Ground Zero

One of the most emotional places I visited in New York City was Ground Zero - where New York City's twin towers stood before 9/11. Now a massive construction site, it is best seen in this aerial photograph posted nearby...














I had visited the twin towers - New York's tallest buildings at the time - when I was in my 20s. I remember looking up - and noticing they seemed to be moving slightly... (Or was that because someone had told me they needed to be a little flexible to endure strong winds?!) I also remember how dark it was on the sidewalk beside the buildings - the massive structures blocking the sun's rays.














In the days following 9/11, I had heard stories of how the neighborhood pulled together, helping each other.

I remember hearing how a little church across the street became a hub for volunteers, a place where residents and volunteers could drop in for solace.














There it was! St. Paul's Chapel - an old church that became a makeshift center for volunteers who came to help with cleanup operations.














The chapel is full of pictures, letters and banners sent by well-wishers from around the world.














I didn't know that the church was the oldest in continuous use in the USA - or that George Washington, in fact, had worshiped there.














It is still a vibrant faith community.














Near the church, another museum has video tapes and photographs that tell the 9/11 story and its impact on the community...

For me, it was hard to listen to the stories of survivors and family members of those who died. After nearly a decade, it is still too fresh and real in my mind - too emotional - to take in.

A NYC Gathering Place: Bryant Park

One of the my favorite spots in New York City is Bryant Park, a surprisingly quiet green space next to the Public Library in downtown Manhattan.

An outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, as well as benches, it is an inviting milieu where people can sit and rest - or read. The library provides a rack of newspapers in one part of the park. Seeing several older gentlemen reading the papers there reminded me that Manhattan is home to many.














Another part of the park has a book rack - and play area - for children.














There are areas for games, like ping pong ... and this form of outdoor bowling. (I'm not sure what it's called or what the rules are, but I've seen it played in parks in Munich and Stuttgart, Germany as well.)

Food is available at a restaurant or from several kiosks. But even those who bring bag lunches are allowed to use the tables.....

My favorite area was the South West porch which had dozens of rocking chairs!

If I go back again - and it isn't raining - I plan to spend time relaxing here - in the heart of the BIG APPLE!

New York's Gentler Side: Central Park

After spending several days pounding the pavement in New York City, we needed a more relaxing kind of day.

Central Park, my son suggested.

I was apprehensive: Was it safe?

He gave me the look...that says, Mother, what are you thinking?!!

Of course it's safe!














At the park entrance we found horse-drawn carriages for hire, offering 30- or 60-minute rides on park roads.














We opted to stroll on a foot path.














Gardeners were busily trimming back plants...














Flowers were blooming...














The place had a peaceful air of country...














Only at clearings did I remember that the park was the middle of a bustling city!














This view overlooks a clearing that becomes a skating rink in winter. The ice gone, Zambonis were still parked, waiting for next winter .














I was surprised by the abundance of flowers and well-kept lawns. (Based on what I had seen on the Seinfeld show, I expected the park to have nothing but trees...)














There were even a few baseball diamonds, with recreational games in progress.

Terry paused to watch several innings of a lunch-hour game between employees of two newspapers... While I wandered over to an ice-cream stand - and watched parents and children pass by.

It was amazing to realize that there was still so much green space in the middle of this enormous city.

Broadway

Last week's trip to NYC wasn't my first - but it was the first time I ever took in a Broadway show.

Mid-afternoon, on the day of a performance, it is possible to buy discounted tickets (40% or 50% off the regular price) at Times Square.














There was a long line-up but it moved along quickly.

And it was worth the wait - as we got excellent seats at discounted prices.

One night we saw the musical La Cage aux Folles. It was interesting to see Kelsey Grammar in person - and in a different kind of role... (Now this musical has been nominated - again - for a Tony award.)

Another evening we saw the play, God of Carnage, the story of two couples discussing how to handle the misbehavior of their 11-year-old sons...

The shows were interesting... and fun! But after getting FREE tickets to see Dave Letterman, I decided that - if I spend a few days in The Big Apple again - I'll try to get audience tickets for other TV shows as well... Rachel Ray? Martha Stewart? The Daily Show?!!


















(It was such a great visit, I'm already making plans for NEXT TIME!)

Visiting Rupert Jee

I don't stay up late enough to watch The Late Show with David Letterman, but Terry does. Sometimes, if he misses the program, he hunts for Dave's Top 10 List in the newspaper the following day...














So one of the places Terry wanted to visit in NYC was Hello Deli, a tiny deli around the corner from the Ed Sullivan Theater, where Dave Letterman's show is taped. (Dave regularly mentions the deli and its owner, Rupert Jee, on his program - so Dave's fans know the place well.)














It was almost lunchtime as we wandered by, so we decided to stop and order a few sandwiches... (which were delicious!)














Rupert even allowed us to take his picture with Terry - who at this point was absolutely beaming! Could the day be more perfect?!...














Well, actually, it could!














We next wandered over to the Ed Sullivan Theater to take a few pictures, when suddenly someone emerged from the door shouting: "Free Tickets to Dave Letterman's Late Night Show!"

Free tickets?!!

We stopped to inquire and discovered that they had room for a few more audience guests that day... So we signed up (wondering if we'd actually be called... it seemed so improbable)...


















But we were!














We got our tickets...














Were coached on how to behave... (Clapping only - no loud whistles or cat calls...)

And a few hours later, while it was still afternoon (not late at night) we found ourselves sitting in the balcony watching that night's program being taped!

A quick, excited call home to tell our other son to record the program!

It was interesting to watch how the taping unfolds. (Dave takes off his jacket whenever he isn't on camera.)














Our souvenir from that exciting day... a quick glimpse of ourselves as the camera panned the audience!

New York! New York!

I haven't been to New York City since before our kids were born - so when one of our sons invited us to spend a few days there with him - and meet a close friend - we decided to JUST DO IT!

I'm glad we did!

New York has a mystique that is larger-than-life.. A publishing and media center for so long, the names of its landmarks ring with familiarity...

We wandered around Manhattan, pausing to rest at Central Park...














We walked past Madison Square Gardens...














Times Square...


















(...a few days before the bomb scare.)

The NBC Building...














And stopped briefly in Greenwich Village...


















(Here is a close-up of George Washington on the monument at Washington Square.)














Had we come on a sunny day, Terry and our son might have paused near Washington Square to play chess...














As is, we just browsed in stores that sell chess sets (but didn't buy any)...














I didn't expect to see cobblestone streets in New York, but found some in Greenwich Village!

Then we walked past Christie's Auction...














Chinatown...














Ground Zero - where construction is underway...














In spite of the clouds and potential showers, we had a wonderful time!














We walked and walked...for six hours or more... occasionally seeing other tourists pass by...by bus!














But we used our legs!

Out in the elements, we didn't merely see New York - we felt it!