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Parker Meridien Gingerbread<a href="http://www.cityharvest.org/" target="_blank">City Harvest</a>’s 2012 Gingerbread Extravaganza has transformed the beautiful entryway of iconic midtown hotel <a href="http://www.parkermeridien.com/index1.php" target="_blank">Le Parker Meridien</a> into the most delicious lobby in town. This year’s theme is <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/lego-landmark-architecture/" target="_blank">Landmarks of the World</a>, and local bakers have <a href="http://inhabitat.com/diy-make-your-own-gingerbread-geodesic-dome-house/" target="_blank">cooked up a gingerbread whirlwind</a> of global landmarks. From a gingerbread Lincoln Memorial to a gingerbread Great Sphinx, visitors can vote on their favorite designs for a chance to win a vacation at the Parker Palm Springs in California.1
Parker Meridien GingerbreadAs visitors enter the gorgeous vaulted ceiling lobby, they are greeted with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/this-edible-gingerbread-star-wars-at-at-will-go-down-with-a-glass-of-milk/" target="_blank">sugary symbols</a> from around the world, each handmade by local bakeries.2
Parker Meridien Gingerbread<a href="http://www.shopkyotofu.com/" target="_blank">Kyotofu</a>’s candy roofed <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/kyoto-toji.htm" target="_blank">Toji Tower</a> spans for four levels of gingerbread-pagoda goodness in traditional Japanese architecture. A candy cane is put in place for the peak of the Buddhist temple, while gingerbread monks mingle in the snow.3
Parker Meridien GingerbreadPerhaps inspired by the new flick, <a href="http://bakedideas.com/" target="_blank">Baked Ideas</a> honored our 16th president, with a gingerbread tribute to the Lincoln Memorial- winter style. The statuesque cookie Abe is clad in blue winter mittens, and matching ear muffs- made from gingersnaps!4
Parker Meridien GingerbreadTwo cookie horses guard the landmark, toting a ginger chariot for an unseen gingerbread man leader.5
Parker Meridien GingerbreadOn the other side of the world, the great steps of ziggurat <a href="http://www.chichenitza.com/" target="_blank">Chichen Itza</a> has been remade in spicy cookie, by <a href="http://www.butterflybakeshop.com/" target="_blank">Butterfly Bakeshop</a>, perhaps chosen to kick off the end of the Mayan calendar this month.6
Parker Meridien GingerbreadThe ruins of Scotland weren’t forgotten, with <a href="http://northendgrillnyc.com/" target="_blank">North End Grill</a>’s rendition of 12th Century <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urquhart_Castle" target="_blank">Castle Urquhart</a> in the Scottish Highlands. A fondant Lochness Monster swims around the cookie castle.7
Parker Meridien GingerbreadPerhaps the most recent “landmark” is <a href="http://parkermeridien.com/eat1.php" target="_blank">Le Parker Meridien's Norma</a>’s <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57542164/crane-dangles-from-nyc-high-rise-as-hurricane-sandy-bears-down-on-city/" target="_blank">Hurri-CRANE</a>, representing the broken crane that dangled to the fright of New Yorkers after the hurricane. Located just a block away, Le Parker Meridien was among the buildings evacuated in fear that the crane would further collapse.8
Parker Meridien GingerbreadThe gorgeous display will be at the hotel until January 3 rd. Visitors can buy voting tickets for $1, with a chance to win a 5 night stay at the Parker Palm Springs in California.9
Parker Meridien GingerbreadEven if you don’t win, buying a ticket is for a good cause- all proceeds will benefit City Harvest.10










