The Oculus and World Trade Center
“New York was…”
It has taken two weeks to wrap my head around that experience.
New York City was all that I expected and more. I can’t do it justice with anything I can say or show you from the four days we were there. But I can tell you these things (mind you, this is coming from a tourist point of view and someone who has lived on the West Coast most of my life):
It was much larger than I thought: places that I believed to be close together were blocks – miles apart.
It was clean: for as big a place that it is, I saw person after person actually throw trash into trashbins.
It was vibrant: so much life.
It really is open all the time: from the Cubano men hanging out at 11:30pm outside the apartment we stayed at, their music blasting, talking loud and drinking, to jazz clubbers out for a night.
It is a city in motion: the cab vs pedestrian dance. It seemed every driver was honking horns the instant the light changed and not in a hostile way.
It is evolving: the skyline is changing. Construction was going on every day.
The noise (it is a very noisy city). I understand why people get out to the country.
So many well dressed people. We walked a lot and saw so many put together people.
“Measure twice, cut once.”: That rule applies to navigating, especially on foot. In other words, double check your directions and get your bearings before striking out (we got lost a couple of times).
So many people! Everywhere. All the time. And so friendly and helpful.
And New York City is NO JOKE. You either sink or swim.
Places we visited: the top of 30 Rockefeller Center, the Highline, The Guggenheim Museum, The Oculus over by the World Trade Center One, Central Park by bicycle, Strawberry Fields, The Blue Note Jazz Club, several subways, the Chrysler building lobby, and caught a ferry at twilight to see the City from the River. We were also in Harlem and all the unnamed places in between.
MOST IMPRESSIVE SPOT: the top of 30 Rock
LEAST IMPRESSIVE: Times Square – Flashing Ads. Flashing Ads. Flashing Ads. A lot like Vegas
New York Bagel, yes!
Inside the Oculus.
The Real Brooklyn Bridge
Looking south from 30 Rock. The Statue of Liberty off to the right.
The San Remo Apartments from Central Park.
At the Bethesda Fountain.
Grenich Village
A morning at Central Park. We were there three times!
A cool dude in Harlem.
Video from the Highline. It was a popular spot!
A glass framed view from the Highline walk.
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| No Pizza for me! |
Having Pizza with the drummer from Chick Corea’s band, Marcus Gilmore
New York Dogs
Grand Central Station
Lighting fixtures made of agate – the lobby of the Chrysler Building. Read about it here. It’s a great story!
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Way off to the left, that light green object is the Statue of Liberty.