Yesterday we caught a train to Boston. After we checked in we went for a wander. Across the road from our hotel we saw some spectacular architecture poking out over the trees, so we headed in that direction. In front of the main building was a massive water feature/pool thingy... When we got to the building, we found it was some Christian science institute... Then we stumbled across one of the main strips and we went into a couple of pubs for a few drinks. There was a baseball game on at Fenway park and everyone was in their red sox gear.
This morning we got on a hop-on/off bus for a tour around Boston. It is a truly beautiful city, and I quickly started to regret not spending more time here, to get a real feel for the place. We stopped off at one of the many piers where there was a market underway, we also had lunch there. Then we stopped at Boston Common and briefly walked around the park, and went through a few of the suburban streets (so gorgeous), and then the Cheers pub (from the TV series). It would have been great to have had time to walk around the cemetery, and to go to City Hall, but time was precious and I wanted to get to Harvard.
Got to Harvard and the feel of the place changes again as soon as you enter Cambridge precinct. Harvard students undertake walking tours of Harvard, so we did one. Our guide was Adam, and whilst he was studying Economics at Harvard, he actually wanted to be an actor, and let me tell you he was thoroughly entertaining! And I expect to see him on the big screen one day. Again, if any of you are fortunate enough to get to Boston, this tour must be on your to do list. It was only a shame that we couldn't go into some of the buildings.
We missed our last bus back so we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then caught the subway back to town. The trains and stations are quite clean, new looking, and not so stuffy. And the whole city of Boston, but especially the Cambridge area seems very young. I suppose that's stating the obvious though.
When we got off the train, Ros went off to do some shopping and I headed back to the hotel, but then I remembered that I wanted to go to the observatory at the Sheraton. So I had a quick shower and headed out again. Unfortunately, as with most observatories, they are glass enclosed, and whilst I know why, it really annoys me as glass will ruin a good photo. On the way back to the hotel I stopped at the Christian Science place again for some more night photography and got a few decent shots there.
Tomorrow we only have a few hours in Boston before having to get on the train back to New York. Definitely not enough time in Boston.
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04 September 2011
03 September 2011
No entry
For avid followers, thank you for following and I apologise for the lack of a post yesterday, but last night we got back to the hotel at midnight, and I knew I would have time to blog on the train to Boston today.
Yesterday morning we both slept in after the night before's shenanigans. When I finally got my ass prepared, I went straight into midtown and left Ros behind to do my washing! I grabbed a breakfast of fruit salad and juice because I was still full from the previous evening.
My first destination was the photography institute, I figured that there would be an exhibition that I could see. Now if anyone knows about my trip to Japan last year, you would know that I had earmarked a couple of photography places to checkout, but everyone one I went to was closed on the day I was there. So I find the place in NY, only to see that they were installing a new exhibition so the place was shut except for the shop. Unbelievable! It reopens on the 9th, just after I leave.
My next port of call was the Morgan Pierpont library - the famous banker collected treasures, mostly books, and his residence is now a museum. I went straight to his library when I got there. If any of you ever have the opportunity to come to New York, you simply must have this on your list of things to do. But then I am a lover of books, and I place a lot of value on them. More than art. The library, besides being fabulously ornate was wall to wall books (lower half wall only), then there was a hidden room behind a secure door, something like a massive safe where the more valuable books had been stored. This room had a ladder in it as the book shelves went up to the ceiling.
On display behind glass, were books such as the Gutenberg bible (the man owned three of them); drafts of the constitution to end slavery; and the collection had also been updated to include letters to/from people like Matisse, Pollock, Voltaire and even a letter from JD Salinger to one of his children.
I checked the museum's store to see whether they had a book for sale that showcased the collection, but it is out of print as they are updating it. I will have to seek this out online in future.
From there I headed back to Times Square to meet up with Ros again. When I got there I had time for a quick lunch. I ventured into "chop't", a salad bar. One can either choose from the menu or make your own. You select the type of lettuce, other ingredients, dressing, and they chop it all up in front of you. It was a great salad!
