In a New York Minute (Monday the 12th of August)

(pictures at the bottom)

Finally the day came - leaving DK for 18 days going to New York for the first time.

Alberte is not old enough to understand what it means to go to New York  - so we just told her that we had to fly a long time, and that we were going to a summerhouse. In any case she was looking forward to this day as much as her parents - with great anticipation and excitement! Kaya ( 5 months ) couldn't care less - as long as she is with her family:-)

We left the apartment in Oesterbro CPH around 9.15PM - taking the S-train and the Metro to the Airport. With our new double stroller (see picture below) - it is not that difficult taking the public transportation - even though we brought 2 BIG suitcases (one of them only half full - making room for all the shopping!) Our flight was not leaving until  12.25 PM - so we had plenty of time to take everything very slow (Not fun to be in a rush with 2 small kids!)

CPH Airport; We already checked in the day before - but had to pick up the boarding cards and the suitcase tags in the SAS machines in Terminal 3. The big suitcases were delivered in the drop-off section, and the stroller handed in with the "Odd size" luggage. Then Kaya was placed in the Babybjoern carrying sling - and off we went through Security and the directly to our gate  (C28). We were already called to the gate 1,5 hours before take off. I don't know why? - but assume it has something to do with the fact that it was a bigger plane with more travelers.

Flying; The entire trip across the Atlantic ocean was 8,5 hours - so the BIG question was.... how are the kids going to deal with this.... and is the baby going to cry all the way? Cause that would really challenge the always very "calm and patient" parents :-) Finding our seats was easy - but Kaya was hungry, so I really had to sit down quickly to feed her (easy when still breast feeding). Took some time though - so I started to worry about the trip with Kaya being not so happy from the start. But when landing in Newark airport we could summarize that both kids had behaved extremely well - sleeping most of the time! Alberte played with the iPad, and took small walks with her father and Kaya - when Kaya twice was a bit uncomfortable. I actually managed to see 2 movies (with many interruptions.... - but I did not miss out on the plot of these movies) "Trance" & "A monster in Paris". First one was a drama/mystery film about an art auctioneer who has become mixed up with a group of criminals partners with a hypnotherapist in order to recover a lost painting - more bloody than expected, - but exiting. Last one being a very cute cartoon from 2011 - which can be seen by both kids and the parents.

Newark Security: We expected that it would be a rather long visit in the airport - due to fact that Security in general really has been given much more focus sine 9/11. But it was actually not that long a wait - and everything was very professional. We had to stand in line to show our passports - and then the security officer asked a few questions, and were asked to give him our fingerprints and pictures (Kaya and Alberte didn't have to). Then he wished us a pleasant stay in NY - and we went on to get our suitcases and stroller. In total I think we were on the other side in 45 minutes.

Towards Brooklyn; Then we had to figure out how to get to the apartment. From home we did some investigation - and concluded that a Taxi might be the best choice for us - especially since we have never been there before - then we could take the metro on our way back (let's see...). Quickly there was a nice lady asking us where we were going - asking if she could help us. We talked with 4 different people before it was concluded that we could take a Shuttle Bus - and we were shown to a waiting area. In this short time already so many people had said hi and talked with our daughters - very friendly people!

Waiting time was probably an hour - but it was okay. We knew that we would get there, and someone would drive us to the doorstep. Cost was 65 USD (which is not insignificant - but compared to DK it is quite okay). You have to cross Manhattan to get from Newark Airport to Brooklyn. 

First stop with the shuttle bus was another airport (LaGuardia) - actually the Taxi driver drove like a maniac (at least it felt like that sitting in the back of this rather old shuttle bus)... starting off with stopping in the middle of 2 roads going  different ways (he stopped on the white stripes dividing them) - then he listened to the traffic news and made his choice... which then was LaGuardia. Hereon after we were the only ones in the bus - and funny thing was that the driver was SO PLEASED with himself that he had chosen the right way - he was so glad that the trip to LaGuardia was such a quick trip (what do we know.... he drove faster than we are used to... on these crazy roads in NY - so many cars driving like their life depended on it - getting somewhere in a NY minute..)

Finally we were there - tipping the driver with 5 USD (70 USD in total) - he was happy and so were we.

12th street 371A Park Slope: The key to the front door should be lying under the doormat... or actually it was lying on top of the mat. Not sure why... if I am not mistaken - this must be a sign that it's a very safe neighbourhood we are moving to for 18 days.... The apartment was very nice and according to the pictures that we had seen. Lillian (the owner) welcomed us with a nice basket of goodies (they live downstairs, but have a separate entrance).

FOOD!; We were hungry - so Soeren went straight to the nearest grocery market to buy various things - so we could get some food.  He actually brought home groceries to make a tuna salad - which was perfect in the heat. The humidity was very high, so salad was perfect - and good thing is also that the apartment is air conditioned. Alberte got some pasta, some carrots etc. - and then she was happy.

SLEEP!! We went to bed early 9.30PM - but of course it was actually extremely late for us considering the time difference.We fell a sleep... in a New York minute!

NB: We have trouble with uploading pictures - so be patient. We will make sure they get here.... just have to buy a gadget (Soeren will be great for that) :-) 

(in a picture below you see Albertes travel hair - she was very proud of it! Thanks to Arla (farmor))

  


(picture of our deck outside the kitchen)