Arrived in New York on a chilly, rainy afternoon…and to the Pod Hotel – and yep, the room was fractionally larger than a pod but not much – just enough room for a bed, some hanging space and a bathroom like you find on a plane. But..it is New York and space is at a premium. In fact, it was a pretty cool hotel – decorations were great and everything very new – and you could go up on the roof (a song title there!) – the 14th floor – and get quite a good view of skyscrapers, especially at night. The hotel was in a good position and could walk to a lot of things – though the metro is great. The next day a healthy breakfast for a change – a million choices of food here of course…then met up with L from Wagga – she was also here in NY so we spent the day together. Off to the 9/11 site and Memorial – lots of work going on there and not really clear to me what is being done. Passed the Rockefeller Center – ice skating finished for the year. In fact is springtime and the Big Apple looking nice with lots of bulbs and blossom – surprisingly pretty. Then shopping – of course – at Century 21 – it is reasonable here and so much choice…also went to Macys and got some shirts – they do different sleeve lengths here – so could actually get some that fitted OK…and of course, the assistant I asked about this turned out to be an Australian…a strangely small world! Later to the Paley Center and their television archive – a good visit – in my report..
In the evening a great dinner at a Thai restaurant – really special – and after the South, again smacked of healthiness! The next day, the New York Public Library - terrific – and walked down to Times Square – not that great in day time but interesting! Back and had to move hotels – the Pod couldn’t accommodate me over the weekend. So taxi to the Bedford, close by (and very close to Union Station which is another magnificent ediface). This was much more upmarket (and surprise, surprise, much more expensive!). But was very comfortable – and much bigger – even had a fridge and stove – unheard of here (not that I used them much). Actually had a bath and a bit of a rest. In evening went back to Times Sq and Broadway and saw a brilliant production of Macbeth (set in a sort of 1950s fascist state – a bit like the cinema version of Richard III a few years ago). Was terrific and Patrick Stewart (Star Trek, X Men) played Macbeth. A great evening – and out into Broadway at about 11.15pm and it was packed – a zillion people around – very colourful and a good feel.
Saturday – and a bit rainy and cool again. Walked down past the Empire State Building – not as impressive as I’d expected – and line too long to wait to go up it. Down to the flatiron building – that looks good and a nearby a little park – all blossom and fresh green and heaps of people walking dogs. Back to hotel and met up with E from Philly. Weather had cheered up so we headed off to Central Park and Strawberry Fields and the Dakota Building…the Strawberry Fields Memorial a bit ordinary – I’m sure they could have done better than that – couldn’t Yoko have come up with a few zillion bucks to create something impressive?? Looks like a bit of mosaic work that cost about $72…a bit sad…though lots of people around. Walked around park – is lovely – then to the Met – one of the world’s great museums…a brilliant collection of classical art as well as heaps of other stuff. Not enough time to see everything…though up onto the roof and a lovely view of the Park and Manhatten skyline. Walked back to hotel down Fifth Avenue and all those shops…though surprisingly, didn’t actually buy anything!
In evening we met a friend of Es at Union Station and subway to the Bowery and a trendy bar for dinner followed by music at The Bowery Ballroom…a great venue. Enough people but not packed and some great music. Headline act Jesse Malin – a local lad – (http://www.jessemalin.com/ don’t be put off by the soulful photo!) who did two long sets – one sort of singer/songwriter then second with his band. In the end I was knackered by about 1.00am and had to bow out…we headed off shortly after – the band still going strong – into a really cold night.
And that was NY – everything you expect – busy, hectic, millions of restaurants, pubs, fast food on the corners etc etc… but also surprisingly (I thought) attractive – some great architecture, even the tacky areas look like they are on the up…a place to come back to!
In the evening a great dinner at a Thai restaurant – really special – and after the South, again smacked of healthiness! The next day, the New York Public Library - terrific – and walked down to Times Square – not that great in day time but interesting! Back and had to move hotels – the Pod couldn’t accommodate me over the weekend. So taxi to the Bedford, close by (and very close to Union Station which is another magnificent ediface). This was much more upmarket (and surprise, surprise, much more expensive!). But was very comfortable – and much bigger – even had a fridge and stove – unheard of here (not that I used them much). Actually had a bath and a bit of a rest. In evening went back to Times Sq and Broadway and saw a brilliant production of Macbeth (set in a sort of 1950s fascist state – a bit like the cinema version of Richard III a few years ago). Was terrific and Patrick Stewart (Star Trek, X Men) played Macbeth. A great evening – and out into Broadway at about 11.15pm and it was packed – a zillion people around – very colourful and a good feel.
Saturday – and a bit rainy and cool again. Walked down past the Empire State Building – not as impressive as I’d expected – and line too long to wait to go up it. Down to the flatiron building – that looks good and a nearby a little park – all blossom and fresh green and heaps of people walking dogs. Back to hotel and met up with E from Philly. Weather had cheered up so we headed off to Central Park and Strawberry Fields and the Dakota Building…the Strawberry Fields Memorial a bit ordinary – I’m sure they could have done better than that – couldn’t Yoko have come up with a few zillion bucks to create something impressive?? Looks like a bit of mosaic work that cost about $72…a bit sad…though lots of people around. Walked around park – is lovely – then to the Met – one of the world’s great museums…a brilliant collection of classical art as well as heaps of other stuff. Not enough time to see everything…though up onto the roof and a lovely view of the Park and Manhatten skyline. Walked back to hotel down Fifth Avenue and all those shops…though surprisingly, didn’t actually buy anything!
In evening we met a friend of Es at Union Station and subway to the Bowery and a trendy bar for dinner followed by music at The Bowery Ballroom…a great venue. Enough people but not packed and some great music. Headline act Jesse Malin – a local lad – (http://www.jessemalin.com/ don’t be put off by the soulful photo!) who did two long sets – one sort of singer/songwriter then second with his band. In the end I was knackered by about 1.00am and had to bow out…we headed off shortly after – the band still going strong – into a really cold night.
And that was NY – everything you expect – busy, hectic, millions of restaurants, pubs, fast food on the corners etc etc… but also surprisingly (I thought) attractive – some great architecture, even the tacky areas look like they are on the up…a place to come back to!
2 comments:
Yes, well I'm not sure you'll find Patrick Stewart anywhere in Star Wars but at least you're having a good enough time not to care about such trivial details!
Keep up the good logs!
Paul
Yeah sorry - got my Stars mixed up!!
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