Day 18 No idea of the rules but loved The Giants

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Geo: 40.7488, -73.9912

Third time lucky for us! We just kept on walking straight up to the revolving door of the Empire State Building and we were in. The attendants were advising that there was a one hour wait to get to the top but the queue was moving so quickly and armed with probably the best audio tour of the visit so far it seemed that we had de-robed and re-robed for the security check in a matter of minutes.

The ground floor included a detailed interactive display of the changes made to the building to improve on energy efficiency. The energy changes made reaped enormous savings - in the vicinity of a $1 million a year - and included simple modifications to windows and light bulbs. Sounds a bit like JPC - just on a bigger scale.

The lift took us to the 80th floor for an in-depth look at the history of the construction of the building. A building project of the depression, construction was completed in just 13 months and because of its poor location in relation to transport options in 1931, it stood almost empty for 30 years. It was referred to by the locals as the "Empty State Building." It held the record as the tallest building in New York for forty years and its 86th floor observation deck is a tourist mecca. Its lines are legendary ...the street line, the lobby line, the ticket line, the security line and the lift line. Truly a juggernaut of organisation. And of course, its iconic status has only grown as a result of Hollywood blockbusters such as King Kong!

Once on the 80th floor...and having negotiated all of these lines, we were invited to walk the last 6 floors. That piqued our interest. Of course it seemed like a good idea at the time as we joined a flood of people in taking the walk. Was a little more strenuous than predicted but the double hand railing helped.
And the view was worth the effort!

A 360 view of New York on a clear day! Literally could see for miles. We had definitely "lucked out. It was so spectacular we went a little crazy with the camera. And joined in the pushing and jostling to get right up close to the barrier at each of the corners. It was cold and windy and we couldn't help contemplating what it might be like up here on a "really" cold day. So glad that we kept coming back - now that we have been up here and can appreciate how spectacular the view is - it definitely would have been a missed opportunity.

With the benefit of hindsight, we opted to take the elevator rather than the stairs for the return trip. Mindful of time, we skipped our intended breakfast stop at Andrew's to make our way to Penn Station to get to the Giant's game. We had info from the Concierge that indicated it was a 30 minute trip to MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey.

Penn Station was packed. Advantage for us was that we just got to follow the crowd. In fact, it was easier than that...,we just got pushed along in the huddle and after a train change at Secaucus Junction we made a speedy crossing through the Lincoln Tunnel under the Hudson River. At MetLife we lined up for the bag checkin at the " trailer" and a security check at the gate and arrived at our seats 90 minutes later just as the national anthem rung out over the stadium. Anthony arrived about 5 minutes later but his transport story was a little different.

Game on! It was the last game of the season for the Giants (the team that Mindy and Anthonny support) and the local fans were knocked back in their seats by a very early touchdown by the Philadelphia Eagles. Had very little idea of the subtleties of the game but Anthony provided all the insights. There was so much to watch...the game, the crowd, the coaching staff, the refs, the yellow flags, the billboards, the markers and the movement. Never a dull moment. Half time entertainment was from a drum line group called the G Line. Packed with energy and lots of fun. The boys missed it: Mac was on a food search and Anthony headed to the merchandise shop. Success for the former, unlucky for the latter.

I was surprised that there wasn't really a "fan zone" or a "den" as such. No marching band, no cheer girls, no chants, no singing and absolutely no fingers. Think I must have had the wrong sport in my head. Just 80 000 people doing their own thing. Calling out and jeering. Giving advice and instructions to all and sundry. Lots of fan jerseys and beanies. And everyone knew the stats and numbers and the players and the plays. The Giants played catchup for all four quarters and despite loads of excitement as they scrambled for a final touchdown to steal the game, they couldn't quite hold on to the ball and conceded defeat 35-30. The one hour game started at one o'clock and finished at just after four. Go figure.

Of course, we were the envy of Mindy. This is HER team. All we could do was fire off pics and stats. Know that Mindy and Ian were really tempted by a flight to the west coast for a combination of Times Square AND the Giants.

The return home was more of the same. Do believe that New Yorkers spend half of their day in lines or more accurately "crushes". No-one seems to mind. Everyone just puts on their penguin shuffle walk and gets pushed along in the flow of the crowd. Gates open. Turnstiles click. Trains load. Seats fill. It all just happens. And again, need to comment on the people. Everyone is easy going. We have not encountered any problems. Ask for help and someone knows the answer. There are police, security and information personnel everywhere. Everything comes with a " have a nice day", " you're welcome" and "no problem."

We opted for a night in. Dinner was a takeout pack from a local Japanese restaurant washed down with Spiderman and Superman back to back on TV interspersed with the "we've been there" excitement.

Mindy and Ian would love to live here. Not sure we would. Have to be honest and say that the constant crush of people, the noise and the bone chilling cold are not for us. Absolutely a great place to visit but so glad we are just "passing through."

And as a final thought, max temp today was 9 and we were freezing. Tomorrow's prediction is for max of 0 degrees. They have GOT to be kidding.

PS A women's view of American Football

There were so many players on the team! Highly trained athletes who devote their life to fitness and preparedness for the game. Each player had a minutely specialised role. There was lots of action "up front." Sumo wrestler like gargantuans who pushed and shoved and trampled the opposition. Fleet of foot speedsters who were tall and lean. Runners, passers, catchers, placers and kickers.

And then there were the extras. I am sure that there were a host of players who got dressed up for the gig and ran out onto the field to either take the kick or receive the kick who touched neither a player or a ball in the one hour of game time (which is 3 hours of elapsed time). I would not like that spot on the roster.

Loved watching number 23 for the Giants running through the line and making the yards. And think this may have been my mistake. I was so busy watching the action on the ball, I missed all the heroics in the scrimmages where all of the hard work was being done.

Think we need to head to Europe for a major league football game. (Hint, hint)

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Comments

[Fiona]

Looks freezing, but amazing!