Don't Judge the Short NYC Trip (Part 2): Broadway, Midtown Manhattan, and Little Italy

- April 11-13, 2017, Tuesday to Thursday.

- The first half of my oh-so-short trip to NYC (click here) was just a teaser for my family. Though we were able to visit some iconic landmarks, my family was still not able to experience the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. One of the best places to experience this is in Midtown Manhattan, particularly Times Square.

- One the morning of a cold and sunny Tuesday, we were dropped off near the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). If going there by subway, one can reach MoMA by riding any train that stops at 5th Ave.-53rd St., or any train that stops at the Rockefeller Center.

- The museum was still closed when we got there, so we visited the nearby St. Patrick's Cathedral. The iconic neo-gothic cathedral was built in the mid-1800s, and has been visited by two popes: Pope John Paul VI and Pope Francis. It is also the main seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of NYC, making it one of the most (if not the most) important church in NYC. There are also some churches nearby that may be mistaken for St. Patrick's Church. To not get lost, there are several markers. One, it is right across the Atlas Statue of the Rockefeller Center, and two, it has the flag of the Vatican hanging at the facade of the church. (Better photos of the church's interior from my previous visit, click here.)

The Atlas Statue.

The really really tall Rockefeller Center

St. Patrick's Cathedral.

I love the interior.

- We visited some nearby shops to kill time before visiting MoMA. MoMA was my sister's kind of museum since it featured modern art; my kind of art would be the ones in the Met. Since the early 1920s, MoMA has been continuously expanding and showcasing some of the world's most famous modern artworks - crowd favorites include Dali's "The Persistence of Memory," van Gogh's "The Starry Night," and Matisse' "Dance," Warhol's "Campbell Soup Cans," among others. My favorites were Dali's and Van Gogh's works. Apart from these, the museum also has contemporary art that I sometimes cannot comprehend, like paintings with just one line or one circle.

Dali.

With Frida Kahlo.

Matisse.

Of course, van Gogh.

- After having lunch at the museum cafe of MoMA, we went to Times Square and rested while escaping the early afternoon heat. Spring weather is really strange - cold during the morning and the evening (which I love), and warm during the early afternoon (which I hate.) I also think this was the warmest day during my short stay in NYC. By the way, going to Times Square directly is easy, since many train lines stop at the Times Square metro station.

The Philippine consulate along 5th Avenue; the embassy is in Washington D.C.

The Marquis Theatre, where Hamilton is showing. We were not able to get tickets to Hamilton because of the sheer demand. The next available tickets are for next year!!

The Schuyler Sisters.

The closest to Hamilton I can get. Well, I'm not the biggest fan anyway, though I kinda like it. My favorite song is "The Schuyler Sisters."

Times Square and its crowded glory.

-  We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Times Square and buying souvenirs from Grand Slam. Grand Slam is located beside the red stairs where people go up and take pictures of Times Square. It has a wide range of souvenirs with the best deals. At around 5pm, we had an early dinner at Junior's so we'd have time to rest before watching our plays in the evening. Junior's is famous for its cheesecake, though it also has a restaurant for full meals. I wasn't able to eat here before since there were just too many people. This time, since we ate at an off-peak hour, we were seated immediately. Junior's is located beside Minskoff Theatre, where the Lion King is currently showing.

- My mom, sister, and aunt watched The Lion King, which I did in 2015, so this time I chose to watch Miss Saigon at the Broadway Theatre with my dad (which my mom and sister did, when Miss Saigon came to Manila many years ago.) I was lucky that Eva Noblezada (Kim), Alistair Brammer (Chris), and Jonjon Briones (The Engineer) were set to perform. Too bad Rachelle Ann Go, who used to play Gigi, is now doing Hamilton in West End (i.e. in London) as Eliza Schuyler.

THE HEAT IS ON IN SAIGON.

You are sunlight, and I moon.

Whyyyy Godddddd, why this faceeeeeee.

