Day 7 - Greenwich Village, High Line and Green Heels

Union Square Greenmarket

Washington Square Park piano player

West Village

High line

View from High line

I must be unwinding now as I didn't jump out of bed and hurry up so that I could get out sight-seeing.  Late morning I arrived via subway at Union Square (park area that has a weekend Green Market selling art, food and plants).  I bought a bag of fresh pretzels - they are the same as Oz, very crunchie, just bigger.

Heading south I walked through Greenwich Village, an area dominated by New York University so passed a number of bars, cheaper food shops and essential services like the post office, as well as bigger buildings labelled as being the various faculties.  Bought some great homemade soup then sat in a park - Washington Square in the sunshine (about 15c but warmer in the sun), and listened to various people taking turns playing an old piano that was sitting in the middle of the park.

Moving aIong I continued into the more exclusive area of West Village, but first bought a pair of fabulous green heeled shoes...only $60.00 and really unique.  I had intended on stocking up on winter wardrobe items when I left Oz as they are on sale here, but now figure there isn't a lot of point as I won't have a winter again til May 2012.

Arrived in the Meatpacking District (blend of working slaughter houses, clubs and gentrification), and had ever intention of collapsing on a bar stool for a red wine as the wind was really cold.  However, that is when I spotted the entry to the High Line (recommendation by Choc)...it is an above-ground green space, based around an elevated railway, that has been turned into a park with benches, plants and provides fabulous views of the Hudson River.  I loved it up there, and had a long chat to an elderly man from New Jersey.

It was freezing cold though so left the High Line and went to the nearest bar for a "gutsy" red wine.  By chance the girl I was sitting next to at the bar was an Australian from Newcastle, currently living in Manchester (memories of Maria!!)  The bar was really  quaint with a lot of wood panelling, crystal in cabinets, old silver platters and oil paintings on the walls, led lighting and an open fire.  It was heaven for the next 2 hours.

I then met with Kitty and 'Marty Karate' for a carb dinner.  Both of them were running in the New York half marathon the following day so were loading up on pasta.  Good early meal before I jumped on the subway for Queens...Kitty was staying in Manhattan the night so she could get up early for the marathon.