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A very odd thing about being in New York was how recognisable it all felt. As we were driving into New Jersey the first day, Michael and I brainstormed all the tv shows and movies we could think of which were set in New York. There are dozens. And, of course, we see news from NY at home too.

All this pre-conditioning led us to feel strangely familiar when we were there. It’s an iconic city. One of my favourite things in NY was seeing those landmarks. Here are some things we saw:
- 42nd Street and Broadway
- The Empire State Building
- The Chrysler Building (my personal favourite)
- The World Trade Center, site of the Twin Towers
- Central Park
- Tiffany’s on 5th Avenue (lovely to wander around in, although the security guards looked nervous to have the Willo boys thundering around in their genteel premises)
- Macy’s
- Time Square with its electric billboards and the glowing ball
- FAO Schwartz Toy Store and the giant piano
- Grand Central Station
- the subway
- the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- the Museum of Natural History
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Madison Square Gardens (which is a building and not a garden)
- NY Public Library
- The Statue of Liberty
- Ellis Island
- 5th Avenue shops
- yellow taxis
- steam coming out of the manhole covers in the middle of the roads
- Wall St and the Stock Exchange

Karen

Tuesday 29th March by Ethan

First we woke up, had breaky and caught the light rail to a ferry. Then we got on the ferry and went to Ellis Island. Ellis Island is where the immigrants used to go. 12 million immigrants came through there. The immigrants went through tests to see if they could become citizens of America. Only a third of them stayed in New York, the rest went to other places in America. Today 100 million Americans are descended from someone who went there.



Then we hopped back on the ferry and went to Liberty Island. That is where the Statue of Liberty is. On Liberty Island I went up to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty with mum and Aidan. It had a good view but it was cold.



Next we went back down and dad, Luke and Max went up. While they were up there Aidan and I did our Junior Ranger books. They were quiz books and we had to answer about 10 pages of questions!!!!! They were questions like ‘Why is the Statue green?’ and ‘Which country gave the statue to the USA?’ and heaps of others. When we had finished the books (mum did most of Aidan’s) we took them to a national park ranger and she marked them and gave us a Ranger badge for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.


Then dad and Luke and Max came back and we walked around the whole statue and took funny photos (and some serious ones too). Finally we hopped on the ferry, went home, had dinner and went to bed.

Night at the Museum

Well, actually we only visited in the daytime. But we went to three museums while in NY: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Natural History and The Museum of Modern Art.

First up was the Museum of Modern Art. They had a child’s audio tour (love those!) so after we had primed our children not to say in loud voices ‘I could do that!’ or ‘That’s not art!’ or ‘That’s weird/rude’, we did the tour. It was great. It covered the highlights and famous pictures. Just as in Washington, the boys were very excited to see works by artists they’d studied at school – Mondrian, Monet, Pollock, Warhol, Lichenstein and especially Van Gogh – ‘Starry Night’ was there.
I loved the largest Jackson Pollock painting there. I have always liked ‘Blue Poles’ in Canberra and at MoMA they had quite a few of his artworks. (I bought a children’s book about him and read it to Aidan that night. A few days later at the Met Museum of Art, Aidan ran into a room with another Pollock on the wall and stopped dead. He announced ‘Mummy, that’s by Action Jackson. He listened to music then put it on the floor then did paint all around it and swished it’. He was so excited to see it! I was excited that he remembered and recognised it!)



A couple of days later we went to the Museum of Natural History. For those readers above 15, there is a movie called ‘Night at the Museum’ which came out a few years ago where Ben Stiller plays a man who has the job as the night watchman at this museum and at night all the exhibits come alive. The movie is set at this museum (with a bit of the Smithsonian from DC thrown in). Our boys love this movie!

They have a handout where you can find all the characters from the movie and so we had a very happy time, touring the four floors and finding familiar things (we also saw a show in the planetarium). I’m glad we had the tour to do as otherwise this museum would have been overwhelming, it’s huge! We managed to find Teddy (Theodore Roosevelt) on his horse, a mammoth, the life sized blue whale, African animals (all stuffed and displayed in authentic dioramas), Dum Dum the Easter Island statue, Egyptian, Aztec and Incan artifacts, Sacagawea, Dexter the monkey and Rexy the T Rex. We also saw many, many other fascinating, creepy and interesting things and were there until the museum closed. We then left, not wanting to find out if they all do come to life at night!

