New York Day 1

I have just returned from a 10 day trip to East USA. It started with three days in New York before joining a trip around the sights of Eastern USA. This is my 2nd visit to NY so I didn't have to dash around trying to visit all the tourist sights.
Flying with BA is always a calm experience as is the process of going through security even though I am always searched.( Wearing a money belt under my clothes was probably not the most sensible as the woman searching me took a step back when she felt it. Possible thoughts of a suicide belt may have crossed her mind!) Arriving on the other side however is a nightmare. We queued for one and a half hours to get through immigration. May I suggest that JFK airport needs more immigration staff on duty? The trip into the city wasn't too bad traffic -wise and we were welcomed with terrific nighttime views of the city. We had booked two rooms at the Travel Inn in Midtown Manhattan but when we arrived they had decided to cancel one! Not a great start but they did have another room available so all was well. Good night's sleep and we were ready to start exploring New York.

Travelling on the subway is easy once you understand the different lines. It is much cheaper here than London but not as extensive. First on the list for today was the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side.

The streets of New York are full of Art Deco buildings and designs.

Murals brighten up boring concrete blocks.

Gambling adverts and a Buddhist Temple seemed to be strange bedfellows.

Then we arrived at the Tenement Museum in Orchard Street. This 1863 tenement was home to 7000 immigrants and is now a Museum. It tells the history of the building through the experiences of people who lived there. We followed the lives of an Irish family who moved into this block in the 1870s. Along with everyone else living here they had a kitchen, living room and bedroom. By today's standards the rooms were tiny and dark with no ventilation and only one window per apartment. It was an interesting insight into life for immigrants in the late 19th cent with similar comparisons to  the immigrants of today trying to make a better life for themselves.

The tenement building across the road from the museum is now a hotel and cafe. The perfect place for a sit down and drink.

We wandered off to see Chelsea Market which is in a converted biscuit factory. It was full of purveyors of specialist foods which were difficult to resist but we had just eaten so plans were made to return later in the week to try out the delicious looking shell fish on offer.

The weather was warm and sunny so the ideal time for a walk on the High Line. This converted disused railway line is now a garden walk. It is above the meat packing district and gives great views down the streets below.

The Empire State building in the distance.

Even views of Penn station

I waited until the evening before enjoying the lights and sights around Times Square.

No mistaking which city I am in from this photo.

The end of a long but exciting day.