New York Part 1

There is nothing like the Manhattan skyline and the hustle of people on the streets of New York.
We are staying on Broadway just off Times Square.

The neon lights are flashing on and off through the window and there is the roar of air conditioning, honk of cars and taxis and the occasional siren.
We both have jet lag. Sarah sleeps deeply at strange times. I wake during the night every 2 hours.

We half walk, half run up and down the blocks and streets before giving up and taking the subway (much quicker and less hard on the calf muscles) It’s a race don’t you know? We see the white hand and flashing red hand/countdown on each pedestrian crossing as a challenge. Compulsively good exercise except it is bloody hard to run in heels!

Locals are very friendly. On our first day a chap heard us chatting about where to go and eat and find delis and recommended several of his favourite places. One included a basement noodle shop – Totto Ramen (very warming for a rainy day lunch) and Russ and Daughters for their smoked fish deli.

We fill our days with walking up and down the avenues, in the parks and across town to visit museums and galleries. Central Park is beautiful in the sunshine.

In the Frick gallery (upper East side near Central Park). amongst a Moroni exhibition, we found a jewelled Marten head; relative of a mink. Looked like a dead possum.

The 9/11 memorial and museum. Huge empty deep holes where the WTC towers used to stand. Now lakes with water cascading downwards from ground level into a hole in the middle, like a reverse fountain.

The museum, 5-6 levels underground; felt like a burial chamber. It told the story with actual footage, audio, pictures, twisted metal and objects recovered. It was harrowing. Takes you right back to the day it happened. Very well done but tremendously disturbing. All I could think of was the dead and the screaming. Sarah endured more than I could cope with. I preferred the sunshine and fresh air outside.

Next door is a huge WTC observatory- impressive and a Path station that looks like a dinosaur.

We drew the short straw in the Whitney museum and Guggenheim; both with areas being renovated and reduced space.
The high light of the Whitney for me was the Highline walk (old elevated railway line turned into a garden walkway).

Enjoyed more Edward Hopper on a rainy day.

The Frank Lloyd Wright designed Guggenheim was also closed in parts.

Strange sculpture by Brancusi and Simone Leigh.

Did not enjoy the Robert Mapplethorpe photographic exhibition but it did stimulate a debate about when art ends and porn begins.

Today we visited Governor Island in beautiful sunshine.

Opened on 1 May, this island was one home to the military and most tourists have not yet discovered it.

Great value for $3 ferry ride and stroll around the island to view the harbour.

We are seeing 2 plays, 1 musical and 6 operas in 9 nights

Hadestown was a revelation. Toe tapping, jazzy, excellent chorus, clear vocals, tuneful and fun. Expect it to receive several Tony awards later this year.

‘What the Constitution means to me’ written and performed by Heidi Schreck, explored the relationship between four generations of women in her own family and Constitution that dictated their rights and citizenship, exposing holes and grey areas in it. We spotted Meryl Streep and Emma Thomson in the audience.

We have also managed to squeeze in catch ups with good friends Patricia Sindel
and Kin Lam.

The Ring cycle has begun with Rheingold kicking off the marathon. Frocks and heels were in order despite the cold. I did change back into trainers to walk home at midnight after a drinks party with Kitty and friends.

More to follow…