2010.08.04

Mimi’s Bite on the Big Apple — Empire State Building

Mimi and I finally embark our long-overdue trip to New York. We worked so hard to make it happen.

We only had two days between the time we made our decision to the time we leave. Mimi and I both had A LOT to do before we can leave for the trip. Mimi practiced piano well and tidy up the room. She also went out to the neighborhood with Lucy to distribute their business flyer (see another store for details) on Friday night. Mommy needed to clean up the house to be ready for daddy’s return. We were soooooooooooo busy but all with excitement.

When we packed for the trip, I told Mimi that we have to travel LIGHT. That means we will only bring what is essential to the trip and keeps our hands FREE. It is hard for Mimi because she always likes to pack more than less.

Finally, it got to Friday night. I told Mimi to get some sleep first. Our bus will arrive at 1:30am so I will wake her up an hour before to get ready. Uncle Hao will come to pick us up to the station.

Mimi usually doesn’t like to be woken up in the middle of the night. However, on Friday night (or should I say Saturday morning) when I called her name, I saw a BIG smile on her face. She knew it was the beginning of a very fun trip.

Uncle Hao with Mimi at the station. Behind them was the shortline bus that will take us to the big apple!!

Still awake…..

Hardly so……

We arrived at the Penn Station at around 6:30am. Amazingly, both of us got some sleep during the trip. None of us realized we got to NY until we felt the commotion around us.

Mimi in the station. See we are traveling light and hands-free?

So is Mommy.

We were ready to start our first stop — Empire State Building. Mommy didnt’ have a subway map and the kiosk was not open until 8am. A police officer was very kind to give us a pointer of direction. He even showed Mimi how to use the vending machine to buy tickets. We are buying the one-day pass for $8.25 per person. That will get us around the city for a whole day.

The Empire Building Observatory opens at 8am every day. However, their staffs are ready before 7:30am. I guess they are used to the early birds who take the bus entering the city late night. Last time when Mimi was here with grandpa, grandma and uncle, we were early (and got there before 9am). There was still lines with tourists on the security check point and ticket counter. This morning, no one was there — ONLY US!!

See only two people in the picture — Mimi and guard.

Finally, we got on to the top of the building. Mommy bought the map and the self-guided recording for Mimi so she got to learn more about the city’s landscaping.