Day 2 - Tired legs!  We walked all over the city, travelled from 63rd down to 10th, then back up to 110th, and down again to 63rd.  Most of it was walked, but it felt good to cover so much of the city.  It was incredible to see places that have, till now, been only imagined, well-known or historical in some way, but not tourist attractions.  Still haven't seen the Brooklyn Bridge or the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, and don't really care.  I was within a block or two of the place where John Lennon was shot, (didn't know that till later), saw the pier where the survivors of the Titanic landed, and walked through bohemian Greenwich Village.
The day began with a couple of errands, which took us to Madison Square Gardens.

What a huge place!  Well, okay, the building itself is probably about the same size as Skydome, or whatever it's called now, but there are buildings and streets right up against it all the way around, unlike Skydome.  So it looks even bigger.

From there, we walk to the High Line, which is a retired train track that has been renovated into a beautiful walking trail, a couple of stories off the ground, and woven amongst some very interesting buildings, both old and new.  We see some very interesting architecture, and find that there are already flowers blooming, and the grass is green.  Elise has certainly found some peaceful places in this fast-paced city. 

This is also where we see Pier 54 from.

As we come off the High Line, Chelsea Market is just steps away, and it's time for lunch already anyway.  We meander through and find some wonderful food (and more shopping opps), then find a small table outside in the sun.  It is absolutely beautiful, warm sunshine, a bit of a breeze, so we take our time and enjoy.  As we walk toward the subway, Elise nonchalantly comments "That's Greenwich Village" and keeps walking.  Whaaat?  Let's go see what Greenwich Village is all about!  It's just like the movies.  Later, we find out that the exterior of Carrie Bradshaw's (Sex in the City) apartment is actually located in Greenwich Village, just a couple of blocks from where we strolled, even though the address given in the show is Upper East Side.

It's still a gorgeous day, so we decide it's time to see Central Park, and if we have time, a "big church" that Elise likes.  The subway is crammed, and we're going quite a ways uptown, Elise naps a bit on the train, and then the city changes yet again.  The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is big all right.  It's the biggest cathedral I've ever been in.  Reminds me of the pictures I've seen of Westminster Abbey.  We walk around the gardens first, where there are tiny hand-cast figurines in bronze all over, of animals, people, small books with quotations (why is there one that says "I have a dog named Sue"?).  The architecture is somewhat Gothic, I think, and the huge brass doors on the front seem both welcoming and fort-like at the same time.  The inside is open to the public, and it's well worth the donation requested.  The windows are stunning, as are the massive columns, arches, domes, and inlaid marble floors.

 From the cathedral we head to Central Park.  My very energetic young niece is quite determined to show me the reservoir, another of her favourite peaceful places.  It looks very familiar from the movies and televisions, and it is gorgeous, but by this time, we're hungry, tired, and looking forward to an evening with our feet up.  So we walk the path instead of jogging it.  The skyline is amazing from here, and I hear that it's even prettier just before sunset, but sunset doesn't seem likely with all these clouds.  Soooo,  Peace Food Cafe here we come!