Evening at Times Square and Ground Zero
As the NJ Transit bus rounded the elevated curve leading to the Lincoln Tunnel, Mid-Town Manahttan came into view basking in the afternoon sun. The bus arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the world's busiest bus station, on 8th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets.
We headed along 42nd street in the direction of Times Square. Attractions that made Times Square famous soon came into view: Madame Tussads', Ripley's, and One Times Square where the New Years Eve ball is dropped. The New Amsterdam Theatre, one of the oldest still-operating Broadway theatres, is now a venue for live Disney musicals and was showing Mary Poppins: the Musical.
Times Square was as bright as ever with throngs of people enjoyng the pleasant evening.
After more exploration of Tmes Square and the nearby Theatre District, we walked up Broadway, crossing over to Seventh Avenue for dinner at Carnegie Deli.
We all wanted to see Ground Zero this evening. We took the subway Downtown to Chambers Street where we could walk to the Ground Zero site. I led the way, first down then down West Broadway. The PATH station appeared and beyond it the open space of Ground Zero. It had changed since 2004, and was now largely a construction site. Still, the size of the empty parcel and its meaning gives one pause.
Across Church Street, St. Paul's Chapel could be seen in the darkness. St. Paul's was built in 1766, modeled after St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London. Located directly across the street from the World Trade Center towers, it remarkably survived the devastation surrounding it on 9/11. In hte weeks following, St. Paul's became a center for rescue and recovery workers and for people searching for family and friends.
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Pastrami. Corned beef. Roast beef. They are the traditional sandwich staples here. (Many other sandwich varieties are also on the menu.) Be aware that the individual portions are huge! Susan and I shared a regular hot pastrami sandwich and side of potato salad rather than order a larger combo meal sandwich. (There is a $3 charge for sharing, but there is so much food, it is worth it.) Julia had a (footlong) hot dog and French fries. Naturally, a dish of pickles is found at each table. We eschewed ordering one of the huge slices of cheesecake!
The pastrami was tender and delicious! As good as deli sandwiches are at home, they're nothing like the real thing!
Service is fast. If the waiters are somewhat brusque, it's part of the ambiance (and they get the food out quickly). Also adding to the ambiance are the many autographed photos of celebrities from entertainment and politics. Everyone has eaten here, from Al Gore to Joel Grey to Jennifer Lopez!
Carnegie Deli accepts only cash. No credit cards. The waiters do remind you to leave their tip on the table. (They probably are used to being stiffed.)
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