And I also did this

Actually I really didn't do anything else exciting or spectacular. I took lots of not so great pictures at the cemeteries in town. (Coincidentally enough me and the whole fam bam went on memorial day as a spur of the moment day trip).

 

Cemeteries are understandably a little melancholy but I have to say that what you notice most, especially when at an old cemetery, is that children used to die. A lot. It is something that we don't really think of much in this day and age but back in the 1800's and early 1900's it was a part of life. Families would loose 2, 3 or even more of their children sometimes only days apart. Due to illnesses running rampant I am sure but it made me appreciate that we don't really have to worry about those things very much any more. 

 

Also, when someone dies there was often times mention of where the person was from and down to the number of days how old they were. I guess when the average lifespan was far below where it is today every day counted. I like to think that I make every day count.

I also went to NY again. It's a pretty amazing place really and I do think that everyone should go there at least once. I didn't really get it the first time I went, it took time for me to appreciate why people love it so much. I love it for many reasons. It is a place full of diversity, a lesson in history, a city of entertainment and it is like no other place. Also, you can find any kind of cuisine you could think up. And I mean anything. There are buildings hundreds of years old nestled between new skyscrapers and corporate living. There are museums and galleries and of course you can't forget all the Broadway shows. They are amazing too, I love them all. :) There are people who sell things on the street and you can just walk wherever you need to go. Walking 5 miles in the city feels like nothing at all and everyone else does it too. Lots of people don't even have cars, they walk or take a cab. I can't blame them with the cost of living as high as it is there a car is a luxury. There is always something to do or somewhere to go. I can't really explain it but there is a feeling there like a pulse or something. Like the city is it's own living breathing being that surrounds you.

And besides the Broadway shows I love Central Park the most. Because in the middle of all that concrete and buildings and hustle and bustle there is a piece of humanity. A true testament to the fact that even the city dwellers need to have a little outdoorsy connection. It is like everyone's backyard. I have only ever explored about half of it simply because it is enormous but I still find that you can never truly see it all. People walking their dogs, jogging on trails, biking, carriage rides, picnics, baseball games, paddle boats, kiddie rides, a zoo (that's right, there is a zoo in there too), people selling prints, drawing caricatures, yummy food and drink stands, you name it they got it. On this trip we found some very hungry ducks! Aren't they cute!

We had the most amazing weather while we were there. Usually the sheer heat and damp humidity are enough to put at least a little damper on my city exploring but not this time. Walking around the park for a few hours before heading off to the airport was a great way to spend the afternoon. I like to think that one day I can go with my whole loud family and David and we can all roam around the city together. Now that would be a trip to remember. :)