(Reposting this particular blog as I remember the fantastic time had in the most fascinating city on the planet! I pray that everyone and everything is where they should be--safe, in NYC and in every town/city affected by Sandy. To be elderly, disabled, alone, or young, and scared of such natural disasters is a horrible thought! Much love and blessings and may everyone help one another through as we should.)
But it kicked my butt!!!
There was an instant realization that I could NEVER live in a large city again where everyone says, "It's just a 10 minute walk from here."
Not at the pace I walk, it isn't. I found myself trying to stay in the right lane of walkers, the slow lane. No one told me THERE ISN'T A SLOW LANE! So I tried my best to stay out of the way of those with good healthy working legs, barely being trampled or shoved out of the way, and showing my 'touristness' by saying "excuse me" and "sorry".
All in all, when you think of large cities like New York or Chicago, you think of getting around as rather easy. I'm here to tell you that when you have any type of disability, it can be rough. There is a lot of walking, climbing stairs, getting on, getting off, moving out of the way, quickening your steps crossing streets or catching buses or trains or elevators, bending, squeezing through, standing, waiting...Sheesh, I'm exhausted just thinking about it again.
My challenge is coming up here. There is a commercial ad on TV that has women wearing a bell bracelet while they move through their day. I challenge everyone to actually pay attention to EVERY move you make, including getting yourself ready for the day, and to write it down. You have my permission to skip the bracelet. That whole 10,000 steps in a day/pedometer requirement is a joke! You do more than you realize if you live in a large city! Kudos to you for getting through it! And, some in high heels!!
Now, imagine that you have a disability or are elderly, that you maybe use a walker. I hope it makes everyone feel a little more compassion and patience when you see someone moving a little slower than you.
On the 'up' side, we did get in the main sites through that WONDERFUL HOHO bus (that's hop-on/hop-off), my daughter and I played Sex and the City in a nightclub, and we swayed around on top of the Empire State Building. Therefore, it is more than worth the weeks of recovery I'll have to go through for it.
I highly recommend Congee Village Restaurant in Chinatown. It's off the main drag of people trying to sell you junk. They actually take you to China through the most authentic food and atmosphere!
There are musicians at the Liberty and Ellis Islands ferry and amazing undiscovered talent in Battery Park! So much to see and to do and to appreciate...so little time.
If you get to Times Square, on top of the Forever 21 store is a HUGE Jumbotron that you can see yourself on from across the street! We had a blast with that! I've always known I was destined for the big screen! Although, I look quite small here. I can't even tell which is ME.
Of course, my dear husband, who protected me and helped me SO much through the trip, mainly wanted pizza. And BOY did he have pizza....like everyday! It made me happy because it was his birthday week and he got pretty much everything he wanted.
Bottom line is it's such a fun and exciting city that offers everything you could ever want on earth but I wouldn't want to live there.
However, I have begun my Physical Therapy sessions. When I regain my balance and strength in my legs, watch out Big Apple! I'm gonna take you on again, the right way!
But it kicked my butt!!!
There was an instant realization that I could NEVER live in a large city again where everyone says, "It's just a 10 minute walk from here."
Not at the pace I walk, it isn't. I found myself trying to stay in the right lane of walkers, the slow lane. No one told me THERE ISN'T A SLOW LANE! So I tried my best to stay out of the way of those with good healthy working legs, barely being trampled or shoved out of the way, and showing my 'touristness' by saying "excuse me" and "sorry".
All in all, when you think of large cities like New York or Chicago, you think of getting around as rather easy. I'm here to tell you that when you have any type of disability, it can be rough. There is a lot of walking, climbing stairs, getting on, getting off, moving out of the way, quickening your steps crossing streets or catching buses or trains or elevators, bending, squeezing through, standing, waiting...Sheesh, I'm exhausted just thinking about it again.
My challenge is coming up here. There is a commercial ad on TV that has women wearing a bell bracelet while they move through their day. I challenge everyone to actually pay attention to EVERY move you make, including getting yourself ready for the day, and to write it down. You have my permission to skip the bracelet. That whole 10,000 steps in a day/pedometer requirement is a joke! You do more than you realize if you live in a large city! Kudos to you for getting through it! And, some in high heels!!
Now, imagine that you have a disability or are elderly, that you maybe use a walker. I hope it makes everyone feel a little more compassion and patience when you see someone moving a little slower than you.
On the 'up' side, we did get in the main sites through that WONDERFUL HOHO bus (that's hop-on/hop-off), my daughter and I played Sex and the City in a nightclub, and we swayed around on top of the Empire State Building. Therefore, it is more than worth the weeks of recovery I'll have to go through for it.
I highly recommend Congee Village Restaurant in Chinatown. It's off the main drag of people trying to sell you junk. They actually take you to China through the most authentic food and atmosphere!
There are musicians at the Liberty and Ellis Islands ferry and amazing undiscovered talent in Battery Park! So much to see and to do and to appreciate...so little time.
If you get to Times Square, on top of the Forever 21 store is a HUGE Jumbotron that you can see yourself on from across the street! We had a blast with that! I've always known I was destined for the big screen! Although, I look quite small here. I can't even tell which is ME.
Of course, my dear husband, who protected me and helped me SO much through the trip, mainly wanted pizza. And BOY did he have pizza....like everyday! It made me happy because it was his birthday week and he got pretty much everything he wanted.
Bottom line is it's such a fun and exciting city that offers everything you could ever want on earth but I wouldn't want to live there.
However, I have begun my Physical Therapy sessions. When I regain my balance and strength in my legs, watch out Big Apple! I'm gonna take you on again, the right way!
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