We had a great time in New York. We walked all over, got good at figuring out the subway maps, and saw lots of sights. Our first day, New Year's Eve, we had great weather as we joined tons of other tourists in walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and riding the Staten Island ferry. We also had lunch at Katz's, the oldest still operating deli in NYC, and the one from the infamous deli scene in
When Harry Met Sally. Chris and Mulzer had a race to run in Central Park at midnight, but Benjamin and I were too pooped to tag along, so after a great dinner at a little taqueria, we barely made it to midnight before we went to sleep.
New Year's Day we braved the rain to walk around Times Square and Fifth Avenue. The weather was almost the opposite of the day before, and the only people out were the tourists - the natives being far more sensible! The only thing we bought was a box of chocolates, but it was fun to at least see some of the stores I have read about in the NY Times. The rain did eventually let up, and we were able to walk around Central Park - you would not believe how many foreign tourists take pictures of the squirrels... (you could tell they were foreign before hearing them speak by the ubiquitous large camera and cigarette).
On Wednesday, we again joined a flood of tourists at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (see above picture to get an idea of how many ) to look at Greek vases, medieval armor, and Monets. Again, you would not believe how many tourists were taking pictures of themselves in front of the various pieces of art work. It seemed to be allowed, as long as they didn't use a flash, or touch the art - although we did see one girl try to lean on a statue, set off the alarm, and still take the picture, all without seeming to alert anyone. We spent four hours at the museum and still didn't see everything. My favorites were the Monet paintings, and seeing some 18th century paintings by French women artists. We are just going to have to go back: to see the Cloisters, the Pierpoint Morgan Library, the inside of the NY Public Library (we saw the lions, but since it was New Year's Day, the library itself was closed), Central Park when it isn't freezing cold, Greenwich Village in the daylight, the Natural History Museum (we did see the subway stop beneath it, where the last picture was taken)...
All in all, it was a good trip. I have decided that I would like to be able to spend time in big cities occasionally, but as far as daily life goes, I am better suited to a smaller town. I like having a subway system to take me around without a car, but I also like being able to walk around the neighborhood and see trees and flowers and grass, instead of concrete. I like the variety available in restaurants, book stores, and groceries, but I also prefer to be somewhere without quite so many people. I find it hard to think clearly when surrounded by so many other people at all times. But, as I said, getting out of the small town for some time in a city is also good - we are already planning our next trip, when it is warm again.
New Year's Day we braved the rain to walk around Times Square and Fifth Avenue. The weather was almost the opposite of the day before, and the only people out were the tourists - the natives being far more sensible! The only thing we bought was a box of chocolates, but it was fun to at least see some of the stores I have read about in the NY Times. The rain did eventually let up, and we were able to walk around Central Park - you would not believe how many foreign tourists take pictures of the squirrels... (you could tell they were foreign before hearing them speak by the ubiquitous large camera and cigarette).
On Wednesday, we again joined a flood of tourists at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (see above picture to get an idea of how many ) to look at Greek vases, medieval armor, and Monets. Again, you would not believe how many tourists were taking pictures of themselves in front of the various pieces of art work. It seemed to be allowed, as long as they didn't use a flash, or touch the art - although we did see one girl try to lean on a statue, set off the alarm, and still take the picture, all without seeming to alert anyone. We spent four hours at the museum and still didn't see everything. My favorites were the Monet paintings, and seeing some 18th century paintings by French women artists. We are just going to have to go back: to see the Cloisters, the Pierpoint Morgan Library, the inside of the NY Public Library (we saw the lions, but since it was New Year's Day, the library itself was closed), Central Park when it isn't freezing cold, Greenwich Village in the daylight, the Natural History Museum (we did see the subway stop beneath it, where the last picture was taken)...
All in all, it was a good trip. I have decided that I would like to be able to spend time in big cities occasionally, but as far as daily life goes, I am better suited to a smaller town. I like having a subway system to take me around without a car, but I also like being able to walk around the neighborhood and see trees and flowers and grass, instead of concrete. I like the variety available in restaurants, book stores, and groceries, but I also prefer to be somewhere without quite so many people. I find it hard to think clearly when surrounded by so many other people at all times. But, as I said, getting out of the small town for some time in a city is also good - we are already planning our next trip, when it is warm again.
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