I met Ros and told her she could not leave New York without seeing the Morgan library. Whilst she did that, I went and purchased tickets for the Jersey Boys. Then I headed towards another library I had read about back in Oz, apparently it is another must-see - The University Club Library. It is located on 5th ave so I trek all the way back there only to find that only members or guests can enter! However the building itself was certainly a fine piece of architecture.
Because I was on 5th I decided I may as well head further up and go to the famous toy store with the big piano. You can take one home yourself for a mere $200,000! The staff there have the best jobs as they just show kids the toys, there was one grown up kid just on a skateboard going up and down the aisles.
I was due to meet up with Ros again at 5.30pm but I literally couldn't take another step, so I rested on the seats in front of the gorgeous Plaza hotel and Pullitzer fountain and then caught the train back to Times Square on a line I hadn't used before.
We went back to the hotel and rested for a bit before heading out to see the Jersey Boys. Another amazing theatre production! When that finished we grabbed a quick slice of pizza and headed back to our hotel for a well earned rest!
Waiting for the train to come, there was a busker singing and playing guitar.
Anyone who has been in any subway at any day, time or season would know that it is the equivalent of stepping into a sauna. So I figured this guy had already earned a dollar just for being there. I watched a few people drop him some cash and then I did. He STOPPED playing, much to my embarrassment, and called Ros over and asked whether he could please keep me. Whilst I am a sucker for the odd musician, Ros thought it best that she keep me because I am her navigator and she would be lost without me..... Aaawwwww, it's nice to be wanted by many....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Yesterday morning we both slept in after the night before's shenanigans. When I finally got my ass prepared, I went straight into midtown and left Ros behind to do my washing! I grabbed a breakfast of fruit salad and juice because I was still full from the previous evening.
My first destination was the photography institute, I figured that there would be an exhibition that I could see. Now if anyone knows about my trip to Japan last year, you would know that I had earmarked a couple of photography places to checkout, but everyone one I went to was closed on the day I was there. So I find the place in NY, only to see that they were installing a new exhibition so the place was shut except for the shop. Unbelievable! It reopens on the 9th, just after I leave.
My next port of call was the Morgan Pierpont library - the famous banker collected treasures, mostly books, and his residence is now a museum. I went straight to his library when I got there. If any of you ever have the opportunity to come to New York, you simply must have this on your list of things to do. But then I am a lover of books, and I place a lot of value on them. More than art. The library, besides being fabulously ornate was wall to wall books (lower half wall only), then there was a hidden room behind a secure door, something like a massive safe where the more valuable books had been stored. This room had a ladder in it as the book shelves went up to the ceiling.
On display behind glass, were books such as the Gutenberg bible (the man owned three of them); drafts of the constitution to end slavery; and the collection had also been updated to include letters to/from people like Matisse, Pollock, Voltaire and even a letter from JD Salinger to one of his children.
I checked the museum's store to see whether they had a book for sale that showcased the collection, but it is out of print as they are updating it. I will have to seek this out online in future.
From there I headed back to Times Square to meet up with Ros again. When I got there I had time for a quick lunch. I ventured into "chop't", a salad bar. One can either choose from the menu or make your own. You select the type of lettuce, other ingredients, dressing, and they chop it all up in front of you. It was a great salad!
I met Ros and told her she could not leave New York without seeing the Morgan library. Whilst she did that, I went and purchased tickets for the Jersey Boys. Then I headed towards another library I had read about back in Oz, apparently it is another must-see - The University Club Library. It is located on 5th ave so I trek all the way back there only to find that only members or guests can enter! However the building itself was certainly a fine piece of architecture.
Because I was on 5th I decided I may as well head further up and go to the famous toy store with the big piano. You can take one home yourself for a mere $200,000! The staff there have the best jobs as they just show kids the toys, there was one grown up kid just on a skateboard going up and down the aisles.
I was due to meet up with Ros again at 5.30pm but I literally couldn't take another step, so I rested on the seats in front of the gorgeous Plaza hotel and Pullitzer fountain and then caught the train back to Times Square on a line I hadn't used before.
We went back to the hotel and rested for a bit before heading out to see the Jersey Boys. Another amazing theatre production! When that finished we grabbed a quick slice of pizza and headed back to our hotel for a well earned rest!
