Next morning we head out in search of breakfast. We are given some advice on the elevator to stick to McDonald’s as the breakfast over hear is not that great and to save the $$ for dinner. We heed the warning and go in search of one. Along the way, I get side tracked at a little bakery and pick up some goodies, cheese scone and chocolate hazelnut muffin. They are amazing and this spot becomes my favourite breakfast stop for the rest of the trip. We decide it’s a day for strolling Central Park so we head in that direction. Ayrlie spots it first and lets out an excited squeal. It’s the horse and carriage rides. Looks like we will be crossing off the second thing on our to do list. She picks the prettiest carriage, white with flourishes of purple. The pony even has purple feathers on it’s head dress. We snuggle under the blanket and set off around the park. We get a quick tour with some of the sights pointed out, trump ice rink, Central Park zoo etc.. we even see some more squirrels much to the kids delight.
The temp is dropping fast and we realise we aren’t dressed warm enough so head back to the hotel early. Being such a big place you’d think you could find somewhere for dinner easily, nope it takes two hours but we settle on sushi. Luckily we find a place just around the corner. It ends up being lovely and we chat to the ladies beside us while we eat. They are a grandmother with her two grand daughters and she is completely taken with the kids. When they are leaving, she comes to the table and explains that she is Jewish, and that they celebrate Hanukkah. She then gives the kids the Hanukkah gift of money so that they will remember her. It’s a super touching moment. With promises to save some and spend some of the money, we finish our meals with good feeling in our tummy. We decide to go see the famed tree a the rockefeller centre. It’s not to far but with the night crowds takes an hour to walk there. Finally we arrive and are completely underwhelmed. It’s just a normal tree that someone stuck lights on. No decorations, no star on top, just some red and green lights. My tree at home looks better! The ice skating rink is not much bigger than a tennis court and the line up is hours long. Well that’s not happening! We get bailed up by a security guard whom is again taken by the kids and he proceeds to give them a ‘life lesson’ talking to. The kids are told to work hard, not be lazy, and do as they are told. He tells them that he comes from Romania, grew up very poor and knows what he is talking about. After promises to slave at learning with no fun ever, we escape back to the room to snuggle with hot chocolates and a movie and to wonder why the hell we decide to spend 5 whole days here! 😳
