As the more observant among you will have perhaps noticed from the video above, we began our first full day in NY with a trip to the top (or nearly) of the Empire State Building; the city's most iconic symbol. As can also be seen, the views were truly awesome, made all the better by the fine, bright morning weather. Luckily, our host Roger had given us a crowd-beating tip off - go first thing in the morning -and so, although any potential lie-ins were sacrificed, we didn't have to wait too long to get up there. The hundreds of people lining up outside the door when we were leaving hadn't been as well advised.
From there, we headed even further 'downtown', as all true New Yorkers seem to do. Our destination was the city's 'financial district', which is home to many an impressive skyscraper. It's also happens to be home to many a mexican food stand. As we found out to our peril, these stands don't tend to offer either still drinking water (according to one moustache-adorned mexican, only sparkling is available in the US), or bacon sandwiches (considered 'breakfast' items) after 12 noon. Alas, a hot dog and bagels had to do. However, all was not lost, as our lunch was completely recovered from its tragic status by simply being in the right place at the right time. This lunchtime, in the district, was the grand opening of 'Yorganic', a yoghurt and smoothie parlour where - you guessed it - the ingredients are 100% organic. As a friendly opening-day offer, they were giving away free frozen yogurts with fruit, and so this made a convenient (and completely delicious) dessert for us. Visit www.eatyorganic.com for more details. And they didn't pay us to say that. Finally on the lunch front - today's food trivia challenge (following on from yesterday's runaway success spinach question) is...what is Falafel? All the food stands had an ample supply (and demand) of this mysterious meaty treat.
Whilst downtown, a highlight was looking across to the statue of liberty, based on it's eponymous island. This was another attraction to tick off the iconic symbol list, and it is interestingly much smaller than is commonly perceived. However, it's still a marvelous piece of work, and was essential viewing whilst here.
Before the tragic events of seven years ago, of course, the financial district was also home to the World Trade Center - the twin towers that dominated the skyline. We next headed over to ground zero to pay our respects to those who lost their lives, and took great interest in the memorials there. Work is now clearly underway for a new construction project - when finished in 2011, 'Freedom Tower' will be the world's tallest building, at a staggering 1,776 feet. It will also be a large statement to the world, on America's behalf.
Our next mission was to head back uptown to get changed back at the house for an evening jam (please note - jam is of course the slang term for a spontaneous game of frisbee freestyle) with the New York players. We showed our lack of subway experience by boarding the wrong train twice - this extended a journey that should have been simple by about 40 minutes, but we got there in the end.
We were in for an eventful evening. The turnout from the NY jammers was great, even though we were trying to tempt them out on a tuesday, when normal jamming day is strictly thursday! We were joined on Central Park by Rob, Roger, Joey, Tall Paul, Brad, Lou, Kevin and J. We had a fantastic time, one of the best jams we've ever had, and one that we'll never forget. We really appreciated all the guys showing up, even the ones who weren't jamming - it was great to meet them all. Midway through the jam, the conditions took an interesting twist. The rain began to fall, but the temperature stayed high; a true mix of British and US weather. This was, of course, no trouble to the freestylers though, and we continued to nail the moves in the downpour. The conditions continued to shift, and, as the sun shone through the rain, a stunning rainbow was formed. Astonishingly, it was a full rainbow that actually started and finished in the meadow (field, for UK readers) where we were playing, and seeing this was a lifetime first for all of us, and made the whole jam session even more memorable. You can see it partially on the photo below, although it had moved slightly by the time we got the cameras out.
Obviously, the day could only be finished off in one place - the bar (but don't worry parents, we're not old enough to drink over here). After our long jam, a grilled barbecue chicken sandwich was the order of the day, and went down nicely with a televised Yankees baseball game, and good conversation with our frisbee counterparts.
Best wishes to you all back home,
We'll update again you tomorrow...
J&J
P.S. Click on each photo to see a full size version!