Waiting for the train to come, there was a busker singing and playing guitar.
Anyone who has been in any subway at any day, time or season would know that it is the equivalent of stepping into a sauna. So I figured this guy had already earned a dollar just for being there. I watched a few people drop him some cash and then I did. He STOPPED playing, much to my embarrassment, and called Ros over and asked whether he could please keep me. Whilst I am a sucker for the odd musician, Ros thought it best that she keep me because I am her navigator and she would be lost without me..... Aaawwwww, it's nice to be wanted by many....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Broadway,New York,United States
01 September 2011
Korean or some shit
This morning started off like any other. I got up before Ros, showered, dressed and went out for coffee/brekky and a walk. Got back and we headed downtown once again. This morning we were booked on a bus trip across to the Woodbury Common outlet stores in New Jersey.
We got there after 12.00pm and agreed to split up and meet again at 4.15pm for the 4.20 bus home.
One of the first shops I went into was Kenneth Cole where they just had a flat 50% off everything in the store, and whilst I need another watch like I need a hole in the head, I purchased another Kenneth Cole watch for something like $35. Then into Calvin Klein and $340 later.... I pretty much decided at that point that enough was enough, and time to focus on the nieces and nephews. Found Adidas and got Sabrina her tennis shoes, but am completely panicked about whether they will fit her or not. Got Nikolas as AWESOME pair of sandshoes from Nike, but am completely panicked about whether he will like them or not. Then to Osh Kosh B'gosh and found some clothes for the other three.
I had so many bags, my arms were sore from carrying them.
I was proud of myself for not going into more shops, and the amount of money I didn't spend!
Met up with Ros and waiting for the bus we started chatting to two young guys from Melbourne. One of them worked for Estee Lauder and had a work trip to the US, so his partner came along for the ride. We sat adjacent to them on the bus and chatted about things we had or hadn't done in NYC, and joked about things like getting fries with your breakfast.
The bus trip home took 45mins more than the trip over, and so by the time we got back to the hotel we were already running late for a dinner booking at the Riverpark restaurant. I rang them and they happily changed the booking to 8.45pm.
After showering and getting ready, we decided to cab it to the restaurant, (first cab since we've been here). We flagged a cab and I gave the cabbie the address, but as we got closer, we could tell he was struggling. Next thing we know the cabbie is trying to reverse down a one way street. He was trying to tell us that we were at the end of 29th St...anyway we convinced him to go further East and I instantly knew we were in the right place because I saw Tom Collicchio's rooftop garden. We paid the cabbie, and tipped him FFS!
The meal was amazing, for entree I had Marscapone Ravioli and for main I had prosciutto wrapped trout. For dessert we shared some chocolate pot thingy which was just amazing. It was all amazing. Ros fell in love with our waiter Nathaniel, and he served us a complimentary glass of moscato. Yum!
As Ros and I were chatting about how amazing the meal was, and the incredible view, the lady sitting next to us interrupted and said that she couldn't help over-hearing and that obviously we were visitors and she wanted to know how we had heard of the restaurant. She said that Riverpark was still an unknown "hidden gem" in New York City, and she was so impressed that we had found it!
This woman 'Lisa' even complimented me on my haircut. Erm HELLO, I come from little ol' Adelaide!
We ended up chatting with Lisa and her friend Rich for some time, as well as the waiter Nathaniel. The waiter had given us some other restaurant suggestions, and then Lisa attacked the list and said "no, we need to give them a much broader view of New York, like, Korean and shit".
She was clearly a smart woman, because then she realised that in Adelaide we would have ample access to Asian flavours, so she wanted to recommend something completely different.
We had a wonderful meal, wonderful conversation, and walked away with a swag of foodie recommendations. Ros insisted we all have a photo together. It was an awesome evening. (I had even spotted fireworks across the Hudson during the evening).
I can't believe how many wonderful people we have met along this trip. It has been a learning curve and a pleasant surprise.
In my head, I am already planning my next visit....
Oh, forgot to mention, on the subway after our shopping trip, three guys asked me whether they were on the right train for China town. With some confidence I was able to reply, that they had the right train, but were going in the wrong direction. I do believe I have mastered the subway thank you very much.
