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Birthday Weekend in NYC (Part 2): Brooklyn & The Freedom Tower

12/22/2014

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As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I spent my birthday in New York City with Chris. Saturday was probably my favorite day because we enjoyed a sunny day exploring Brooklyn, walking over the Brooklyn bridge (a major highlight) and then finally visited Ground Zero to see the memorial and Freedom Tower.  

Brooklyn
I've met so many wonderful, interesting and (dare I say it) hip people from Brooklyn that I was inclined to spend a little time wandering through this borough that is beloved by so many. Plus, I had never crossed the Brooklyn Bridge on foot and I had to check that off my bucket list! Brooklyn is bustling with a mix of cafes, restaurants, quirky shops, charming row houses, artsy lofts, friendly dogs and a ton of construction.  While we only got a taste of Brooklyn, my favorite part was the spectacular view of Manhattan. 
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One of the many reasons to visit Brooklyn: THAT VIEW! 
We strolled through the upscale neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, stopping in shops along Montague Street, full of holiday shoppers. Everyone here had either a dog, a kid or combination of the two in tow. And they all seemed to know each other, greeting one another by name on the street like they lived in a small town. It's quite different on this side of the bridge! 

My favorite part of this area were the blocks of brick and stone row houses. The streets were lined with tall trees, which was charming to see in person, but made for bad pictures since the home facades were distorted by branch shadows (and not in a good way). I did mange to snap a shot of window that was so big, it accommodated six garden planters on its sill. 
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Brooklyn Heights . So Fancy!
Next we walked to DUMBO which stands for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass". Jerry Seinfeild once joked that Manhattaners added the "Overpass" an the end just so they didn't have a neighborhood called "Dumb". This area is much more industrial and urban compared to Brooklyn Heights. It's home to many of New York's tech companies and creative start-ups, as well as quirky shops, galleries and restaurants. We stopped by a corner cafe to pick up a sandwich and it was here that I discovered my new favorite lunch: spinach wrap with kale, lettuce, tomato, avocado, sprouts and raspberry vinaigrette. I've been making this for myself at least once a day since my visit.
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Lone tree blooming with berries and gold ornaments. 

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View of the Manhattan Bridge.  You may recognize DUMBO as the setting for the movie Vanilla Sky. 
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Found a psychedelic, Chagall-inspired owl in DUMBO.
 
After our late lunch, it was time to cross one of the most iconic bridges in the world. A few fun facts about the Brooklyn Bridge:
  • It is dubbed the "8th Wonder of the World".
  • It took 14 years to complete and cost $15 million. It opened to the public on May 24, 1883.
  • It was the longest suspension bridge until 1903, when the Williamsburg bridge overtook it by 4.5 feet. 
  • There used to be a toll to cross the bridge: 1 penny on foot, 5 cents for a horse and rider and 10 cents for a horse and wagon. The tolls were removed in 1911 and it has been free to cross ever since. 
  • The bridge is home to peregrine falcons - the fastest animals on record, capable of reaching 200 miles per hour. There are 16 recorded pairs of falcons in NYC and the bridge is a regular nesting spot. 
  • In 1884  P.T. Barnum led 21 elephants over the bridge to prove its stability. Now that would have been an incredible photo op!
  • Con man William McCloundy was sentenced to 2.5 years at Sing Sing prison for "selling" the Brooklyn Bridge to a tourist in 1901. This one might be my favorite.
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We turned a corner and this familiar image greeted us!

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Ready to walk the bridge, hot tea in hand!  Despite the sun, It was freezing and I was wearing a ton of layers, including my fleece lined leggings under my jeans - my new favorite winter travel item!

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First thing that pops into my head when I see this picture is Spiderman. Such. A. Nerd.

