NYC - Day Three Shopping (Macy's and more), Rockefeller Tree and Library

Day three of our trip was entirely devoted to exploration and touring. We saw everything from Tiffany Co. to Lindt, to Hollister where (in my opinion) we had the rather unfortunate experience of seeing live models (which at first glance we confused for manikins). We spent almost the entire day grabbing each other's arms to weave through the crowds and getting a little worried when suddenly we couldn't see someone. Hard to tell we come from a smaller town eh?

When we got to the Rockefeller Center it was quite busy since everyone wanted to see the newly lit tree. Getting a photo with nothing but the tree in it was quite difficult, resulting in the first photo having a large tuft of Meghan's hair.

Our adventures continued when Sam was stopped by two random men from the Netherlands (I think) who proceeded to ask her several different questions about the meaning or Christmas. The camera just loves Sam!

The Library.

Empire Sate building. We took a couple of pictures then quickly moved on to Macy's.

This is the ginormous Macy's that is the largest store in the world. Due to the large crowds we were overwhelmed on the first floor by the flood of Christmas shoppers getting ready for the holiday. 

NYC - Day Two Times Square

After much walking we decided to take a much need break in which we stopped in at TGI Fridays for a late lunch... or maybe I should say early supper. While we were there we had quite the interesting waiter. He loved our group and found us quite entertaining as we had become tuckered out and sang to various songs, talked in loud voices and just in general joked around. He imagined we were quite younger then we actually were (apparently when we wear jeans and t-shirts we all look younger). After eating soup and salad we decided  that chocolate brownie delight was a must. Splitting two between the five of us we were pleasantly surprised when we received our bills with now brownie cost. Our waiter explained that since he liked us so much and that we were such great customers that the brownies were on him. Who says you don't get great service in big cities in the states! 

We then moved on to Time Square where we were hoping to catch a glimpse of the lighting of the tree.

We then discovered that there are many different characters walking around who you can take your picture with. We were however confused with the fact that Elmo was holding a chipmunks head, and the chipmunk was nowhere to be found... (see the picture below with Kathleen)

Since we figured watching the tree be lit would be quite the experience we pushed our way through the crowds attempting to get a view. So we were there, but not for long since the crowds were a monstrosity and we couldn't even see anything.

We thought this sign was slightly ironic considering we were not moving in the least .. not to mention we were standing in the street.

Upon ditching the crowds waiting for the tree to be lit we immediately decided to do some shopping. This included braving stores that were six times the size of what we are used, and then add four different levels. It was a bit overwhelming.