Finally we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If we had thought the Museum of Natural History was overwhelming, it had nothing on this! It was astounding and quite exhausting. They have there 18 different galleries which each have dozens of rooms within them, with art as diverse as Roman, Greek and Egyptian artifacts thousands of years old to armour to marble sculpture to Tiffany stained glass to furniture to instruments and of course paintings from 2000BC to today. We started out in the Egyptian section and it was awe inspiring. Rooms and rooms of more than 20 000 objects in total. As Luke and I were standing in yet another room full of mummies, sarcophagi, statues etc we decided that we might appreciate it more if we had just seem one mummy. It felt like overload. But at the same time, incredible.




After our Egyptian experience we realised that we couldn’t possibly see everything there (and actually we didn’t want to!) So we ruthlessly cut our touring down to a few galleries (and whatever else we happened to see along the way). We ended up viewing the Arms & Armour, some Tiffany glass, some sculpture, Modern & Contemporary Art and 19th & 20th century European paintings & sculpture. The boys loved the armoury (bodes well for the UK!) and the modern art.


I loved the modern art and the European art – although again, like the Egyptian art, seeing your third and fourth room full of paintings by Monet/Renoir/Cezanne/Degas is a bit numbing. But a room full of Degas bronze sculptures was beautiful – horses, bathers and dancers. The boys were excited to see his Little Dancer sculpture – they recognized her from a fridge magnet at Nana and Grandpa’s! And they loved seeing The Thinker by Rodin.



So at the end of three museums, we had seen treasures, walked for miles, been enriched, and exhausted, and yet still managed to be thankful for the chance to be here in NY and seeing these things.

Karen

Friday 25th March 2011 by Luke

Today we woke up early and had breakfast and got dressed. We walked down to the harbor, and caught a ferry across the Hudson River into New York, the big Apple. We hopped off onto Wall Street, where the Stock Exchange takes place. There were people everywhere in suits, yellow taxis honking at each other, and huge skyscrapers blocking out the sun, meaning it was -2°C. dad went down into the subway to get us some tickets, because our walking tour was going to go through the subway as well. We walked down Wall St, until we got to a huge statue of George Washington outside a building. This was where our tour was going to begin. I noticed while waiting that all the grates had steam coming out of them, like something in the sewer was burning below.

After about 10 minutes our guide arrived, a man called Derek. He introduced himself and we went into the building behind us, called the Federal Hall. It turns out that George Washington was made the first president in this building, which was why it had the big statue of him out the front. We went back out onto the street, which was still really cold. There Derek pointed out to us that there were wooden squares going all the way down the street. The wooden squares in the road are where the wall was between English land and Dutch land when they were settling America. This is why Wall St is called Wall St, because it used to have a wall down the middle of it.

the Stock Exchange in Wall St


We walked into a really old church next, which was one of the oldest churches in America. In the graveyard outside there were the graves of many important people in the USA’s history. After coming out of the church we came to where the Twin Towers once stood. There was construction going on all around there because a new building is taking place. Derek explained that this new building is going to be the Freedom Tower, the replacement for the Twin Towers. The construction is only half done but it is already the height of all the buildings around it. This tower is going to be absolutely massive. We walked through another church, filled with 9/11 information and memorabilia. It showed how many countries around the world helped with the clean up operation, and there were heaps (including Australia).

the World Trade Center site and the new Freedom Tower

We caught the subway next, through the city’s underground train system. The train and stations were exactly like in Madagascar. We got out, straight in the middle of Little Italy. Little Italy was where all the Italian immigrants lived when they first came to America. The entire place has an Italian feel, with pizza restaurants everywhere and signs written in Italian. We had lunch in a park here. We also went in a very old Italian deli (the cheese was delicious!) and a cake shop with great tasting canoli.

After lunch Derek talked about crime in NYC, and it turns out that NY is now one of the safest cities in the USA. In the 1970’s, however, it was said that you could stand in Times Square for 10 minutes and see all 10 commandments being broken. We then went into Chinatown which was so crowded and noisy we had trouble moving. There Derek bought a spiky Asian fruit which smells horrible to see what it would taste like. There were also fish shops with live fish out on the sidewalk, one even had a bucket of live toads you could buy! After Chinatown we went on the subway again.

Next we were in Greenwich Village where we saw nothing interesting really, except the smallest apartment in the world, apartment 15 ½. The door was only about a metre tall and it wasn’t as wide as our dining room table!

apartment 15 1/2

We then went to Washington Square, where we saw a man who had wheeled there a full sized piano and was busking. Derek told us that the man earns about $200 a day, because he is so good.

