New York - The Tenement Museum

Next on Michael's schedule was the Tenement Museum located on the lower east side. We did a guided tour entitled Hard Times. From the website: "Discover how immigrants survived economic depression at 97 Orchard Street between 1863 and 1935. Visit the restored homes of the  German-Jewish Gumpertz family, whose patriarch disappeared during the Panic of 1873, and the Italian-Catholic Baldizzi family, who lived through the Great Depression." 

We were not allowed to take photos inside the building.

After the guided tour we took a walking tour entitled Foods of the Lower East Side. Above photo is Vanessa's Dumplings in which we sampled dumplings.

At the Pickle Guys we sampled Caribbean pickled pineapple. Other foods we tried were pretzels from Schneider's Saloon, cheese from the Essex Street Market, fried plantains from El Castillo de Jagua, bagels and schmeer from Russ & Daughters Cafe. Jacob was a trooper and ate food from each vendor. This was a two hour tour which I thought a bit long but I was also sick by then and was loosing steam. Michael continued with food adventures as we picked up bagels for breakfast the next day and knishes for dinner.

New York - World Trade Center

Our last day in NYC was a busy one. First we went to the World Trade Center.

The new building, One World Trade Center.

One of the memorials. As you can tell from my hair it was a blustery day, they even turned off the fountains due to high winds.

A nice tourist took a photo of all three of us, a rarity for this vacation.

Jacob was impressed with the architecture and took quite a bit of photos on this trip.

World Trade Center Mall.

This was a very modern building which Jacob really liked.

This mall recently opened so not all the locations were filled. Many high-end shops were present including an Apple Store.

Couldn't pass up taking a photo of the JZ line. On to our next destination. This subway station was connected to the mall.

New York Day 2

Today the weather behaved itself by not raining but it wasn't any warmer. I was hoping for 50 degrees but it stayed in the 40s.

We made to Central Park. The Cherry Blossoms were out but it did not feel like Spring.

We were not looking for Trump Towers but we did run into it so we took a picture of the clock out front. There was definitely heightened security.

Entertainment in the subway. They were actually a good band.

We made it to Times Square 39 degrees and all.

Jacob got Chicken Nuggets at the Golden Arches since he was not into falafel. I have never seen a more busy McDonald's.

New York Day 1

We are staying in an Airbnb in Greenwich Village. So far it seems the perfect size, quiet and good location. It was cold (43 degrees) and rainy, heavy at times so not the ideal sight seeing weather. We decided to go to the Whitney Museum to be inside. This was modern art at its finest. 

The rain finally stopped after we had dinner. The one place I asked to go to was the NY public library but by the time we got there it was closed. At least I got my picture by the famed lion.

Jacob is into selfies on this trip. He has taken a selfie every where we went today. I am sure if you ask him he will share his pictures. This is St. Patrick's Cathedral near 5th Ave.

1st Annual Film Festival

The drama department at Jacob's school put on the first annual film festival. Working in groups the students wrote, directed, acted, edited and produced the films all by themselves. The theme was kindness, pay-it-forward, and all the films touch upon this theme. 

Dominic, Cesar, and Jacob. Not all part of the same group but all are friends.

The kids were encouraged to dress up.

There was red carpet coverage but Jacob's group was uncooperative for pictures. This was the best picture Michael could get.

Here is Jacob's group film titled Kindness Brings Color to the World. It is 3 minutes. 

8th Grade Awards Ceremony

First semester of 8th grade is over and we attended the little awards ceremony that the school does for honorees. Jacob won two awards this year; one for Principal's Honor Roll and one for Science. 

We are of course proud parents and can't believe that the end of 8th grade is a few months away.

Las Vegas 2016

Monday, on our drive out we stopped for lunch at Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe on historic route 66 in Victorville. We shared a Brian Burger; beef patty, thick slices of toasted bread for the bun, cheese and some sort of green pepper or chili. It was good and something different.

Flamingos at the Flamingo. Tuesday, we saw Piff the Magic Dragon which is a magic and comedy show. It was fun and amusing. Of course Mr. Piffles the chihuahua was the real star. I wanted to get my picture with Mr. Piffles but the line was too long. Instead we went outside to the Wildlife Habitat. It was night so most of the animals were asleep.

We went to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store for breakfast on Wednesday. Michael is familiar with this chain of restaurants from his trips to the South. I was the one in for a treat. I enjoyed my eggs-in-the-basket and fried apples.

The country store is something to behold.

Wednesday afternoon was spent at the Mob Museum. It was well worth the price of admission, we spent 3 hours there. One of the more impressive pieces is this wall where the Valentine's Day Massacre took place. The bricks were numbered and reassemble here at the museum.

We discovered parts of the hotel that we had never been before, the Koi pond.

And Ferrari shop, Jacob would be impressed.