The dreammmmmm, the dream I long to findddddd, the move in my minddddddd.

They're call Bui Doi, the dust of life.

This is the hour!! This is our land!! We found the power, in our brother's hand!!

So stay with me, and hold me tight, and dance, like it's the last nighttttt of the worldddddd!!

*Wipes happy tears.*

- I had an emotional roller coaster during Miss Saigon. I have seen the whole thing (with Lea Salonga as Kim and the rest of the original cast) in videos online, but watching it live was another thing. I know that there are issues with the story being oppressive against Asians (particularly the Vietnamese) in many ways, but I appreciated the story, the music, and of course, the acting. (I have my own issues with Miss Saigon's story too if I were to be too critical, but at the time, I really just wanted to enjoy the show.) Also, I'd like to take the kid who played Tam home because he's adorable like that (I kid....or not. Hahahaha.)

Big lights will inspire you.

The majestic Times Square policemen.

- My dad and I met everyone else in front of the Minskoff Theatre, and had some time to take photos of Times Square at night before being fetched by my uncle in Times Square. He said it was quite unsafe taking the train late at night, so he didn't mind picking us up at Times Square instead of our usual train station in Queens. Like the days before, upon reaching my aunt's house, I freshened up and didn't take long for me to pass out in bed. At the very least, the next day was a bit more slow-paced.

- The main agenda for the next morning was Midtown Manhattan, starting off with the United Nations Headquarters. This time, there was a slight change in the entrance procedure. Before, people would need to line up in front of the Headquarters in order to get in. Now, there is a small office right across the street from the Headquarters, where people can have their identification check before proceeding to the UN Headquarters. At least it lessens the need to having long lines in front the gate. Since my family wasn't interested in touring the building, we were only allowed to visit the lobby, and the visitor centre, where people can buy UN-related souvenirs. (To see what's inside the UN Headquarters, click here to see my last visit there.) Again, no one is allowed to go around the building unless the person buys a ticket for the guided tour.

I'm back!! Though, I wonder when I'd be here for an official purpose, not just a tourist.

The knotted gun, to symbolize peace.

UN secretary generals.

An origami dove with the UN flag.

If only this were for something official. Haha.

I believe so too.

- During the visit at the visitor centre, I also found out that the United Nations post office stopped stamping on people's passports early this year due to political reasons. Before, people were encouraged to go to the post office and have their passports stamped with the official UN stamp. It's sort of like what the immigration does to your passport. This is because once a person enters any UN premise, they're already considered being in UN's neutral territory (in this case, you're "not" in USA anymore, but on UN soil.)

- From the UN Headquarters, we walked along 42nd Street to reach the Chrysler Building. The Chrysler Building, built in 1930, is well-known because of its Art Deco style, particularly the jagged design of the crown. Last time I went to NYC, I missed going to the Chrysler's lobby. This time, I didn't miss it. The lobby was indeed an artwork by itself, and it might interest those who like modern art. Art Deco style paintings can be seen from floor to ceiling.

Ceiling.

Anther part of the ceiling.

A photo of the well-known crown.

This design similar to the crown can be seen on one of the doors at the lobby.

Exit to Lexington Avenue.

- Right beside the Chrysler Building is the Grand Central Terminal (also known as "Grand Central Station"). This Beaux-Arts style building was built in the early 1900s as a transportation hub. More than a century later, it still serves as a transportation hub apart from a tourist spot. Apart from the metro lines that stop at the Grand Central Station, this is also one of the stations where people can ride long-distance trains (another important transportation hub being the nearby Penn Station.) Apart from the terminal's interiors, another thing people look forward to doing is eating at the international food court at the dining concourse at the basement level.

Am still mesmerized by the interior.

With the Grand Central Clock, and the ceiling.

New York's most famous clock.

The inverted constellations. Although, they tried to cover the mistake by saying that it was how God saw the universe from his POV.

From the outside.