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We got there after 12.00pm and agreed to split up and meet again at 4.15pm for the 4.20 bus home.
One of the first shops I went into was Kenneth Cole where they just had a flat 50% off everything in the store, and whilst I need another watch like I need a hole in the head, I purchased another Kenneth Cole watch for something like $35. Then into Calvin Klein and $340 later.... I pretty much decided at that point that enough was enough, and time to focus on the nieces and nephews. Found Adidas and got Sabrina her tennis shoes, but am completely panicked about whether they will fit her or not. Got Nikolas as AWESOME pair of sandshoes from Nike, but am completely panicked about whether he will like them or not. Then to Osh Kosh B'gosh and found some clothes for the other three.
I had so many bags, my arms were sore from carrying them.
I was proud of myself for not going into more shops, and the amount of money I didn't spend!
Met up with Ros and waiting for the bus we started chatting to two young guys from Melbourne. One of them worked for Estee Lauder and had a work trip to the US, so his partner came along for the ride. We sat adjacent to them on the bus and chatted about things we had or hadn't done in NYC, and joked about things like getting fries with your breakfast.
The bus trip home took 45mins more than the trip over, and so by the time we got back to the hotel we were already running late for a dinner booking at the Riverpark restaurant. I rang them and they happily changed the booking to 8.45pm.
After showering and getting ready, we decided to cab it to the restaurant, (first cab since we've been here). We flagged a cab and I gave the cabbie the address, but as we got closer, we could tell he was struggling. Next thing we know the cabbie is trying to reverse down a one way street. He was trying to tell us that we were at the end of 29th St...anyway we convinced him to go further East and I instantly knew we were in the right place because I saw Tom Collicchio's rooftop garden. We paid the cabbie, and tipped him FFS!
The meal was amazing, for entree I had Marscapone Ravioli and for main I had prosciutto wrapped trout. For dessert we shared some chocolate pot thingy which was just amazing. It was all amazing. Ros fell in love with our waiter Nathaniel, and he served us a complimentary glass of moscato. Yum!
As Ros and I were chatting about how amazing the meal was, and the incredible view, the lady sitting next to us interrupted and said that she couldn't help over-hearing and that obviously we were visitors and she wanted to know how we had heard of the restaurant. She said that Riverpark was still an unknown "hidden gem" in New York City, and she was so impressed that we had found it!
This woman 'Lisa' even complimented me on my haircut. Erm HELLO, I come from little ol' Adelaide!
We ended up chatting with Lisa and her friend Rich for some time, as well as the waiter Nathaniel. The waiter had given us some other restaurant suggestions, and then Lisa attacked the list and said "no, we need to give them a much broader view of New York, like, Korean and shit".
She was clearly a smart woman, because then she realised that in Adelaide we would have ample access to Asian flavours, so she wanted to recommend something completely different.
We had a wonderful meal, wonderful conversation, and walked away with a swag of foodie recommendations. Ros insisted we all have a photo together. It was an awesome evening. (I had even spotted fireworks across the Hudson during the evening).
I can't believe how many wonderful people we have met along this trip. It has been a learning curve and a pleasant surprise.
In my head, I am already planning my next visit....
Oh, forgot to mention, on the subway after our shopping trip, three guys asked me whether they were on the right train for China town. With some confidence I was able to reply, that they had the right train, but were going in the wrong direction. I do believe I have mastered the subway thank you very much.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
31 August 2011
From ladette to lady
This morning I got up and went for what is becoming a regular morning coffee and walk, exploring the few kilometers in the radius of the hotel. When I got back we got ready to go out for the day as we had the 'Sex and the City tour booked for 11.00am. We got the subway to dowtown and got off at 50th, which also brings you out to Columbus circle and the south west corner of Central Park.
Because we had a bit of time to spare, we wandered through the south end of Central Park. We saw the duck pond, which I assume is the one mentioned in JD Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye". Stunning, 'but where do the ducks go when the pond freezes over in winter?'
We ventured out of the park at the south east corner, which also happened to be the meeting spot for the tour, in front of the Pulitzer monument (and the Plaza hotel).