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The symmetry literally makes me giddy. I love this bridge!
Freedom Tower
The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan's financial district and Ground Zero is a short walk from the bridge ramp. I had not been to this part of Manhattan since I was a kid visiting the twin towers on a day trip from Connecticut. September 11th occurred when I was a senior in college and was a traumatizing experience for me as it was for most of the country. Chris and I were both business students and a few of our classmates from previous years were unfortunately there that tragic morning.  It could have easily been us in the towers, had we graduated one year earlier.  I never had a desire to see Ground Zero until now. After traveling around the world and witnessing so many memorials to such tragic and horrific acts, it was time to pay respect to one of our own country's great tragedies. While this area is still under construction, it is worth seeing, if only to reflect on the gift of life and remember those who left us too soon.
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Two beautiful  trees growing in the cemetery by St. Paul's chapel with the Freedom Tower in the background. A reminder that life grows strong among death. 
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One of the two memorial fountains built where the towers once stood. The names of those souls lost in each tower are engraved around the perimeter. While I have mixed feelings about the choice of design, I'll admit that it makes for a very emotional experience.
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Looking up at the Freedom Tower. From the ground it looks never-ending, like it stretches all the way to heaven. 
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That evening we picked up our car in Manhattan and right before we left, we saw these spectacular colors over the East River.   It was the perfect end to a wonderful birthday!
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Birthday Weekend In New York City (Part 1)

12/22/2014

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It had been over two years since I last set foot in Manhattan. I'm well acquainted with Manhattan, but we've historically had a very professional relationship. I used to travel to NYC often for my previous job, which basically meant working at my office in Chelsea all day followed by an occasional dinner and/or drinks in Chelsea, only to return to my hotel to work again in - you guessed it - Chelsea. Two jobs ago, I worked in mid-town three days a week and, during college, I spent a summer working right across from Grand Central station. It's been a long time since I've visited NYC simply to wander around.

When Chris asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, I asked if we could go to NYC without any plans. I just wanted to walk around, see the holiday decorations and maybe stop by a few attractions I've never visited. We were there from Thursday - Saturday and luckily had sunny (albeit cold) weather. Here is what I did:

Thursday: 
- Arrived by noon. Lunched with a friend in Grand Central. 
- NY Public Library
- Bryant Park Ice Rink & Christmas Tents

- Rockefeller Plaza & Saks 5th Avenue 

Friday:
- Breakfast bagels from Ess-a-Bagel
- Walked through Central Park to the Guggenheim
- Walked from Midtown to NoLita (area north of Little Italy), strolled through shops
- Dinner at Il Buco (fabulous rustic ambiance, wonderful service, and tasty small plates)
- After-dinner stroll through Little Italy

Saturday:
- Brooklyn & Ground Zero/Freedom Tower (More on this soon!)

Hotel: The Tuscany
We stayed in mid-town at The Tuscany hotel and I can't say enough good things about this place. It was reasonably-priced (for New York), the location was fabulous (39th between Park & Lex), the staff was super friendly, and our room was fabulous- particularly the view from our balcony! 
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[Pictured Above] We had a perfect view of the Empire State Building from the balcony along our room at The Tuscany.

It was the perfect low-key, unplanned weekend I had hoped for.  Here are a few pictures from my adventures in Manhattan on Thursday & Friday: 
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New York Public Library

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I saw more people reading phones than books at the New York Public Library.  I was a little underwhelmed by the library since half the rooms with stacks were off limits but I enjoyed the beautiful paintings on the upper floor.
 
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I adore this black and gold building along Bryant Park. Gorgeous! 

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Christmas in New York - there is nothing else like it! 

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Sorry Dunkies,, but the NYC delis serve the best bagels. I had to wait in a long line at Ess-a-Bagel on Friday  morning, but it was worth it (and the owner passes out free samples while you wait)!  I had a whole wheat bagel and cream cheese while Chris enjoyed an egg, bacon & cheese bagel. The bagels were fantastic. The coffee, on the other hand, was almost undrinkable. 

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Cold, but sunny day in Central Park. 

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Site of my very first business lunch.

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Frank Lloyd Wright's spectacular Guggenheim Museum.  My favorite piece - Light Ballet - was part of the Zero exhibit. I watched it, mesmerized, for a whole ten minutes. 

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The cozy, rustic interior of Il Buco on Bond Street - perfect for a cold December evening.   Since it was my birthday, our waiter surprised me with a panna cotta drizzled with balsamic vinegar. 

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Chili pepper wreath at Il Buco.  I'm stealing this idea next Christmas!

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LIttle Italy goes all out during Christmas - lights everywhere! 