- After lunch, we headed to the Empire State Building at 5th Avenue, between 33rd and 34th Street. It was a few blocks away from the Grand Central Terminal, though for those getting there directly can take the 6 train to 33rd Street, or any metro stopping at 34th Street Herald Square Station. This was the first time that I saw the Empire State Building up close, as I've always seen it from other parts of Manhattan. After all, the best way to get a view of the building is from far away. Most people would purchase tickets to go up the observatory. However, my family and I wanted to see the Empire State Building's facade more, so we opted not to go up. (The tickets can be ridiculously expensive too.) We were a bit curious about the lobby though, so we entered the building's lobby. This Art Deco building was finished a year after the Chrysler Building, and so the lobby shared some similarities with the Chrysler Building.

Passed by NY Public Library, another first for me. Didn't go inside anymore though.

Buildingssssssss.

The Empire State of Mind. I mean, Building.

Inside the lobby. Art Deco everywhereeeee. (Though there was more to see at the lobby of the Chrysler Building.)

- We later headed to Madison Square Garden, since my dad wanted to see it. It was close by anyway, and is accessible through the Herald Square metro station and the Penn Station. We couldn't go inside since we weren't going to watch a game and we also didn't book a tour inside. Well, it was enough for my dad to see it from the outside. At least he's happy.

- We went home early that day since they wanted to rest a bit, and enjoy more of my uncle's good cooking. We also needed some time to fix our things, since it was our last full day in NYC the day after.

- Our last morning's itinerary was a leisurely stroll along Manhattan's Little Italy. Although most New Yorkers will tell you that the "real" Little Italy is in Flushing, Queens, as most Italian-Americans settle there, Manhattan's Little Italy is the historic Little Italy as it was where the early Italian immigrants settled. It is located conveniently beside Chinatown. Most of Little Italy is along Mulberry Street, and is accessible via the 6 line to Spring Street station, the N and R lines to Prince Street station, or any train going to the various Canal Street stations.

Canal Street: where Little Italy meets Chinatown.

- We looked around the shops and souvenir stores in Little Italy, before having a mid-morning snack at Caffe Roma, my favorite Italian coffee shop in Little Italy. It is located at the intersection of Mulberry Street and Broome Street. Not only are their famous for the coffee, but they're also well-loved for their various Italian pastries.

Plenty of piesssss.

Was a pleasure to be back.

Buildings of Little Italy.

Audrey Hepburn mural and her Roman Holiday.

- Later on, we had lunch at Da Nico, a highly-rated restaurant (based on different reviews). I missed their pizza and gnocchi, so I brought my family there. I was glad that they enjoyed the food. Their gnocchi and pizza margherita were still to die for.

Absolutely love the food here.

I think this is a flying unicorn?? Manhattan, you always surprise me.

Giant mural between Chinatown and Little Italy.

- After lunch we walked to Canal Street to catch an R train back home. We arrived around 4 in the afternoon, which gave us enough time to fix our things more, have dinner, and go to the airport.

- I know it's really unusual to have a very short US trip since "it wasn't worth" the flight time (and the plane ticket). Yes, people still scratch heads whenever I tell them about this short trip to America. I myself am still quite puzzled as to why my dad wanted to push through with this trip, though I know it's partly because he wanted to visit my aunt there (though they just saw each other 2 months ago when my aunt visited Manila.) Still, overall I was quite happy that I was able to maximize our stay in NYC. I was also happy that I was able to visit some of the places before, so I didn't have to feel frustrated about the times when my family would opt to not do something because they weren't interested. (In my case, I usually keep myself as interested as possible about anything whenever I travel, just in case I discover something that I never thought I'd be interested in.) I was also overjoyed to visit again one of the cities that really left an impact on me (at least, as a tourist.) New York - especially Manhattan - is bright, outgoing, diverse, and musical, like how I am and will always be. (Please don't forget to check out Part 1 here) of this series!!)