We then caught another subway. We then went to the NY library, which is the 3rd largest library in the USA. We then went out on the streets again, and walked to Grand Central Station. It was almost exactly like in Madagascar. We saw the steps where the policemen run down, and the clock that Melman gets his head stuck in. To finish off the tour we went into a room in GCS, where Derek got Ethan to talk into the corner on one side of the room while I talked in the other. Because of the shape of the roof we could hear each other perfectly. Derek then told us one last piece of trivia – that each subway track is the exact width of a Roman chariot, and then we said goodbye. We then caught the subway back to Wall St, caught the ferry and went back to the RV, where we went to bed.

Looking down on New York

at Top of the Rock, with the Empire State Building in the background

We bought a New York ‘citypass’ which gave us entry to various tourist attractions at a reduced rate. Two of these were the Top of the Rock (the top of the Rockerfeller Center) and the Empire State Building.

We really enjoyed these experiences – a security check (we’re experts by now!), a very fast lift (which Ethan and Max loved), and then emerging out, so high above the city, to fantastic views of New York and beyond. On both occasions it was very cold but worthwhile. Great to gain perspective and to look out over one of the world’s most famous cities.

Karen

Ethan loved working out crazy photos - here with the Empire State (from the Top of the Rock)

the Chrysler building (our fave NY building)

looking down on Central Park

on the Empire State Building

40 in NYC

They plotted and planned and did all kinds of secret things while I was washing up. When it all came together on the 26th March it was the best day of my life so far. What a blessing it is to have a devoted God fearing wife and 4 boys who adore their dad.

It began with some hugs and souvenir gifts – a Mickey Mouse watch I had admired at Animal Kingdom and a new cap with the number 71 on it were my favourites (along with Bangladesh which celebrates its independence on my birthday, 1971 is significant as the birth year for Walt Disney World). But then the secret project was revealed, Karen had been working with the boys on a book for me with all their thoughts on different things, composed entirely by them (eg. my favourite memory, a lesson you’ve taught me, favourites from Dad’s kitchen etc.). It is not easy to measure your progress as a father, all I can see is my faults, failures, excuses and “if onlys,” however what the boys recorded in the book was the greatest encouragement I could ever have received to press on and persevere in the task of being their dad to raise them in the knowledge and fear of the Lord.

After waffles for breaky it was time to hit the streets of NYC and head for the best burgers in New York. An old friend who had lived for a time in NYC had recommended the Shake Shack and we were totally blown away. Not only were the burgers incredible but the shakes were also. Nb. If this ministry gig falls through I’m going to start a Shake Shack store in OZ just so I can eat these again and again and again.

From there we toured through Times Square and the Toys R Us building, and finally settled in our seats on Broadway to watch the stage production of Disney’s Mary Poppins. What was it like? Hilarious, fun, amazing, overwhelming and heart warming – just what you want from a good musical! We’ve been singing it ever since. After Mary we followed our noses to experience a local flea market and then headed back to the RV for the night.

Dinner was indulgent! My favourite satay chicken followed by a chocolate mousse pie topped with strawberries and cream, with a hot chocolate chaser to finish. Could I be more loved, more fulfilled, more entertained, more tummy filled? Only in heaven when I will see God face to face. Till then, turning 40 in New York with my precious Karen and 4 gorgeous sons will be hard to top.

Michael

No Holiday from Jesus - Part 6

Tonight we finished reading our bedtime story - Pilgrim’s Progress. Finishing a book is always a bitter-sweet moment. Sweet because the climax has been reached and everything to know is now known. Bitter because a wonderful journey has now finished and there is no more to come.

However the entire experience has been a sweet one from start to finish. Every night the boys have asked for more when I closed the book. Every night they have greeted the time with enthusiasm and joy. Every night at least one has remembered what has come before and each has helped remind the others where we are up to. Every night probing spiritual questions have been pondered and glorious reflections of God’s grace have been revealed. Every night they have lamented the struggles of believers, the fall of unbelievers and have rejoiced at every good decision the pilgrims have made. Every night we have considered our blessed place in God’s family and been greatly thankful of his unmerited kindness to us as his children. Every night the prayers have been heartfelt and the following sleep has been peaceful.

What a privilege it is to walk the walk with great ones of the faith like John Bunyan and to share these glorious things with our sons. Bunyan has indeed been the teacher of Matthew 13:52, showing us spiritual treasures new and old with every page we have devoured together. What a joy this has been and yet the journey is not complete. If the Lord should tarry, there are many years to come in which we will be called upon to disciple our Sons, not exasperating them, but bringing them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). May he bless all those days as he has blessed these ones, and when they are dry and difficult, may the remembrance of these days give us courage for the task once more.

