NY- Empire State

Woe to those who do not heed the past. If we thought the wait for Lady Liberty was long, the torment of the Empire State was like descending into one of Dante's infernos of hell. For days we had been saying we'll to go to the top and it became a ritual - put it on the 'sights to see today' list and each day continously move it to the next. In my mind I could hear the murmur of our friends and collegues, "What?! You were in NYC and didn't go to the Empire State?!? how could you!" So, with a mournful glance around, I nodded my head to the various other less than eager participants- the German family, Lousianna family, and Texan family I recognized from our ferry trip to Ellis Island- and shuffled into line.

Around 10:00pm we finally made it to the elevator and as we stepped in I sighed in relief. As the doors shut, I leaned against Marco wondering exactly how many skyline photos we really needed for this to be such a quest. I mean after all, we had shots from the plane, from the ferry, from the car, from the bridge... As the steel, gray doors siliently slid open, I let out an ominous gasp. There before my eyes was yet another line!

By 10:45pm we had finally made it to the top. Ironically, after 5 skyline pics Marco's camera battery died. Was it worth it? Well, at least I can hold my head high and say yes, I've been to the top of the Empire State Building!