Stay tuned for more NYC adventures and photos - including Brooklyn and the Freedom Tower!
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Currently Dreaming About: Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

12/15/2014

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I recently caught up with a fellow traveler friend of mine who had just returned from a trip to Croatia. We talked about her fabulous itinerary, the delicious food and wine (heavily influenced by Italy), and the recent tumultuous history of the region. One of the stops on her Croatian adventure was the Plitvice Lakes, the oldest national park in Southeast Europe.  She described it as a green forest with hiking trails weaving through endless waterfalls.  After looking it up online, I was ready to book a flight. Check out a few pictures of this storybook forest below and I bet you will too! 
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Photo above by Jack Brauer Photography. 
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Photo credit: Lerablog.org
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Photo by Jokin Romero.
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Thanksgiving Weekend Round-Up

12/8/2014

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Thanksgiving weekend brought us chilly, but colorful weather in New England.  In just a few days I was fortunate enough to see an otherworldly sunrise in Massachusetts and a sky exploding with color in coastal Connecticut. Here are a few of my favorite shots from our New England weekend:
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[Above]  Sunrise over a fresh coat of snow on Thanksgiving morning in central Massachusetts.   [Below]  Pictures from our sunset walk around Cove Island in Stamford, Connecticut. 
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[Below] Thirty-something family members packed into my parent's house on Thanksgiving day.  My cousin, Frances, said it best:  "It's the first year without our matriarch, Grandma Bernie, but we still managed to get most of the family together for another amazing Thanksgiving."   I like to think Grandma was there with us in spirit, smiling at the wonderful family she and Grandpa created:)
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Special thanks to both Chris' parents and my parents for hosting a very special holiday. We know it was a lot of work and we really appreciate it!  
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Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers

12/1/2014

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Happy Cyber Monday! Every year savvy shoppers avoid the mayhem in stores by holiday shopping online. I once enjoyed in-store holiday shopping, admiring the the elaborate decorations and humming along to holiday music. Those days are long gone and now shopping after Thanksgiving is more like an exercise in dodging the crazies - like the sturdy grandma channeling Rob Gronkowski, shoving her way past store patrons while practically punting a small child in order to get to a TV. Or the lady in front of me in line who decided to pay for a cartful of products with DIMES. 

Online shopping after Thanksgiving is the path of least resistance.  
However, the vast selection online can be overwhelming, so I often search for curated gift guides from people with interests similar to the intended gift recipient. Since I've spent a lot of time traveling, I thought I'd list a handful of gift suggestions for those of you with travelers in your lives.   So pour yourself a cup of coffee, curl up on your couch and enjoy shopping knowing you don't have to deal with the dime lady and Granny Gronk!
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1. Go Pro Hero 4 Silver - The one item I wish I'd purchased before my trip around the world. Still kicking myself for not splurging on this one!

2. Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote - I used this bag daily during my trip around the world. It's easy to clean, durable, surprisingly comfortable and it folds into the size of an envelope making it easy to pack. 

3. Globe Trotter Safari Trolley Case - For those of you with REALLY deep pockets, check out this DIVINE suitcase. This is the most beautiful piece of luggage I've ever seen, and at a $1K+ price tag, it'd better be. 

4. LePow Moonstone - Chris' brother gave us this portable charger last year and we use it all the time. Travelers often rely on electronics, so a back up battery is super handy. Plus I love the sleek, simple design of the Moonstone.

5. Perfume or Cosmetic Samplers - Frequent travelers love mini-sized bottles of their favorite fragrances and cosmetics. Try Jo Malone's cologne collection for a nice variety of scents.

6. Travel Book - I love Lonley Planet's 1,000 Ultimate Experiences. Chris and I often revisit the book to dream about our future adventures. 

7. Sholdit Houndstooth Scarf-Purse - I love versatile clothing for travel. This eternity scarf has a hidden pocket for a small phone or wallet and the houndstooth pattern is perfect for fall & winter travel.


8. Push Pin Map - Travelers love to record and re-live where they've been. This simple, neutral push pin map would look great in many homes  and the "Adventure Awaits" title serves as a constant reminder to get back out there and explore.  Plus it makes for a great conversation piece when guests visit. 
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    Eva has been traveling for 15+ years, including an 8 month journey around the world.  

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