Cambridge: New York
Cambridge: New York
Carol and I were last in New York eleven or twelve years ago, when we sailed there from Boston during a three week summer vacation, and stayed on a mooring in the Hudson River just above the 79th Street Marina. A very good and inexpensive way to see the city.
This time we rode the train, a civilized way to travel--no harassing security checks; the convenience of going city center to city center; room to stretch out and move around; even electrical power outlets at every seat, so you can use your computer--though I didn’t take one; and in first class, which we were in coming back, better than airline food and unlimited drinks. Sadly what the Acela isn’t is fast. In the scheduled 3 ½ trip, it reached 150 mph for about five minutes in eastern Connecticut. The conductor on the return ride announced this novelty. I’ve ridden France’s TGV which goes up to 200 mph and is marvelous. Too bad that the United States is too poor to have the same.
We stayed at a trendy hotel, the W, next to the Waldorf Astoria, mid-town east. Trendy apparently means that the lobby becomes a night club in the evening. Also modern decorations. Our room was mostly black and white. Being in the city for only twenty-eight hours, we didn’t spend much time there except to sleep.
After we checked in to the W, we rode the subway down to Ground Zero. Carol and I were in Vilamoura, Portugal, on September 11, 2001. Both of us had been to the top of the World Trade Center. Now there is the empty space shown behind the fences in the top photograph, and a complete disconnection from the towers that once stood there. Nothing can be related to them.
Construction is underway on the Freedom Tower, but it has not yet risen above ground level. Men were working, even on a Saturday.
The picture is taken from Saint Paul’s Chapel, built in 1766 and Manhattan’s oldest public building in continuous use. Now it is something of a 9/11 museum and memorial. Thousands of rescue workers sought respite and solace there in the days after the attacks.
I first read of Manhattan's newest attraction, the High Line, from an article in the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. An abandoned elevated railroad track that carried freight along the lower west side, has been converted into a public walkway. Eventually it will extend from just below 14th street a mile and a half to 34th Street. Only the first section to 20th is open now.
The conversion has been cleverly and charmingly done. Some of the rails are left, and there are benches, grasses, flowers, and unexpected views from about four stories above street level. New York City gets 10 our of 10 for this. You can read more at: http://www.thehighline.org
On Sunday we walked eleven blocks north to Central Park, then through the park to Columbus Circle, where there were new buildings Carol wanted to see, and then went by a pedicab pedaled by a Turkestani student through the park and over some surface streets to the Guggenheim. The student is about to return home after being here for a year to learn English, which he has done very well. He is also very personable. He said he never imagined he would ever be in New York, but was one of thirty chosen to come. I hope he has a good life in Turkestan.
As far as we can tell all of New York’s work is done from people born outside this country, which makes New York the least American city, or the most American.
Carol had never been inside the Guggenheim, which is presently holding an exhibition honoring Frank Lloyd Wright. The best way to view the Guggenheim is to take the elevator to the top and then walk the spiral down, which we did.
The photograph is shot at ground level looking up at the dome.
Monday, August 17, 2009