New York Leaving Denver very early the Monday morning after the Ragdoll Congress, Chris and I took two flights to Newark Airport in New York.  What an experience that was!  The two kittens behaved like champions even though we got stranded at the airport for a couple of hours.  Taking a taxi to Chris' home, I had the ride of my life travelling at 65 miles per hour in rush hour traffic!  The next day we stayed at home ... recuperating! When my mom-in-law heard that I would be spending time in New York, she made me promise that no matter what, I would have tea at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Sorry Mom ... you know tea is not my favourite ... but I did have the best ever cheesecake in the whole world    Having a delicious lunch at Tavern on the Green on Wednesday L to R Linn, Vicky (a friend of Chris'), Marge (Chris' sister) & Chris   Next stop was the Empire State Building. The information brochure tells you to allow 2 hours for queuing ... It is true!     Once on top, I was petrified of the height!  I gathered enough courage to move closer to the boundary wall to pose for these pictures!  After catching numerous trains and walking towards Broadway, we had a well-deserved coffee break at a side-walk cafe!   After my experience with Sue Shorey's beautiful Arabians while in Michigan, I felt at ease patting the NY cops ... er .. horses! New York streets at night ... What an experience! Thousands of weird and wonderful people ... But they could never be as weird as the Broadway show we went to see!  Thursday we had yet another busy day ... We started off doing the Greenwich Village Culinary Tour. (An absolute must should you ever visit NY!!) We visited 18 eateries/bakeries/delicatessens and sampled some of the most delicious cheeses, pizza, breads, ice-cream, etc.   Some of the members of the tour group Todd, the tour leader A funny thing happened at the cheese shop ... I eyed the most delicious-looking ricotta cake and bought a slice, asking for it to be cut up in bite-size pieces.  As I pulled it over the counter, one of the tour members helped herself to a piece ... a big piece!  I realised that she didn't have a clue that it was not a "tour sample".  We laughed over it and a little while later, she presented me with a much bigger piece ... which Chris hid away till I left for South Africa, eating it all herself!   We visited Lee Chumley's "Speak Easy".  It was a pub/restaurant during prohibition era and at that time nobody was allowed to speak out against the government.  At Lee's place, patrons had the freedom to voice their opinions.  Lee had friends in the police force and they would call him in advance, prior to a raid, saying, "We are 86'ing", meaning that they would be raiding house number 86, which is the address of Lee's house.  The drinking guests would then flee through a secret revolving book shelf, run down the street, and enter another restaurant where it would seem as if they weren't drinking.   The narrowest house in NY - only 9' wide and 30' deep ... it sold for $1.6m!! The entrance to the famous "Speak Easy" The tour was not only about eating ... The tour leader was knowledgeable and told us many interesting facts about the history of Greenwich Village, its buildings, streets and people. We even got to see the famous apartment building of the TV show "Friends".    Exhausted, we had a well-deserved rest for our weary feet and dry throats at "Cafe Corner " in Greenwich Village. This spot is called that because on each corner, there is a side-walk cafe More trains took us to Ground Zero ...   The thought of the destruction and horror left me speechless ...   After walking around Seaport Harbour and filling up with strong NY coffee, we made our way to the boat for our Dinner Cruise!!   An unbelievable sight at night ... The NY skyscrapers lit up brightly; the Statue of Liberty in all her glory with a large USA flag flying proud glowed ... I still get shivers thinking back to that evening! I felt quite proud of myself for being able to identify the Chrysler Building when an American tourist couldn't ... and neither could my hostesses! Friday, my last day in the USA, was spent trying to squeeze all my clothes, purchases and presents into the suitcases.  Too soon it was time for us to leave for JFK Airport. Thank You once again Chris and Family for the wonderful time I spent in NY -- an experience I will always treasure and never forget! Sadly, on 18 December 2002, Marge died in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. I am honoured that I had the chance to meet this vivacious lady ... MHDSRIP Arriving at Heathrow the next morning, I had some eight hours before my last flight back home. Diane & Andy Lamacraft of Rosauris Ragdolls fetched me at the airport and I visited with them at their beautiful home in the country-side.  After a lovely lunch, we were on our way to visit Chris & Allen of Cheham Ragdolls where I feasted my eyes on more beautiful Ragdoll cats and delightful, playful kittens.  Wish I had space in my overnight bag ... Would have brought some UK kitties home with me!! The next morning I arrived back home ... exhausted after travelling home for three days, homesick and minus one suitcase!  Yes, the airline company managed to lose THE suitcase -- the one containing all the gifts!!  Luckily it was returned to me the next day, in a sorry state of repair ... but was shortly after replaced with a much bigger and stronger one! I had tremendous fun ... learned a lot, met some of my Internet friends and am so grateful for having had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  Thank You to everybody that made my holiday such a wonderful one!