\nWe started with a nice leasurely breakfast and then strolled over to Century 21 to do the shopping for the kitchen Maria’s been intending to do for days. The weather is still very cold so I snuggled up in Maria’s bag with just my head sticking out so I could see where we were going.
\nCentury 21 is right next to the World Trade Centre, just across the road from Ground Zero. This is the first time Maria has been back to NY since 9\/11 so she found it very moving.
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\nA viewing fence has been erected around the site so people can watch the progress of the clearing up and rebuilding. A simple monument has beeen created from 2 of the girders and the names of the heroes (firefighters and policemen) who died are listed on black plaques.
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\nThere were quite a few people looking and talking quietly, street vendors are not permited around the site, which is nice ‘cos I’m sure some people would try to make money by selling tasteless ‘souvenirs’.
\nThe area looks strangely small and big at the same time, it is amazing how the buildings around survived, although two of them are still being worked on. We look forward to seeing the new buildings.
\nWe then went to Century 21 and got some real bargains, the kitchen is now much more useable.
\nWe then did our grocery shopping at the Amish Market, it is just as well John was with us otherwise Maria and I might have got carried away.
\nAfter lunch I had another new experience, I had a ride on the NY subway, noisy fast and rather exciting.
\nWe went up to 11th street in the East Village to an art shop to see if we could find a reasonably priced and portable alternative to Maria’s airbrush. Maria tends to get carried away in art shops, her eyes go all glazed and she starts muttering about colour and texture. Luckily John and I were there to control her. We think we got what we needed, she’s going to experiment next week
\nBy this time we were feeling shattered so we just made our way back to the apartment and collapsed. We’re hoping to go to the Met and Katz’ deli tomorrow, I’m really looking forward to it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"