Today is the day to see the big attractions. We made our way to the subway, which was only two blocks either direction from the hotel, and got ourselves a fun pass. Our first excursion required a train change, which made things interesting. So downtown we went to Battery Park, and since we were warned by the subway regulars that the Battery Park stop was closed, we got off one before and walked the rest of the way. Our path included Wall Street and another cool building that I can't remember the name of..

We walked a little in Battery Park and then made our way to Clinton Fort, where you buy the ferry tickets to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Of course, we got in the LONG line due to foreigners with a language and credit card vs cash issue, but I figured the ferry wouldn't leave without us. Tickets in hand, down to the harbor and into the ferry line we went. We encountered the usual 'rolex in a suitcase' sellers, and a couple of acrobatics who tried to get audience participation from April (that's what happens when you are so cute :).

On the ferry, and we got on soon enough to sit on the top deck lifeguard box, which is in the back. That thrill lasted about 15 minutes, until everyone decided to come stand in front of us. The ferry, Miss Circle Line, took us first to Liberty Island. This was the weekend of the Sail for the Americas; Saturday was the quiet sail up and down the water between Jersey and Manhattan. We took several pictures of Lovely Lady Liberty, then stopped for water and a cheddar fish snack cheddar fish on the side facing Ellis Island.

Our next ferry was Miss Liberty, which took us over to Ellis Island and the immigration office. Interesting note: single women and children were not allowed to leave the island without an escort. They had to stay in the dormitories provided, and were shipped back if they couldn't prove they had somewhere to go. Men were denied if they couldn't prove they had skills that would allow them to take care of themselves. And if you didn't pass the medical exam... bye bye.

Our trip back to Manhattan was again on Miss Circle Line with some guy making a movie, of his family it appeared, and the same obnoxious teenagers from Day One. Luckily for us, with an adult chaperone this time (their mom?).

We made our way back north towards Ground Zero. It was pretty easy to find, as all I did was loo for the big, gaping hole where a building should have been. The fire truck helped, too. Since we never saw the WTC for real before, we really didn't get a sense of what was missing.

Back to find a subway entrance, and on the way, we walked by the church that was used for Ground Zero rests and refreshments. Finally found an open subway stop, and took the uptown train to midtown and our hotel. We changed fairly quickly, and continued uptown to 57th street and the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.

We continued uptown to Lincoln Center and the opera Don Giovanni, the story of Don Juan opera style. I wasn't sure how long the walking and dinner would take, so we got there quite early. Hanging out where the (waterless) fountain is, we watched people come and go, including a young man quickly wrapping a gift. There was also a little street fair there.

The opera lasted FOREVER, but at least it was somewhat funny. As this is my second opera, I can say with assurance that they are not for me. At least April liked it. FINALLY it was over, and we could leave. We took the downtown subway back to Times Square and our hotel, and our one and only experience of someone talking smack to us.