NYC – not quite as planned

I had planned to walk from Penn Station up to the Rockefeller building, then along 5th up to Central Park and then back along Broadway to Macy’s

Things all changed as I was running frantically to catch the train. The hotel shuttle was running late and I got to the station with just minutes to spare. I had to buy a ticket and get to the other side of the platform. I heard the crossing bells ringing just as I was getting the ticket. I grabbed my change and took off as the train was arriving. As I run down the steps and took my first stride it happened – my calf muscle gave in and tore (or strained really badly). I hobbled up the steps at the other side and just got onto the train. There is only one train an hour on Saturdays and I didn’t fancy waiting around for an hour in sub zero temperatures for the next one. Then again, I didn’t really fancy hobbling around New York all day.

As I sat on the train my leg throbbed and I tried to convince myself it wasn’t that bad. After 50 minutes sitting still, when it came time to leave the train I could hardly walk. I was shuffling like a little old lady and it was painful.

But I am nothing if not determined. I’m not sure if it was the right thing to do or not but I kept on walking. Walking very slowly, but the whole point of going into NY was to walk around and see things. I could have got a cab everywhere but that really defeated the purpose.

My first purchase in NYC was an Ultra Strength Pain Relieving patch from my new best friend, Duane Reade. The lady kindly let me apply it in the store. From here on I shuffled along at an extremely slow speed, having to wait until the light was green until crossing the road and needing the whole time to cross each street. I stopped twice between Penn Street Station and the Rockefeller building to rest – Starbucks was my chosen resting place. The Vanilla Rooibos Latte is to die for. Being in the warmth I could feel my calf burning – I think the cold was numbing the pain outside. I could also get WIFI in Starbucks, although as an international iPhone owner it’s not free.

Anyway, I managed to do half of my planned journey. I walked from Penn Station to the Rockefeller and went up the Top of the Rock. This is a must see in NYC. Not only do you get amazing views but you actually get to see the Empire State Building in all its glory, and the facilities at the Rockefeller are very new and modern. Highly recommended. I then walked back along Broadway, with a stop at M&M World and back to Macy’s for some shopping. Then onto Penn Station for the train back to Long Island. I’ll be staying in Manhattan next weekend so I have plenty of time to do all the things on my list.

View from Top of the Rock

View from Top of the Rock was taken on my iPhone using the Pano App.

Empire State from Top of the Rock

The above photo was not taken using my iPhone.

Full NY gallery is here:   (pictures taken with iPhone and Fuji Finepix)