A late start for me today. I slept until 4.20 today so a tad later than usual. We had a great day yesterday. Michael, Caroline and I headed to Grand Central Terminal at around 9.30. It was a good idea for us to get our bearings and check where we were due to meet at 12.30. A bit of travel advice - Check the dates on any reviews on Tripadvisor. Instructions were to meet at the Whitney Museum at 12.30. We found it on the map and could not believe it could be five blocks away (five New York blocks are big blocks). We were just deciding whether to make our way there when Caroline found someone who knew about where these tours met. Just over the road from the station and the site of the old museum. We had nearly two hours to spare so made our way up to the Public Library and Bryant Park. My favourite spot on my last visit is still my favourite spot. It was a glorious day so we wandered around, watching the chess players, table tennis enthusiasts and children on the carousel. I had to show Caroline the toilets (voted 'Best Public Toilet in New York' on Tripadvisor (why should we believe them?). Well thanks to Tripadvisor there was now a queue running out onto the pavement. It was worth the wait though. Shucks there is something wrong with me if I can get excited about a public toilet in New York (but I do) and I took a picture (or four).
We stopped in at a couple of shops on 5th Avenue and then made our way back to the meeting spot. Our tour guide was Maddy - a New Yorker who had a voice like The Nanny and was enthusiastic and loud. It was nearly a two hour 'free tour', was very interesting and also incorporated buildings in the area and their history.
After the tour we met Joanna (at Bryant Park). We bought ourselves a baguette for lunch and then made our way to Central Park. Now I am not too good on East and West but we decided to explore the side that we had not done before (opposite to the more popular fountain and Strawberry Fields side). I think we could have started north?
We had a great walk (at least 10kms), past the public pool and through some forest and along the road with cyclists and runners everywhere. The reservoir had great views of the city and we found the Conservatory Garden (which was wonderful), we sat and had a well earned rest and a Coke, some nuts (and a few Oat Cakes from our St Andrews picnic). It was after 4.30 and still really hot (but not muggy - just perfect) and was time to make our way back down 5th Avenue to meet Jaye and Theo. Theo is gorgeous and was worth waiting for. We met them on Union Square - my word this square opens your eyes to so much. Drug addicts (all with dogs), the greatest selection of man buns and cross dressers, a wonderful children's park with amazing equipment and, just generally, the most diverse bunch of people in one place that I have ever seen. Sadly, I was too overwhelmed to even take a picture.
It was then supper time and time to meet Chris. We had an enormous meal (we really should have shared) at a Greek restaurant near Washington Sqaure. After supper (and a pint), we made our way down to Washington Square through Greenwhich Village. It was a balmy night and the square was humming. A couple were in the fountain singing love songs to each other, children were trying to catch catapult spinning top lights that shoot into the sky, some sand art, a marimba band, poignant messages in chalk being written on ground, puppets, old couples holding hands and dancing (not Michael and I, this time). I could have spent the night there but it was getting late and time to head home. Some were yawning (not me).
Home and bedtime. I had received a message from Hans who had arrived in New York from Holland. Joanna gave me advice on where we should meet tomorrow. We are goving to walk the High Line and 'hang out'. He knows New York well. It is always great when he gets to Cape Town and it is going to be fun to spend time together in this incredible city.
Not sure what else today has in store but it is getting light outside, Michael snores gently beside me, the fan blows cool air from the ceiling onto me and I feel just like Carrie Bradshaw sitting on my bed writing on my computer in my New York apartment. Maybe not hey? I don't have the shoes!
'The' toilet
Sorry to go on about this but this is the toilet. You press the button and the seat gets covered in sterile cling wrap. You have to be quick because as you stand it automatically flushes. A new feature since 2009 and one that gave me such a fright that my $31 Metro card fell out of my pocket. It was still there 5 minutes later when I realized it was missing. I jumped the queue and found lying forlornly at the door.
Grand Central Terminal
The Campbell Apartment. An office in the old days belonging to John Campbell, a friend of Cornelius Vanderbilt (the railway magnate who built the station). It is now a fancy cocktail bar, small and dark, $15 for a glass of wine and a serious dress code.
More Grand Central chandeliers
The Conservatory Garden - note the lady painting in the corner
Things to do in Central Park - your yoga stretches, serene people watching, taking a stone out of your shoe and taking a picture on your iPad (I confess, I am turning into my mother - the iPad comes out to take pictures for the blog, when the phone battery dies (which for some reason is far too often). I amusing my camera but have not had a chance to get to a computer to download the pictures and then I have to email them to myself to use on the blog.
Nice panoramic picture from my phone
Singing a duet in the fountain and showing off some serious dance moves
Have a wonderful day!
No comments:
Post a Comment