The tour was good, but not great, although the tour guide earns a mention, she really knew her stuff and was quite impressive.
We then wandered down to Bryant Park where apparently fashion week is no longer held. (It's now held at the Lincoln Centre.). And I had a salad of grilled asparagus, beetroot, goat's cheese and greens, and it was absolutely delicious! The park was full of people, and it was just beautiful sitting there in the sun, in a lovely park, in a metropolis. This life is for me. And besides the small hurricane that passed through here on the weekend, the weather has been perfect.
After that we went back to the hotel for a bit, then went out to a local Thai restaurant called 'Charm' that had been recommended to Ros by a local Aussie expat. It was also a delicious meal.
Got back to the hotel to get ready to go see "Mary Poppins". We even used an iron on our clothes! The show was playing at a theatre on 42nd St, and our seats were in the second row, which I was very impressed with, but apparently the front row seats in a theatre are not the best seats. We started chatting to the Mother and daughter sitting next to me. They were from South Carolina, and the daughter was going to live in Spain for 6 months on a University exchange program. They were so, so lovely, I'm sorry that we didn't have more time to talk.
Mary Poppins was amazing (actually I've never seen a production that wasn't). And whilst the actress who played Mary Poppins was by far the star of the show, the little boy 'Michael' stole my heart. You should've seen him move in the 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' song! At the end of the show Mary flies away, much to the delight of the audience on the third tier, right up to them.
The ladies to my left wished us well and us them, probably never to see each other again. Sadly.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Because we had a bit of time to spare, we wandered through the south end of Central Park. We saw the duck pond, which I assume is the one mentioned in JD Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye". Stunning, 'but where do the ducks go when the pond freezes over in winter?'
We ventured out of the park at the south east corner, which also happened to be the meeting spot for the tour, in front of the Pulitzer monument (and the Plaza hotel).
The tour was good, but not great, although the tour guide earns a mention, she really knew her stuff and was quite impressive.
We then wandered down to Bryant Park where apparently fashion week is no longer held. (It's now held at the Lincoln Centre.). And I had a salad of grilled asparagus, beetroot, goat's cheese and greens, and it was absolutely delicious! The park was full of people, and it was just beautiful sitting there in the sun, in a lovely park, in a metropolis. This life is for me. And besides the small hurricane that passed through here on the weekend, the weather has been perfect.
After that we went back to the hotel for a bit, then went out to a local Thai restaurant called 'Charm' that had been recommended to Ros by a local Aussie expat. It was also a delicious meal.
Got back to the hotel to get ready to go see "Mary Poppins". We even used an iron on our clothes! The show was playing at a theatre on 42nd St, and our seats were in the second row, which I was very impressed with, but apparently the front row seats in a theatre are not the best seats. We started chatting to the Mother and daughter sitting next to me. They were from South Carolina, and the daughter was going to live in Spain for 6 months on a University exchange program. They were so, so lovely, I'm sorry that we didn't have more time to talk.
Mary Poppins was amazing (actually I've never seen a production that wasn't). And whilst the actress who played Mary Poppins was by far the star of the show, the little boy 'Michael' stole my heart. You should've seen him move in the 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' song! At the end of the show Mary flies away, much to the delight of the audience on the third tier, right up to them.
The ladies to my left wished us well and us them, probably never to see each other again. Sadly.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
30 August 2011
MoMA
Today we headed out to organise tickets for the Sex in the City tour and Woodbury Common shopping outlet. With that organised, Ros headed to Madame Tussaud's whilst I made my way to B&H, a well know camera superstore. How I walked out without purchasing anything is quite beyond me.
We met up again and made our way to the Museum of Modern Art. Most museums you go to are relatively quiet, but this one was a hive of activity.
I suggested we start at the top and make our way down, and I'm glad we did, because all the paintings were on the 4th floor. There were works there by Cezanne, Monet, Van Gough, Matisse, Picasso, and a swag of others.
The third floor was contemporary art and I saw a piece by Jackson Pollock. I have to say, not as fantastic as "Blue Poles" in Canberra!
The second floor was architecture, design and photography, and that's where I saw my first real life look at an Ansel Adams photo! Awesome!
