We're still wet and now we're freezing, but we're sure having fun!

          Today was another SPECTACULAR day in the Big Apple.  After sleeping in past 5:00 (we rolled out of bed around 9:00) we ate breakfast and hit the city by 11:00.  When we left the hotel it was drizzling rain, but the forecasted snow was on it's way.  Our plan of attack for the day was to head into Brooklyn to find Target (in order to pick up necessities) and check out the rest of the island.  Because we've never been to Brooklyn before, we used an app on my phone to navigate our way. Once we arrived at the subway station, we realized that the way we had planned to take is closed due to construction.  Whoops!  We got on the subway anyways and figured, we can do this, we're Gusties!   


          As we're riding the subway (in the wrong direction, mind you) Sarah ran into one of her students.  After a brief chit-chat, he asked us where we were going.  When we told him we were trying to find our way to Brooklyn, he gave us directions.  Keep in mind that he is a fourth grader and he has memorized the entire subway system of New York!  Even his dad admitted that he hasn't done that yet!  We were extremely grateful for this student because he got us to Brooklyn without any confusion.  What we realized on our way is that we spent close to an hour on a subway ride that should have been ten-fifteen minutes tops; we're working on it :)

          When we got out of the subway station in Brooklyn, it was snowing!!! Winter weather may stop New Yorkers and tourists, but it will NOT stop three Minnesotan girls on a mission!  The snow doesn't stick quite here in NY like it does in Minnesota, so there was lots of slush and mess everywhere.  Of course we all had boots on, but nobody thought to bring mittens or a hat on our adventure... We know moms, we weren't the smartest.  We're just hoping that nobody gets pneumonia out of this ordeal!  The funniest part was that EVERYONE was using their umbrellas as a shield against the snow, as if it might protect them.  If I would have stopped to count the number of broken umbrellas randomly strewn on the ground I would have run out of fingers AND toes. It was a smidge ridiculous!

          In Brooklyn, we ate some delicious BWW's and meandered around the Target store.  We really began to appreciate our Target stores back in Minnesota because this one looked like it had been ransacked by a thousand people; there were items on the floor, nothing was stocked, lines made it feel like Black Friday!  Thankfully we found what we needed and we were out the door.  Despite our earlier decision to tour Brooklyn, we thought it would be best to head back to Manhattan and check out the "Accent Capital of New York" another day when the sun was shining.  Because the girls were in the mood for "Star Searching", we traveled up to SoHo, Chinatown, and Little Italy to browse through the stores and find those more famous than us.  


          After realizing our pocket books were too small for SoHo, we quickly directed ourselves to Chinatown.  Here, Heidi got a steal of a purse, Sarah bought earrings, a watch, and a headwrap, and I found some gorgeous scarves.  

           On our way back to the ferry, we were stopped by a gentleman and asked for directions!  Do we look like New Yorkers already? Why thank you sir!  The best part is that Heidi whips around and yells, "Megan, where's your phone?"  Thank you iPhone for giving us directions 50+ times a day, you really save our lives!  We are looking at it less and less frequently as we navigate the city, acclimating to the subway system and how to "change trains."  I know I can't wait to show my mom my "city-slicker" ways and I'm sure the girls feel the same!  (As I write this, I realize it COMPLETELY negates my story of our subway trip to Brooklyn... I guess it's a situational feeling?)  


          Another wonderful, albeit chilly, day has passed successfully.  Tomorrow is another full day to adventure the town.  We'll be sure to update you on our journey!


-Megan


         PS: There are NO Dairy Queens in New York.  For those of you who know me, this is a big dilemma, HUGE! Thankfully, Heidi found a Ben and Jerry's fridge in the hotel lobby.  The S'mores flavor is my new favorite, be sure to check it out!