From there, we headed even further 'downtown', as all true New Yorkers seem to do. Our destination was the city's 'financial district', which is home to many an impressive skyscraper. It's also happens to be home to many a mexican food stand. As we found out to our peril, these stands don't tend to offer either still drinking water (according to one moustache-adorned mexican, only sparkling is available in the US), or bacon sandwiches (considered 'breakfast' items) after 12 noon. Alas, a hot dog and bagels had to do. However, all was not lost, as our lunch was completely recovered from its tragic status by simply being in the right place at the right time. This lunchtime, in the district, was the grand opening of 'Yorganic', a yoghurt and smoothie parlour where - you guessed it - the ingredients are 100% organic. As a friendly opening-day offer, they were giving away free frozen yogurts with fruit, and so this made a convenient (and completely delicious) dessert for us. Visit www.eatyorganic.com for more details. And they didn't pay us to say that. Finally on the lunch front - today's food trivia challenge (following on from yesterday's runaway success spinach question) is...what is Falafel? All the food stands had an ample supply (and demand) of this mysterious meaty treat.
Whilst downtown, a highlight was looking across to the statue of liberty, based on it's eponymous island. This was another attraction to tick off the iconic symbol list, and it is interestingly much smaller than is commonly perceived. However, it's still a marvelous piece of work, and was essential viewing whilst here.
Before the tragic events of seven years ago, of course, the financial district was also home to the World Trade Center - the twin towers that dominated the skyline. We next headed over to ground zero to pay our respects to those who lost their lives, and took great interest in the memorials there. Work is now clearly underway for a new construction project - when finished in 2011, 'Freedom Tower' will be the world's tallest building, at a staggering 1,776 feet. It will also be a large statement to the world, on America's behalf.
Our next mission was to head back uptown to get changed back at the house for an evening jam (please note - jam is of course the slang term for a spontaneous game of frisbee freestyle) with the New York players. We showed our lack of subway experience by boarding the wrong train twice - this extended a journey that should have been simple by about 40 minutes, but we got there in the end.
We were in for an eventful evening. The turnout from the NY jammers was great, even though we were trying to tempt them out on a tuesday, when normal jamming day is strictly thursday! We were joined on Central Park by Rob, Roger, Joey, Tall Paul, Brad, Lou, Kevin and J. We had a fantastic time, one of the best jams we've ever had, and one that we'll never forget. We really appreciated all the guys showing up, even the ones who weren't jamming - it was great to meet them all. Midway through the jam, the conditions took an interesting twist. The rain began to fall, but the temperature stayed high; a true mix of British and US weather. This was, of course, no trouble to the freestylers though, and we continued to nail the moves in the downpour. The conditions continued to shift, and, as the sun shone through the rain, a stunning rainbow was formed. Astonishingly, it was a full rainbow that actually started and finished in the meadow (field, for UK readers) where we were playing, and seeing this was a lifetime first for all of us, and made the whole jam session even more memorable. You can see it partially on the photo below, although it had moved slightly by the time we got the cameras out.
Obviously, the day could only be finished off in one place - the bar (but don't worry parents, we're not old enough to drink over here). After our long jam, a grilled barbecue chicken sandwich was the order of the day, and went down nicely with a televised Yankees baseball game, and good conversation with our frisbee counterparts.
Best wishes to you all back home,
We'll update again you tomorrow...
J&J
P.S. Click on each photo to see a full size version!
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7 comments:
Wow boys
what a first day, food seems to becoming a recurring challenge, glad you got the free smoothies dad will be proud of you! great to see the pictures of the other jammers, Roger sounds a wise man, what great hospitality!
love mum xxfbzzpgz
Great Blog and photos boys. You have now proved that the the early birds do indeed get the Worm if not the Falafel.
I will leave the full explanation of this culinary delight to Jake, but as something of a 'closet skyscraper techie' I do have to take you up on the bogus 'Freedom tower' info.