On the way back to the hotel, some cute guy starting talking to us, and gave us a couple of tips for places to go. And now we're going to head to "Top of the Rocks" (Rockefeller Centre), to see if I can't challenge some of those photographers in MoMA with a work of art myself. Highly doubtful.
10.50pm Update:
I'm no Ansel Adams. That is all.
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We met up again and made our way to the Museum of Modern Art. Most museums you go to are relatively quiet, but this one was a hive of activity.
I suggested we start at the top and make our way down, and I'm glad we did, because all the paintings were on the 4th floor. There were works there by Cezanne, Monet, Van Gough, Matisse, Picasso, and a swag of others.
The third floor was contemporary art and I saw a piece by Jackson Pollock. I have to say, not as fantastic as "Blue Poles" in Canberra!
The second floor was architecture, design and photography, and that's where I saw my first real life look at an Ansel Adams photo! Awesome!
On the way back to the hotel, some cute guy starting talking to us, and gave us a couple of tips for places to go. And now we're going to head to "Top of the Rocks" (Rockefeller Centre), to see if I can't challenge some of those photographers in MoMA with a work of art myself. Highly doubtful.
10.50pm Update:
I'm no Ansel Adams. That is all.
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29 August 2011
Nothingness in New York
Overnight hurricane Irene hit New York. It was fierce but down graded once it hit landfall to a category 1. We are staying in midtown Manhattan, and are up on higher ground, so I was only really afraid of winds breaking our hotel window.
Anyway, last night my lower back had been causing me grief so I took two painkillers that Ros had, before going to bed. That, coupled with no real decent sleep since I had gotten to the US, I pretty much zonked it. Despite the fact that wind and rain was rapidly increasing and pounding the window. I was genuinely scared for, oh, about 10 seconds before I fell asleep!
I got up really late this morning and eventually wanted to go out and get some fresh air. For some reason I thought I would do my hair properly today, that is until I burnt my hand on the hair straightener. F&@k me, the pain! I sent Ros out to find some ointment, then ice when she came back saying the pharmacies were shut.
So we've been pretty much in the hotel all day. All trains aren't running, shops are shut and so are all the museums. The weather was foul so it would have been good to at least spend the day in a museum, but alas it was not to be.
We will get back to the sightseeing tomorrow, although it is questionable whether we'll be travelling by metro, or some other means.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Anyway, last night my lower back had been causing me grief so I took two painkillers that Ros had, before going to bed. That, coupled with no real decent sleep since I had gotten to the US, I pretty much zonked it. Despite the fact that wind and rain was rapidly increasing and pounding the window. I was genuinely scared for, oh, about 10 seconds before I fell asleep!
I got up really late this morning and eventually wanted to go out and get some fresh air. For some reason I thought I would do my hair properly today, that is until I burnt my hand on the hair straightener. F&@k me, the pain! I sent Ros out to find some ointment, then ice when she came back saying the pharmacies were shut.
So we've been pretty much in the hotel all day. All trains aren't running, shops are shut and so are all the museums. The weather was foul so it would have been good to at least spend the day in a museum, but alas it was not to be.
We will get back to the sightseeing tomorrow, although it is questionable whether we'll be travelling by metro, or some other means.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
28 August 2011
C'mon Irene
This trip will be talked about for years to come I think.... Hurricane Irene is making its way towards us, and it has already caused deaths and damage in North Carolina.
This morning I was conscious of needing to go out and get some supplies before the rains came in. It seems that even if it's not such a severe hurricane, that it could cause storm water flooding and power outages. (Our hotel is on high ground though.) So we needed to prepare for two days of no power or being able to go out. I showered and got dressed and went out for brekky, Ros was still asleep.
Back at the hotel, all the lifts in the hotel were not working (or so we thought) and up seven flights I went. After Ros got up we went out before it started to rain hard for supplies. The one dollar plastic raincoat I had brought with me from Oz turned out to be useful, but the rain was gentle then stopped. With our supplies we marched up the stairs. Most standard hotels in NYC don't have fridges so we couldn't buy perishables. It's peanut butter sandwiches and fruit for the next two days.
