New York Day 2: Park, Puppets & Famous People

We had a false start down in Greenwich Village trying to find the cool shops. When we did they were shut until 12:30pm (lazy buggers) so wandered into the Washington Square where that mini-Arch de Triumph is from Friends. Back down to the subway then upto Central Park for a row boat hire - never done this so was a bit confusing with directions. Sun was reaching its peak of hotness so my forehead got a right grilling. Saw the Ghostbusters apartment then onto Tiffany's for Kerry shopping served by 1.5 armed man plus looked at the freaky dolls, oversized stuffed animals and walk-on piano in FAO Swartz.

Avenue Q was a little bit disappointing - jokes had been done before or were aimed at easy-to-please Americans who laughed at anything. There were a few kids in the audience who kept looking up to their parents whenever the actors swore or the puppets had sex which was quite funny. On the whole I doubt it would work well in the UK.

Proper look at Times Square - huge billboards and lights everywhere - bigger than we thought it would be. As we walked back to the hotel masses of crowds starting forming outside the stage doors. After waiting a few minutes David Schwimmer came out to a camera crew and 100's of fans wanting to get a look or autograph. Around the corner was another play exiting with Ralph Fiennes - we took our chance to wait about 30 minutes with every unknown exiting the door to sighs of let downs. However, the actor who played the Emporer from Star Wars was in the same play and came out for autographs then 10 minutes later, Ralph came out. Couldn't believe the number of people there to make a quick ebay buck with signed posters or photos. We drew his attention with our English accents and me shouting out for Kerry's sake. Luckily he had his own pen so we used the Avenue Q programme. An early present for Kerry's birthday!