New York

Wednesday, 23 October

The weather was sunny today and we were able to see the tops of some of the buildings we missed yesterday. We had a 2 day pass for the HOHO bus so we hopped on and headed back to the Jewish Museum, which is at about the furthest point on the route. Fortunately it was open today. The museum focuses mainly on Auschwitz and gave a very detailed account of the plight of Jews and others.

We walked back to the Oculus, stopping for a hamburger on the way. Yesterday we didn’t know that it is a subway station and shopping centre, replacing the one destroyed on 9/11. The inside is huge and airy and light and quite beautiful.

Walked by the water to another pickup point for the HOHO and took it to stop 14 on West 14th St. A bit of a hike took us to the KGB Espionage Museum, where we saw all sorts of spy gadgetry, including a lipstick gun, bugging devices and a secret compartment in the heel of a shoe.

On the way back to the bus stop we had a quick look at the High Line, a park built on a disused raised railway line. Couldn’t spend long there as we didn’t want to miss the last bus back.

Ate in Friedman’s, the restaurant at our hotel, and I had a mohito to celebrate our last night in New York. Then up to our room to organise our bits and pieces before the flight home, or to LA in Anne’s case. It has been another big day and we are both exhausted.