After a while in the hotel, and a nanna nap (bad nights sleep again), I needed to go out and get some exercise (14 flights of stairs is not enough). I grabbed my iPod, one dollar raincoat, shoot-and-point, and made my way to Central Park. The subway had been shut down from midday so we couldn't get around and most shops were either shut or shutting. Perfect opportunity to explore Central Park.
I wandered across 94th, taking a few shots of the lovely apartment housing, then to the park. The size of it is just mind-blowing. And it is just so pretty. I found the reservoir and walked along that for a while. There were plenty of other walkers and joggers (and dogs).
When I got close to 84th I saw a police car. I took my earphones out, and sure enough, the people were being told to evacuate the park. I had been enjoying it so much that I was walking around like an idiot with a big smile on my face because I couldn't believe I was THERE, in Central Park FFS, and now I was being told to leave! Three hours later and it is still relatively calm outside. I could have still been there.
On my return back to the hotel, I saw a swag of Japanese firemen and one Swedish one from memory. They are reassuring for some reason. Then I noticed the other set of lifts! Hah!
We were supposed to go out to dinner at the Riverpark (Tom Collicchio) tonight, but I just checked the website, and it is located in Zone A so is shut. I quickly booked us in for Wednesday night instead. I don't want to leave New York and not eat there. It's peanut butter sandwiches for dinner tonight though.
I am not so worried yet about the hurricane but I suspect, in the middle of the night, when it's due to hit us, it will be a different story. I don't expect anything too scary to happen, but I know the noise alone will be unbearable, and I don't suspect we will get any sleep once it starts. I also worry that my mum will be worried, so I hope my family lie to her about my exact location.
I will report back later, and fingers crossed that that bitch Irene turns east.
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This morning I was conscious of needing to go out and get some supplies before the rains came in. It seems that even if it's not such a severe hurricane, that it could cause storm water flooding and power outages. (Our hotel is on high ground though.) So we needed to prepare for two days of no power or being able to go out. I showered and got dressed and went out for brekky, Ros was still asleep.
Back at the hotel, all the lifts in the hotel were not working (or so we thought) and up seven flights I went. After Ros got up we went out before it started to rain hard for supplies. The one dollar plastic raincoat I had brought with me from Oz turned out to be useful, but the rain was gentle then stopped. With our supplies we marched up the stairs. Most standard hotels in NYC don't have fridges so we couldn't buy perishables. It's peanut butter sandwiches and fruit for the next two days.
After a while in the hotel, and a nanna nap (bad nights sleep again), I needed to go out and get some exercise (14 flights of stairs is not enough). I grabbed my iPod, one dollar raincoat, shoot-and-point, and made my way to Central Park. The subway had been shut down from midday so we couldn't get around and most shops were either shut or shutting. Perfect opportunity to explore Central Park.
I wandered across 94th, taking a few shots of the lovely apartment housing, then to the park. The size of it is just mind-blowing. And it is just so pretty. I found the reservoir and walked along that for a while. There were plenty of other walkers and joggers (and dogs).
When I got close to 84th I saw a police car. I took my earphones out, and sure enough, the people were being told to evacuate the park. I had been enjoying it so much that I was walking around like an idiot with a big smile on my face because I couldn't believe I was THERE, in Central Park FFS, and now I was being told to leave! Three hours later and it is still relatively calm outside. I could have still been there.
On my return back to the hotel, I saw a swag of Japanese firemen and one Swedish one from memory. They are reassuring for some reason. Then I noticed the other set of lifts! Hah!
We were supposed to go out to dinner at the Riverpark (Tom Collicchio) tonight, but I just checked the website, and it is located in Zone A so is shut. I quickly booked us in for Wednesday night instead. I don't want to leave New York and not eat there. It's peanut butter sandwiches for dinner tonight though.
I am not so worried yet about the hurricane but I suspect, in the middle of the night, when it's due to hit us, it will be a different story. I don't expect anything too scary to happen, but I know the noise alone will be unbearable, and I don't suspect we will get any sleep once it starts. I also worry that my mum will be worried, so I hope my family lie to her about my exact location.
I will report back later, and fingers crossed that that bitch Irene turns east.
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