For Day 20 we decided to pay a visit to the United Nations, located on the eastern shore of Manhattan. Despite our rather sketchy experience with taxis the previous day, we decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and try again. The concierge again rang the central number for dispatch and was told it would be a 20 minute wait. 20 minutes later, the concierge rang them back and was told something had happened to the cab that had been despatched and there were now no accessible vehicles available. Just about to give up and walk to the nearest bus stop, the hotel doorman managed to hail one and came to our rescue (yep, we tipped him for that!). The taxi ride over there was fine until we came to FDR Drive, where driving over the huge potholes almost threw me out of my wheelchair (like most of the taxi drivers, this one didn't seem to have a clue about how to use the clamps and seatbelt for the chair!). After that rather scary experience, I was delighted when we arrived at the UN and I could get out!
Another tourist attraction, another security checkpoint - and again security officers with very limited people skills! You have to wonder where they find these people or whether the job is really that bad to make them so unhelpful and unfriendly. Once through security, we met up again with Tubb & Helen, who had been patiently waiting for us. After the requisite time period before us men are allowed to ask anyone for directions or advice, Tubb & I went off to find out about the guided tours. Thankfully, we were able to locate a very helpful sign which meant we didn't need to ask anybody, much to the relief of our masculine pride!
For $16 each, we were taken on a 45 minute tour of the UN building, where we got to see the General Assembly, as well as various exhibits on the work of the UN and gifts from national delegations. Including an intricate sculpture made completely of ivory, donated by China in 1974, prior to trade in ivory being made illegal. Quite a thought-provoking piece denoting simultaneous artistry and cruelty (6 elephant tusks were used). Some very interesting information on the hugely valuable work the UN is doing to tackle poverty, remove landmines and monitor agreements, as well as their work on nuclear disarmament which seems less likely to bring about meaningful change (but maybe that's just the cynic in me). Our tour guide, who was from Venezuela was extremely chatty and made the tour very enjoyable.
All in all a very interesting afternoon, after which we paused to collect belongings from security - which basically comprised going up to the security booth, handing in your ticket, getting the window slammed in your face, then a minute later opened again and your bag silently thrust out at you (it's the people skills that impress me!). After stopping for lunch, we ventured towards the Rockefeller building, one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan which offers an observatory experience similar to the Empire State building, but with smaller crowds. Nevertheless, there was a fair bit of waiting around, and another security checkpoint (don't get me wrong, I'm glad this security is there, getting blown up isn’t on my list of priorities for the trip!).
The view from the Top of the Rock is really fantastic, and gives a good view of the whole island, including Central Park and the Empire State building, neither of which you can see from the Empire State building itself! It actually takes you longer to find the lift than it does to get to the top of the 70 floors! After admiring the view for some time, we descended to the bottom (Exiting in the middle of the shop, as you would expect - a real tourist trap!). The size of the shopping complex, all built around the single point of the building being quite tall, is quite astounding, and makes you think there is considerable money in making buildings just that little bit taller than the competition.
After splitting up from Tubb & Helen with plans to meet up again tomorrow we returned to our hotel sometime after seven, pretty exhausted after what was a very productive day. Not feeling like facing another restaurant search, we popped over to the market opposite and got some microwaveable meals to eat in our rooms. It felt quite nice to veg out for a change, and the meatballs and tomato sauce were not too bad at all! Steffen also did quite well to pick up 2 dinners at the market (no, he wasn't paying!), despite protesting that he's not really that big of an eater! We vowed to have a nice relaxing day for Day 21!
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