New York

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New York! New York!


I survived an overnight 10 hour bus ride from Toronto plus got through customs in NY to arrive dazed and confused at 7am in a subway system I knew nothing about. But a few wrong turns and many questions later I got off the subway emerged into daylight and discovered my lovely new home - Harlem! Just down from the Apollo theare and with streets named Malcom X and Luther King I have to admit some early apprehension.

I stood out a little walking around but no-one really hassled me. All the likely suspects were too busy hollering at the local girls so I got by with no problems. The hostel seemed to be surrounded by gospel churches so I gave most people the benefit of the doubt.
It was great this morning while I waited to check in to the hostel - I walked around to get accustomed to my new hood, ate some jerk chicken and decided I might as well go to The Harlem Church of Christ service. Sorry to reinforce stereotypes but it was just like in the movies with people walking in off the street dressed in their best sunday clothes, hats and bibles in hand. I will admit I was one of only 3 'white' people in the church but everyone was very friendly and although there wasnt a huge choir like i was hoping it was a fun experience. No musical instruments at all - just voices! So that was my first few hours of experience in harlem - can I get an amen brother??

It was a packed 5 days of sightseeing and I still didnt get to do it all.

It was the 5 year anniversary of September 11 while I was there and it was strange to think that President Bush was downtown giving a speech to the people while I was walking around enjoying Central Park. I didnt make it down to ground zero on the day itself, it seemed more appropriate for it to be a day for New Yorkers rather than tourists. I went the next day and it really is strange to see the actual site after all the media images and footage Ive seen. When I did the harbour cruise I suddenly got a sense of the scale and impact the missing buildings make on the NY cityscape. They are beginning the massive task of rebuilding and developing the site and the exhibition of entries for the architecture competition were really impressive.

Speaking of architecture, here's where I get nerdy! I guess the personal highlight for me was the Guggenheim Museum which has been number 1 on my list for so long. In typical Jo style, the exterior of the building was being renovated but everything else was fine. The best thing was that there was a Zaha Hadid (London based female architect) exhibition on so I was more than chuffed to be able in NYC, in Frank Gehry's Guggenheim to see an exhibition on Hadid - it was fantastic! To top it off Gehry had a range of jewellery designed for Tiffany's so you can guess what happened.
Yes, I went to Tiffany's NY and bought a pendant! At $150 US + tax I have to admit it wasnt easy but it was more than worth it to have something that meant so much to me.

As for the rest of the sights - there was so much to do and see I didnt stop the whole time. I think the only thing I didnt get to do was a Broadway Show but I dont think that will be my last trip to NY. I will be back another time with more money for shopping.

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Photos

The Guggenheim
Ahh, Zaha!

Comments

[sonia]

new york - new york
well done - every girl should own a piece of Tiffany from her travels - mines from Bond St, London! ..and i can believe your luck - when i went to the Guggenheim it was painted completely black inside for a religious exhibition! enjoy.