24/3/13 – Welcome to NYC Bo and Kristie

Despite our late arrival last night, we woke up early this morning because today’s the day we get to take Bo and Kristie around NYC. They arrived yesterday and were still on Perth time when we met on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at 10am. They had woken very early indeed and to fill in time they already done a walk through Central Park and done ‘Top of the Rock’.  But by the time we met none of us had yet had breakfast, so we took a walk over to Café Buchon at the Time Warner Centre.

Unfortunately the café was full but we managed to grab some snacks, and a fantastic view of Columbus Circle and Central Park, at the bar upstairs. After catching up on all the news and gossip from Perth we took a walk down 5^th Avenue, in and out of the Apple Store and then down past the shops of the rich and famous before turning into 42^nd street and walking down to Park Avenue. This is the intersection where the Vanderbilt family built Grand Central Terminal. Bo and Kristie took the guided tour before we met up at the tracks bar in Penn Station (whenever we are going to an ice hockey game at Madison Square Gardens this place has become our prefered venue for pre-game beers and burgers). Unfortunately, by this time Bo was nearly asleep in his fries, but we were hopeful he would last out the game.

Tonight the Rangers (NYC’S Ice Hockey team) were playing host to the Washington Capitals. We were pleased to have been able to get the same seats as last time as we were keen for Bo and Kristie to see Larry (Ranger’s Dancing Fan) in action. What we didn’t expect was the sensational performance from the guys from New Jersey who were seated behind us. They were funny last time we were at the game with Hans and Sue but on this occasion they were on fire!

They took fans from both sides apart with stinging barbs and then when one of their own was late he copped a barrage of witty cracks as well. But they left the best for us – well Peter actually. At the first break, Peter who, as a proud Western Australian, was wearing his favourite black and gold striped rugby jumper, went to get some beers but on his way back he accidently came up the wrong staircase and found himself one block over, looking the wrong way.

As he looked for us he was spotted by the ‘Jersey Boys’ who cried out for all to hear “hey bumble bee ... she’s over here!” at first Peter didn’t hear them but the crowd did and what followed was a hilarious effort to get Peter’s attention. It was gold. Larry danced for the team but unfortunately, despite his best efforts the Rangers lost a very close and exciting game in a penalty shoot-out. eventually, after nearly three hours of hockey, we took an absolutely exhausted Bo and Kristie back to their B&B at the corner of Lex and 101 – great location and nice digs!