Today we began the day by meeting the Winklers int he lobby and setting out for breakfast. We didn't have to travel too far as we settled on the Carnegie Deli across the street. The Carnegie has been there since 1937 and is considered a NY culinary landmark. Although the food was great it is getting harder and harder to decide what to have for breakfast. There really is only so much bacon, eggs and fried potatoes you can eat. David opted for some fruit and cornflakes. What he didn't realise was that he would literally get a half a rock melon. Everyone, including David, struggled to try to finish their food.
With breakfast finished we walked to 45th Street and 1st Avenue to visit the United Nations. We all passed through the security check and David checked his backpack into the storage area as required. We had a brief look around before making our way to the tour desk. Here we would discover that the next tour was at 1.45pm. AS we didn't fancy trying to keep the kids amused for four about 3 hours we purchased our tour tickets and then decided to take the opportunity to go and explore Grand Central Station.
Grand Central Station and some of the surrounding buildings on 42nd Street were beautiful. Grand Central is 100 years old this year. It was a hustling bustling hive of activity. People hurrying too and from trains, visiting the Apple istore on the East Balcony (Yes, Apple are everywhere) and shopping in the many stores. The station was made largely of marble, with ornate ceilings and arch ways. Even the ventilation vents were ornately carved. After exploring a little we went down to the Dining Concourse for a quick bite to eat. The boys stocked up on their new favourite - chicken noodle soup. Once we had finished it was time to head back to the United Nations for our tour.
After the obligatory security checks we spent a little bit of time reading the exhibition about the abolition of slavery in the USA. There was some amazing things including information about a black woman called Harriet Tubman, known as "Moses" - she had escaped slavery at the age of 24 years but had then chosen to return to the South 19 times to help free over 300 more slaves. During the American Civil War she worked as a nurse and cook before becoming and armed scout and spy for the Union Army. This led her to become the first American woman to lead an armed expedition in war.
It was soon time to join the tour with our guide, Jacki. The tour was excellent. We saw a model of the UN and heard briefly about its history and how it works, and were able to visit the General Assembly and the Security Council meeting rooms which look just like they do in the movies and on TV. We also saw exhibits about land mines and disarmament, and the current UN goals including efforts to eradicate poverty, provide equal rights for women and access to education. Some of the programs being undertaken by UNICEF, WFP and WHO were also explained. Its amazing to think a whole "school in a box" - everything needed to teach about 80 students (40 in the morning and 40 in the afternoon) can be provided for $200. Together with the Winklers we also bared our arms and legs for the lend your limbs to land mines campaign that the UN are running through social media. We also viewed some of the gifts to the UN. Overall it was fascinating but also a little sad to see the state of the world and know what could be done if all the member states would not only agree to motions but ratify them.
When the tour finished the Winkler's made their way to the NHL store and we headed for Madame Tussaud's. It was clear on the way that Ryan was struggling so we changed our plans and headed back to the hotel for a little R & R before the NHL game tonight.
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