My friend posted the link below on Facebook and I thought it was the coolest thing.
I have 6 nephews all of whom are obsessed with trains.
They would love to ride in a vintage subway car running in the city starting Sept.  Well, why don’t I stop saying my nephews would love to do it because I will have to check it out myself and will probably enjoy it just as much.
Here are more specifics that I found online via the gothamist:

“Starting on Saturday, September 3rd an authentic vintage 1920’s train will run on the express 2/3 track in Manhattan throughout September (specifically, from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Originally operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) system, the train began service back in 1917 and will once again be operational. Customers who have the opportunity to ride the vintage train will be transported back in time to the Prohibition era with authentic details such as rattan seats, ceiling fans and drop sash windows, as well as a custom branded interior featuring Boardwalk Empire-inspired period artwork.

This will be around for four weekends, running through the 25th of September, and will be making stops at 96th, 72nd, and Times Square-42nd street stations only. Bonus: the final weekend some HBO folks will be on the streets to distribute complimentary MetroCards in the vicinity of the Times Square-42nd and 72nd street stations. No word on if there will be air conditioning on the trains, so you might want to leave your wool Oxford Bags at home.”

Check out the link to the article below for even more info.:

Retro Subway Car

            “One who is in alignment with who they are is more powerful than millions who are not.”
                                                                                                                              

 

Everything is pretty shut down in the city which doesn’t even happen on Christmas Day.
For instance, I couldn’t get my usual latte and croissant this morning because everything is closed.
Oh the travesty, I know.

My little pup outfitted in his rain parka.

As for preparation, I have never been this stocked up for any storm.  Meaning, when we are told we are getting three feet of snow, I don’t really do much.  Everything seems to some how open up and function.  As expected, Whole Foods in Union Square yesterday afternoon was jammed. There was no noise or chatter, just bustling New Yorkers who were very focused on getting what they needed and on line for 30-40 minute wait to pay.  There were a few people who were all flustered and not polite, but you will always have a handful who aren’t your typical New Yorker and can’t handle the pressure.  Essentially, it was organized chaos.  In any event, this Irene character is a different breed than any 2 foot snowstorm.  Flooding is what we are all worried about.  Let’s hope she heads out to sea and misses all of us.  I took a few shots walking around today and here they are:

West Village: Greenwich Ave. – Jonathan Adler

This is why I love New Yorkers – the sarcasm with a tinge of drama.  Makes me laugh every time. If you can’t read it, it says, “Due to the wrath of Irene, we’ll be at home Saturday and Sunday.  Be Safe.”

About 3pm in the afternoon today this is what approaching Union Square looked like. On Saturday it is usually filled with booths for the farmers market.  There were some booths open this morning around 10am, but they obviously cleared out.

Con Ed: Taking the place of the Farmer’s Market on Union Square in what looks like a brigade of Con Ed trucks.

Subway in Union Square closed.  What?  Never say never.

San Gimignano is a great little town to visit.  It’s very quaint.  We drove in, but you can take a bus there too (25 min. from Florence).  There are wonderful little shops that line the streets/walkways and as you look to the horizon you will see the remaining 14 medieval towers that it is known for (there were 72 towers at one point).  Apparently, back then everyone wanted to beat the Jones’ so they were always trying to build a bigger, better tower as a sign of their wealth, superiority, etc.  The competitive little town eventually got hit by a major plague and after that Florence took control of it.  We sat and had coffee when we arrived.  Later in the afternoon we had a really nice lunch and just enjoyed the atmosphere.

You can see the archways to all the little shops and if you look straight back, those are some of the towers.

I ate pizza as much as possible on this trip. So light and satisfying.  And of course, some Rose’ for lunch:)

There was a viewing tower so we climbed up.  I am not one for heights, but I survived.  I have to look straight ahead whenever on a ski lift.  Check out the view behind me.

Another fabulous view from the viewing tower.

We spent one full day walking around Florence.
Just an FYI:  I’m sure those who have been there are aware, you can’t drive into Florence.   Everything is blocked off to any traffic so you can train it in, bus it in or the best bet is to have someone drop you.  We were lucky enough to have a driver drop us off and it was about a 10 minute walk into the center of Florence from where we were dropped.  En route there our driver took us to a well known viewing stop of Florence.  Check it out.  Talk about gorg.

View of Florence.  NICE.

I’m addicted to chocolate croissants.  So, I had to get one when we stopped for a coffee/tea break in Florence.  Their chocolate croissants are filled with chocolate pudding.  It was fine, but I prefer my American style chocolate croissant with real dark chocolate in the middle.  Now I know.