Day 7 - Back to New York, The MET and Prohibition Bar

After being a bit wiped out after yesterday where we probably did too much. We were a bit slow to get up this morning for our train back to New York.

However as we had packed yesterday we were still able to be up and away for about 08:15am today. It was a bit humid but the walk to the station was short. We had time to grab breakfast and lunch for the train in the station. We knew this time that a queue would form for the train as it is a very busy one and we went to join it about 15 minutes before our departure time.

Intersection on the way back to the station

This worked well as the train started to board at about 9:05am and we were scheduled to leave about 09:20am. There was a short walk down to the platform and then we had to board the train from ground level. We were more prepared this time for this as it involved having to lift your bags up some small stairs into the carriage.

Boarding train at Union Station from ground level

As we were at the front of the queue we were able to find a window seat that we could sit together. The journey so far I have just written this blog up. It has been cloudy and not too many interesting things to see out the window.

View from window of train

We arrived back in NYC on time and quickly made our way out to grab a taxi. However there was none to be seen and so we eventually headed back to the subway. It was only one stop and a short walk. We found at that there was a parade to celebrate Polish independence and therefore quite a few of the surrounding streets were closed.

We dropped our bags at the hotel, however we couldn’t check in yet. We therefore headed at to the MET museum to meet Smiti at 3pm. The sun was shining at it was very hot again. We sat on Central Park for a little while until it was time to meet Smiti. We actually bumped into her whilst walking the final section to the entrance.

The Iroquois Hotel, New York

Hotel room

Kathryn had wanted to see an exhibit called Heavenly Bodies which was about the influence of Catholicism on art. It was actually very spectacular and we enjoyed seeing all the intricate detail of the fabrics up close. We also took advantage of the rooftop garden and views of the NYC skyline.

New York skyline from top of The MET

Same again

After we finished, Smiti took us to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, which is traditionally a more diverse and working class neighbourhood, a bit like Camden Town in London. She took us to what was a hot dog fast food resteruant in a  basement. What she planned was at 6pm, a secret bar opens which you enter using the phone booth in the café.

At 6pm, a bit of a crowd had gathered, but thanks to Smiti we were able to get in straight away and were seated at the bar. The cocktails were really good and we had a long evening their before heading back to the hotel about 8:30pm.

Eat Me! Hot Dog fast food joint

Please Don't Tell! Prohibition bar hidden behind fast food cafe