Well day one is officially coming to a close.  A very tired close. It was an amazing day to start our journey throughout the streets of New York.  It was a good, long 8 hour drive into the city where I had tremendous conversations with a fellow teacher (Ken) about life, baseball, children, traveling, food and at times our rambling chaotic minds racing and zipping from topic to topic with little rhyme or reason behind it.  It was great!

Once in the city we were able to take the New York subway into Brooklyn, which was much nicer than I expected (the subway that is...I expected Brooklyn to be great, and it was!)  We toured a park, saw a great monument to prisoners from the Revolution and walked around the city until we discovered Chateau Calhoun; one of the hidden gems of the city.  From it's rich mahogany smell, it's many leather bound books and it's great ambiance in the garden area, we could not have asked for a better rest in our day.  He truly is a scholar and a gentleman. 

To end our night, we had a great sushi dinner at a restaurant that is so close to our hotel you could literally throw a rock and hit it if you were so inclined.  I am not so inclined, so I will refrain. 

Tomorrow is going to be a full day. Full of travel that is!  Breakfast at 7am, on the road by 7:30 to see Ellis Island (Thinking of the Godfather II the whole way), then the 9/11 memorial amongst other sites.  It will definitely be a fun-filled day with a group of great teachers and friends. 

The history and culture of the city is apparent from every view, sight, smell and person that you encounter.  Having never been to NYC before, I had high expectations; so far they have all been exceeded! I look forward to the next 5 days.