New York City
28 August to 03 September 2012
California farewell and hello New York City. Not only does this city never sleep (there's absolutely no rest at all) I've never seen anything like it, the sky has an ongoing battle for real estate with the New York skyscrapers. There's a strange blue thing in between the buildings.
Eventi Hotel
An appropriate name for a boutique hotel in the heart of Manhattan. The view awesome, the hotel room itself tastefully decorated and clearly thought through, and finally, the view from your bed at sunrise is clearly part of the attraction to this boutique hotel.
Although New York is a big city, it's geographic layout is not that large, compared to some cities elsewhere in the world; however, every square inch on the ground, underground and in the air is occupied. Visually stimulating and somewhat overwhelming, this city brings your senses to life, almost over stimulating them from every aspect. Amongst the brown and beige brick buildings, intricate details of everyday life invites you to watch and dissect each movement, each sign of existence.
At this point I need to point out the view looking down into the street, amongst the traffic, one discovers the easily identifiable New York yellow cabs.
The anticipation of exploring this city dares you not to sleep, not to stop, but to keep on going and to seek out the new and the unknown.
Central Park
Amongst this bustling city of non-stop sound and movement, in the centre of Manhattan, this a very large and just as enticing space for peace and relaxation.
A park with a lake to paddle a boat, wide walking paths, an outdoor Shakespearean Theatre, boulders to climb and explore, fountains - one famous for its mark in the show, Angels In America, oh and don't forget the Zoo.
Popping out from above the tree line of Central Park is a reminder of where you are, Manhattan, yet the noise of the city disappears once you're strolling through this park.
Harlem
The Theater is equipped with a recording and television studio in 1981. We took the Metro underground train to Harlem to explore the top end of Manhattan. The Apollo Theatre, still in operation has had an interesting past.
There is a very different feel to Harlem, a slower pace, a community of good and proud people and a sense of harmony. There was some very interesting street art to look at and of course, the clothes shopping was not to be missed. I picked up a great pair of brown leather shoes at a bargain price.
Harlem is the place to be and best placed on your list of places to visit.
Flushing Meadows
Tennis, anyone? Exciting doesn't describe the vibe of this audacious event. Lavish. Spectacular. Sparking. Intoxicating.
A great park for people-watching, this was the site of previous World Fairs and offers visitors bicycle paths, the Queens Wildlife Conservation Center, a carousel, freshwater fishing, indoor ice-skating rink and marina. The gardens and art in Corona Park, surrounding the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre stadium of the US Open are nothing short of spectacular. Beautiful manicured gardens, the world atlas surrounded by the fountain and fans afoot.
Security to enter the US Open is very tight with bag searches, everyday items such as sun tan cream being confiscated and bottles of water. It would seem the organisations setting up inside are quite adamant fans will purchase their items, but so be it, we are here to watch the US Open.
On Centre Court, Serena Williams won her match with great excitement. The fans packed the stadium and the air was thick.
Grand Central Station
Main Concourse's elaborately decorated astronomical ceiling iron is correctly, but the adjacent constellations Taurus and Gemini are reversed both internally and in their relation to Orion. Exciting stuff, eh. This Midtown Manhattan train station is filled with art, highly crafted lighting and more like an elaborate Royal Palace with marble floors, artwork and decorations Grand Central Station is not your typical terminus.
Staten Island Ferry
To my friend, Sue, I have to say this, 'I'm In A New York State Of Mind'
There is a build-up of great anticipation as you await the arrival of the Staten Island Ferry at Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan. Although it is used to ferry passengers between Manhattan and Staten Island, for the sole purpose of the residents and visitors to Staten Island, the ferry service carries approximately 19 million passengers each year. Staten Island is not that big.
The journey from Whitehall Terminal takes you past the Statue of Liberty directly to St. George Ferry Terminal takes about 25 / 30 minutes. Behind you, Manhattan shrinks and widens onto the horizon as you approach Staten Island; the sheer size of Manhattan becomes clearly apparent. Whilst on the Ferry you feel as though you have never left Manhattan.
We were not quite as good looking as the girls from Sex and the City or any of the many other TV shows or movies, but we certainly felt the presence of the Staten Island Ferry.
Twin Towers Ground Zero
There's a very eerie sensation and an overwhelming quiet about the 9/11 Memorial. The North and South Pools of Remembrance freely flow of water. My only experience of the attacks on the Twin Towers is confined to the initial news report on television. I still recall where I was and what I was doing when I saw the initial images of that aeroplane flying into the second tower as the first tower was burning. A small portion of the original collapsed building of one of the Towers remains as it was left, the damaged portion encased in glass; concrete dust remains on the steps.
The building of the new Towers were underway during our visit.
Brooklyn Bridge
We traveled by the Metro Underground to Brooklyn. There is a big difference between Manhattan and Brooklyn, akin to Brooklyn being the hard working borough to the glamorous borough of Manhattan. Brooklyn is a busy borough, keeping you on your toes with a large population.
We walked from Brooklyn to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. A cable suspension bridge, built in 1883. Complete with a bicycle and walking path, the view from Brooklyn Bridge is amazing. The view of Manhattan and Brooklyn is stunning and at the end of the walk, you land near a store selling over 1,000 handbags. Very Sex and the City.
Times Square
If Manhattan was a living, breathing beast, Times Square would have to be the heart, pumping out the life source. Times Square is a magnet for tourists and locals alike to Manhattan, with its walls filled with televisions advertising television and stage shows, old fashioned billboards and merchandising marketing; Spongebob Squarepants. Strangely enough, some people will do anything to earn a dollar and dress up in the strangest outfits, charging a dollar for a photo with them.
Also, there's an opportunity to appear on one of the large television screens, can you see a couple of familiar people in the red square in the photo to the right?
We didn't obtain tickets to the Late Show, but the crowd in the street directed me into the queue for the upcoming show. I had to break the line to get out of the queue, before I was carried away into the recording studio.
If you're going to Manhattan, there are many places to visit, one of those would be Junior's Cheesecake shop. I've tasted many Cheesecakes in my time and nothing beats Junior's cheesecake.
Madison Square Park
Our main purpose for visiting Madison Square Park was to visit the well-known building opposite. The park is a happy escape from the busy midtown area in which Madison Square Park is located.
The Flatiron Building is one of the world's most iconic skyscrapers and a quintessential symbol of New York City.
To see the building in living colour is amazing, it's such an amazing architectural feat.
Meatpacking District
The Meatpacking District is a neighbourhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan which runs roughly from West 14th Street south to Gansevoort Street, and from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street. The area gained its name from the once more than 250 slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants.
In this District, an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad spur called the West Side Line has been converted into a walking path, complete with trees, grass and other plants.
The railway was once used to transport meat from the slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants to the port. Now, there are is a meandering walking path amongst the residential buildings.
On the side of the residential buildings you'll find graffiti artwork, like the black and white picture of the laughing / frowning man. The picture encompasses the entire side of the building, painting over windows. Other pieces of artwork includes residents placing cardboard cutouts of people looking out windows. It's a funny thing to see.
The occasional musician could be found along the way. A good, fun outing.
Theatre Outings
Whilst in Manhattan we saw two live theatre shows; War Horse and Clybourne Park.
I had a great time in New York and as it was my first time and I fell in love with New York and would like to go back again.