Michael

Getting around in New York

Last night at dinner (our last night in New York), we went around and said our favourite thing from our time there. Aidan was very definite: the trains. And the buses. And the ferry. For a four year old who loves public transport, Aidan has had a fantastic week!

On our first morning in NY, we had booked into another free city walking tour (with the same company as the DC one we did). We had to meet Derek at 10am in Wall St. We’d been told there was a free ferry from our RV park to the pier at the bottom of Wall St: easy. But, as we were waiting for the ferry, we noticed everyone clutching tickets… we asked a man there if the ferry was free… cue the man laughing uproariously at the tourists. ‘Nothing is free in New York!’ he said. So I ran to the ticket office (we had wondered why that was there… obviously not wondered hard enough) and the lady said, $52. She hadn’t heard the Aussie expression ‘you’re kidding me!’ but worked it out, and no, she wasn’t kidding, it was $52. We had no time for other options so coughed up the money. Welcome to New York!

From there, we arrived in Wall St with 10 mins to spare. We needed subway tickets for our walking tour and had worked out a weekly pass was the best option. Michael disappeared down a set of stairs into the subway…we waited…and waited…and waited…finally he emerged with 5 tickets (thankfully Aidan was free) – apparently the machine was temperamental and so he had to use a combination of credit cards and cash. But he had the tickets!

the Willo boys ride the subway

We met Derek and the tour was terrific. It was meant to go for 6 hours, it went for 8. We walked and walked and walked! (and took the subway a few times too!). Our group was made up of a couple from Ireland, three couples from the US, a group of girls from LA and a couple from Cairns (who were even colder than us!) He took us to lots of non-touristy spots in Little Italy, Chinatown, the Financial District, World Trade Center, Soho and Greenwich Village. Along the way he told fascinating stories about the people and places, and of course the movie and tv locations we were passing. (but, I digress: more about this day from Luke’s journal account, to be posted soon!)

After that we had to find our way home. We worked out (with help from lots of kind people!) the combination which would become our regular pattern: subway to World Trade Center, PATH train under the Hudson River to New Jersey then light rail to Marin Boulevard. We then walked about 100m to our van park. The first time we successfully managed to get where we intended to go we felt like we had won the jackpot!

waiting for the light rail

So, each day (bar one*), we went to Manhattan and back again by light rail, PATH train and subway, then walking to our destination. It took between one and two hours each way (depending on the connections). By the end of the week we were experts. Lots of turnstiles, ticket swiping, stairs (tricky with the stroller!), crowds. But for a four year old: bliss.

Karen

*the only day we didn’t do that was the day we went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty: light rail, a long walk and three ferries instead. Still exciting for Aidan!

Aidan's other form of transport

A New York State of Mind

We survived! 8 days in New Jersey/New York. There were times when I wondered if we’d make it, but…we did.

As I type this I’m sitting in our van at an RV Park near Newport, Rhode Island. It’s 6.30pm, dinner is in the oven, Michael has taken all the boys for a shower and when I look out the window I can see grey trees covered with moss, a pond, leaves on the ground and deer wandering around. We are the only campers here tonight. It’s lovely and quiet. God must have known we needed this after a week in the big smoke!

Now that the week is over we’ll blog all about it. Hopefully we’ll have internet from tomorrow night and we’ll start putting them on our blogspot. Enjoy!

Karen

News from the Big Apple

Greetings! We have not dropped off the edge of the Empire State nor disappeared down a manhole in the road, rather our RV park doesn't have wifi - so we are out of internet contact whilst in NY (except for when we find free wifi like now - we're sitting next to the ice skating rink in the Rockefeller Center!)

A brief overview so far:

-our rv park is Basic (with a capital B!) - a gravel carpark - but it does have a view of the Statue of Liberty and heated bathrooms!

- we have successfully negotiated public transport - to get from our van park (in NJ) to Manhattan we take a light rail, the PATH (train under the Hudson River) and then the subway to whereever we want. Not too hard (although over 5's are adult prices - ouch!)

-Mike had a great 40th birthday - gifts, burgers,shakes, Mary Poppins on Broadway, cake and lots of love

-it is very cold - the highest temp so far has been 5 deg C

-we did an 8 hour walking tour of the city

That's enough for now! We're here til Friday (today is Monday) so more trip reports after that!

Karen