Downtown to the 9/11 memorial. A lot of building work is going on around it, sadly this meant lots of boarding and fencing obscuring the site as you approached it. However, the footprint holes into the earth's core were spectacular, humbling and moving. Rushing water pouring into infinity, sucking the demolition away to leave a serenity to honour the dead, whose names are carved all around the boundary. So simple but so effective. The oculus rising behind them. Wings of new life. So very clever and poignant. We learned that there is a survivor tree; a type of plum, that was found alive amongst the rubble and has been nurtured back to health and obviously extremely symbolic.
We hthen walked along the esplanade on the Hudson west river which was peaceful and calm after the hubbub of the memorial site and the surrounding business district. We intended to do the tourist thing and take the ferry out to Liberty Island to view the statue but on reflection seeing the crowded ferries on this hot day, we thought we would just enjoy the peace of this area for a while and have lunch by the water overlooking her instead.
We took the subway to Greenwich Village for a reminisce for me. It is up market and rich (not as bohemian anymore) and genteel,Washington Square park neat and tidy surrounded by beautiful houses on tree lined roads, the park with chess players in one corner, (a really good ) jazz band in the centre and several dog walkers walking rich ladies' ( I suspect) pooches. There are fenced off dog compounds for small dogs and large , for them to run and play and generally let off steam; no one allowed in unless they have a dog. Today I was unusually tired and fell asleep on a bench beside Pete, who was very tolerant of me and my aching knees. Greenwich village is still pretty and full of students of NYU whose buildings are all around, but I couldn't find the little individual shops and galleries I remembered nor the basement piano bars - it has changed but why am I surprised, it's been 40 or more years since that experience.
New Yorkers are very helpful. We have had several encounters with passers by when we have been searching our mobile maps. They instantly recognise you are trying to find a road or venue and offer their help and advice - always welcome. And the subway ticket booth workers are equally helpful if a little speedy and offhand with their directions - you have to listen closely: NY drawl, intercom backed with rattling trains defeats my deaf ears; Pete has to take it all in and when you get an overly helpful ticket office man offering too many options, you come away with A train? Uptown to where? But we are on F line and that's an M train coming in and what platform did he say? ( they're not numbered) . Hey, but it's fun and we are learning fast.
We hthen walked along the esplanade on the Hudson west river which was peaceful and calm after the hubbub of the memorial site and the surrounding business district. We intended to do the tourist thing and take the ferry out to Liberty Island to view the statue but on reflection seeing the crowded ferries on this hot day, we thought we would just enjoy the peace of this area for a while and have lunch by the water overlooking her instead.
We took the subway to Greenwich Village for a reminisce for me. It is up market and rich (not as bohemian anymore) and genteel,Washington Square park neat and tidy surrounded by beautiful houses on tree lined roads, the park with chess players in one corner, (a really good ) jazz band in the centre and several dog walkers walking rich ladies' ( I suspect) pooches. There are fenced off dog compounds for small dogs and large , for them to run and play and generally let off steam; no one allowed in unless they have a dog. Today I was unusually tired and fell asleep on a bench beside Pete, who was very tolerant of me and my aching knees. Greenwich village is still pretty and full of students of NYU whose buildings are all around, but I couldn't find the little individual shops and galleries I remembered nor the basement piano bars - it has changed but why am I surprised, it's been 40 or more years since that experience.
New Yorkers are very helpful. We have had several encounters with passers by when we have been searching our mobile maps. They instantly recognise you are trying to find a road or venue and offer their help and advice - always welcome. And the subway ticket booth workers are equally helpful if a little speedy and offhand with their directions - you have to listen closely: NY drawl, intercom backed with rattling trains defeats my deaf ears; Pete has to take it all in and when you get an overly helpful ticket office man offering too many options, you come away with A train? Uptown to where? But we are on F line and that's an M train coming in and what platform did he say? ( they're not numbered) . Hey, but it's fun and we are learning fast.
One World building
No comments:
Post a Comment