Day Three

Woken up by some badger getting up at 6am again. Tried to go back to sleep for second day running. Too hot, so got up. Thought about jog around Central Park, then quickly thought of something else.

Headed downtown on the metro to the Federal Reserve Bank (Die Hard 3) (Still doing the movie references).  It was guarded by people with big guns.  Had booked a tour of the building. Gun people let us in. Metal detected and x-rayed before getting in. Weren't allowed to take pictures in there in case Jeremy Irons wants to break in again.  Saw what was the world's most expensive coin, a 1933 double eagle, costing just shy of $7.6million. Its life story was quite funny and fascinating. It is legal tender so if you stole it you can get $20 worth of stuff with it!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1933_Double_Eagle

Went down to the vault which is 50m under sea level sitting on the bedrock on Manhattan Island, guarded by a 90 tonne revolving door.  Saw $240billion worth of gold. Quite impressed.

Bank is on the right

Headed east from bank to the World Trade Centre site.  It is now a construction site. Went into the preview building to see what the finished place will look like. There will be two huge water pools, one in the footprint of each of the two towers plus a visitor centre etc. Very eerie feeling when you think that 9 years ago it would still be there and a few weeks after that it would be gone taking 3000 people with it. When you think it was twice the height of the buildings still standing there, you wonder how they managed to be untouched when such a massive structure collapsed. All in all a worthwhile place to see, even if just to remind you about the events of that day.

Meandered our way down to Battery Park to investigate the possibility of taking a boat trip out to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Looked at the queue which went all the way back to Ermington and decided against wasting most of our last day standing in a conga line. You could see it from the park anyhow.

Having rested for a while due to the fact we were melting we headed back north to Washington Square. Whilst travelling there on the metro came up with an idea for a film, 'Nuns on a Plane', an action thriller in which a doomed flight is saved by some ass kicking nuns.

Had lunch in The Cozy Diner. Miserable man served us. Makes a change. Ann's sandwich was not as big as yesterday. Wandered to Washington Square (I am Legend)

Headed out of the square towards metro station. Walked past a man covered in pigeons. Didn't think people would believe me so took a picture. He didn't seem to want them to go away. Seemed strange. Reminded us of that woman who used to be in Casualty who plays a bag lady in Home Alone 2.

Pigeonman

Made our way to see the Brooklyn Bridge (Every film ever set in New York). It was a bridge.

Got on the wrong train and ended up in Harlem. Got on another train back again. Went home. Tired.

Attempted to make pancakes from a packet in a glass frying pan. Didn't go well. Tasted good though.

Another fried mess you got me into

Day three over. Leaving New York at 9.30am tomorrow. Where is the time going? Must try to get jog in Central Park done by the time we leave. Bedtime.