Thursday, April 5

NJ and the Big Apple ~ Part 4 ~ Views

I was told what buildings these were, but since I didn't write it down, I promptly forgot. I think that top one is city hall.



I liked this one for the gingerbread, although it isn't the fanciest builing in NYC, by a long shot. I assume that the greenish areas on top and over the windows on the mansard roof are copper which has oxidized.


These last two views and photos made the whole trip worthwhile for me. After we took the PATH train back to Jersey City, we entered the parking deck to find our car. I saw this view of Manhattan, and I couldn't stop shooting photos of it. The late afternoon sun was hitting the buildings along the water's edge, and although it doesn't look that bright here, they could have been on fire with the golden glow. It was a "take-your-breath-away" moment, and I am grateful for it.


The next day, we left NJ and headed south. After we found out that we couldn't see the Egyptian Exhibit in Philadelphia, we needed something interesting to do, so we made a decision to head for Atlantic City. We arrived about 3 pm, and found it bustling (as usual), at least in the area of the casinos. Mr. kenju headed for the Boardwalk. Seeing the ocean is a must for him, but I was more interested in the one-armed bandits. I promptly gave $$ to The Donald, to my dismay. I won some and lost some, but the net was a loss of $20 - my usual limit (I'm SUCH a big spender). Our hope of winning enough to offset the trip was not realized this time......LOL.

We headed south again; spent the night in DC with Miss kenju and headed home on Sunday morning. For some reason, The VA DOT thinks it is expedient to have road construction/repair on Sunday, so we were immediately in a massive traffic jam, stretching for miles. Our first destination was IKEA. I had seen their catalogs, but I had never been to a store, so I was looking forward to it. A trip which should have taken no more than 20 minutes stretched into 45, but we finally pulled into the parking garage. IKEA (which I have always pronounced "eye-kia", with the stress on the second syllable) is actually "EEE-KIA" (long E), according to my Swedish neighbor.
If you have not been to Ikea, I recommend it. They have stuff for every room in the house; from gadgets to furniture and their storage solutions are great. It is probably a good thing I didn't win a lot of money in Atlantic City, because I might have spent it all at Ikea!! The best thing I saw was a kitchen brush with a suction cup on the end of the handle. You can stand it up on the sink or the counter; it takes up less space and it dries easily. Genius. After 2 hours in Ikea, we had lunch there (3 hotdogs for $1.50 - no kidding) and then headed back to Raleigh. We were glad to get home.



14 comments:

utenzi said...

Ikea is a great store. And I've always pronounced it the same way as you, Judy. That long "E" way of saying Ikea is just too weird. ;-)

rosemary said...

Gee, I miss one day reading and you go crazy posting....wonderful, fabulous pics and posts.....I wish I had been with you on your handbag find.....I have a handbag affliction...gotta have em gotta buy em....frequently. There was an Ikea in California about 5 miles from home...I spent a lot of time and money there. My son's dorm room was decorated with Ikea finds and I still have several area rugs from there.

sonia a. mascaro said...

What a wonderful pictures, Judy! Sounds you had a great time!

Have a happy and nice Easter!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Gorgepus shots of the NY city Skyline with The Empire State Building standing out so wonderfully...I sure understand wanting to capture that with your camera, Judy...
My Computer Table and two other pices all came from IKEA...The only problem is: You have to put everything together...! Well, you need a person to help you do it, if you are 'of a certain age'...lol!

Azgreeneyes said...

We have an Ikea (pronounced eye-kia for me, I can't help it!) about 10-15 minutes away, and I love that store. Plus, the kids love it as well for the playland/daycare center. I usually take them shopping with me, its not a big deal, but they insist on going into the play area at Ikea. I guess it just can't be beat!

Here from Michele's tonight.

JMH said...

Just a month ago I went to New York for the first time and took the Staten Island Ferry and, well, it made me feel vital. Important. You know Michele.

Mike said...

Great Pictures. I have never been to New York myself but it looks like I should.

Michele sent me.

Michael K. Althouse said...

Loving your photo-essay of your trip Judy. All places I haven't been... yet. Although I've been to more than a few places, and a bunch of them in our own country, I have yet to traveled to DC, NJ, Maryland or NY. Soon I hope, but until then, the retelling of your journey will suffice.

mike

Raggedy said...

Awesome pictures!
Welcome Home!
Hugs

Anonymous said...

I've really enjoyed your travelogue and envy your trip to the city! The pictures look great.

I wish NC had an IKEA but I'm afraid the folks in High Point, et al, will never let that happen!

rashbre said...

These are great posts about New York. I also like the one from the car park in NJ. I'm going to read back through the series now!

Oh and from my strange facts department ...IKEA stands for the founder's name, his village and his parent's village in Sweden...

Ingvar Kamrad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd.

rashbre

Pat said...

What a great trip. Naughty girl for choosing bandits to ocean:) We pronounce Ikea as you do and although I have never been - people love to grumble about the sheer inconvenience of the storea and the flatpacks. Sometimes I think we are a nation of grumblers! Welcome home!

carmilevy said...

You have an amazing way of looking at a new city, Judy. In seeing your pictures and reading your words, I'm learning how to capture similar images on my own travels.

srp said...

Stephen loves Ikea too, he got most of the furnishings for his Vienna apartment there.

Glad to see you got home safely and hopefully your plumbing job was still intact.

The photos of Manhattan are stunning.