Not only have the Arabs obviously cornered the fast food market in downtown NY, but they also have by far the largest skyscraper, and although still under construction the Burj Dubai is already over 2000 feet(see http://www.burjdubaiskyscraper.com/2008/07July/BurjJuly2906.jpg ).
Anyway, great to hear that all is well.
Love Dad (Greg)
Sounds like you guys are getting on really well and it's great to see the pictures and whatnot!
Keep us updated on anymore food dilemmas as when I was over there at easter I found it a nightmare buying any food that served less than 20 people in one go, so I'd be interested to see how you find it!
Don't forget to say "bathroom" instead of loo.
Love Beth (Joe's Sister)
PS. Joe, did I buy a falafel off you yesterday? :)
Well, I do relish a culinary challenge (no pun intended).
So here goes – the low down on the famous Falafel:
An Introduction to an Israeli Icon of Ingesta.
The Falafel is a fried ball or patty made from spiced fava beans and/or chickpeas. It is a popular form of fast food in the Middle East. It is also an iconic Palestinian food and considered a national food in Israel.
History
The word "falafel" is the plural of the Arabic word meaning "pepper".
Falafel originated in Egypt, where it was first made with fava beans as the base. As the dish migrated northwards to Syria and Palestine (presumably not by itself), chickpeas were introduced instead. Falafel was consumed by Arabs of all religious denominations, including Arabic speaking Jews in Egypt and Syria.
As if to show just how trendy this food really is, I can exclusively reveal that in Batman Begins Flass, the crooked cop, buys and steals from a falafel vendor. Oof.
Well there you have it. I hope your intercontinental trip has been made all the more fulfilling now that you are armed with such knowledge.
Nice to see the photos and vid - the commandeering of that mirror was simply inspired.
Hope you continue to have such a good time, and I think a Good Luck Joe too for tomorrow's results is in order - whatever they may be. I will be in touch. John - I don't think you've got any results to worry about but if things go badly for Joe then Good Luck to you too - he may take some consoling! :P
Until tomorrow young sirs, :D
Jake
x
Well done boys – brilliant blog and photos. I was so thrilled about the rainbow! God’s promise to us that all will be well…except I think Noah is building his ark on our ‘dug up’ driveway, it’s that wet here! As our great English poet wrote..”my heart lifts when I behold a rainbow in the sky”..(William Wordsworth)..on our kitchen wall too! Well he didn’t write it there, but we have a picture!
“It seems there’s still more nectar to be squeezed from New York’s overblown fro-yo trend”…no that’s not a quote from our scientist Jake….but from www.yorganic.com!
Jake’s busy tonight rooting out his ‘video’ he took last month from the top of Blackpool Tower..for ‘our blog’..! Keep going Jake, and best of luck for to-morrow’s results to, not that you will need it of course.
These ere 'blogs' are very well written.
Hello Joseph and John..its Jen. (A nice trilogy of J's) I went on your myspace and found this site thing and will def. be checking them daily!
You sound like your having an incredible time, despite you just getting there! My favorite pic being the last one posted :) No need to ask if your both well as I am sure you more than well..lucky jotters. Enjoy yourselves....I'm so jealous!!
Speak soon.
xxx
(P.s Good luck tomorrow Joe, although I'm sure it won't be needed.)
Looks like your timing was great. I pressed y'all to put in a Thursday here in NYC, but I am looking out at pouring rain after the two beautiful days we had. I will be heading out regardless to jam and get wet, but want to say thanks to the two of you for coming by the Big Apple.
As you host I was very impressed by the calm manner the two of you tackled what many think is a scary place. It was also great just as it brought back my own memories of Frisbee travels at your age.
Just to let your folks know, Joe and John were great guests and I was happy to have them aboard. You have raised two great young adults.
NYC Host - Roger
ps - Congrats on your marks Joe. Dexterity and brains, what a combination.
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