After being in New York for a few days, we began to gain an understanding of the American psyche – a perspective of a resident of New York may go something like this:
‘As an American, I believe I have created my own wealth; built our great city of New York; have the best and the tallest buildings in the world, the most fashionable stores; I am democratic and working to bring democracy to other nations; I am tolerant of others and accommodate all kinds of extremists (political, religious including Christian extremists) as long as they don’t threaten me and my ‘beautiful country/city’. I believe in the individual and in the market place. So it is an outrage that groups or individuals should attack us i.e. Sept 11. We don’t really understand why they would do this. We are bold, brash and beautiful.’
Getting around NY was a breeze with the Metro card, both buses and the subway.
It was warm and sunny in New York. Most people don’t wear hats and when Peter donned his Australian floppy hat (as one does), he became ‘the dork in New York’ – standing out from the crowd.
Our biggest challenge was finding a toilet (‘restroom’). New York is not big on those public facilities. As Peter occasionally experienced bladder issues it became quite interesting on some occasions. After walking across the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge we went in search of the nearest ‘restroom’. We were informed there was one in the nearby grand City Hall. After negotiating security (full electronic scan), an elevator to the third floor we made it just in time.
New York was full of surprises. The highlights for us were:
Sharing a pastrami sandwich at Carnegies Deli (The pastrami on rye bread was the size of a house brick, but with mustard and gherkins was delicious) http://www.carnegiedeli.com/home.php
Spending half a day shopping in Macys and ‘Banana Republic’. Really good for men’s clothes.
Grand Central Station was fantastic (linking in with all those movies which feature it just blew Susan’s mind each time we went there) and (especially the gourmet food market downstairs); the view from the top of the Empire State Building. We could see the Empire State Building from our apartment window. (See photo gallery)
New York Public Library that had a magnificent Centenary exhibition.
The Frick Museum (housed in the magnificent family mansion)
Central Park which is huge and well used. New York State banned smoking in all their parks and beaches from 23rd May 2011.
Washington Square
Hells Kitchen market http://www.hellskitchenfleamarket.com/home/
A Jazz concert at the Village Vanguard and a visit to the National Jazz Museum in Harlem
http://www.jazzmuseuminharlem.org/visitors.php (Scroll through the visitors photos and you may see some distinguished guests)
The High Line – People of New York reclaiming their space and haven’t they done it well!
http://www.thehighline.org/
As well as the Carnegie Deli, we enjoyed some delicious food and terrific restaurants:
The Garage in Greenwich Village. Sitting at a table adjacent to ours was Ice-T (Well known Rapper and Actor in ‘Law & Order’)
http://hiphop.popcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Ice-T-Arrested.jpg
Doma in Greenwich Village
Le Pain Quotidient http://www.lepainquotidien.us/
Pastis http://www.pastisny.com/
De Gennaro restaurant in Little Italy
While we are critical of much that happens in the USA, New York is an exciting and dynamic place to visit.
