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Published: February 1st 2007
Empire State
Not a gorilla in sight ...Today I'll keep it brief as I'm tired after walking miles and miles through Manhattan (sometimes in the wrong direction!) and I'm still coming to terms with jetlag. Needless to say, NYC carried on amazing me today. I made my way to Grand Central Station this morning - I feel that the camera is having a holiday right now and I'm just it's companion!! GCS is the most beautiful structure - the ceiling is covered with zodiac figures with tiny dazzling lit stars.
After I wound my way through the icy winter light towards Chelsea, meandering into vintage stores (some with Rockerfeller prices!), past the notorious Chelsea Hotel (which seemed surprisingly normal) towards the famous Empire Diner where I had lunch amgst the black and chrone decor.
My afternoon was spent in Chinatown - my favourite place in all places. From knock off bags and watches to beautiful tea tins, I managed to squirrel my way through the amazing department stalls. I did balance my materialism with a visit to the Mahayana Buddhist Temple. Just for a few moments I halted the pace of my frenetic day and sat with Buddha - it was like seeing a friend somehow
Empire Diner
Chelsea's famous art deco eaterie unexpectedly here. I donated some money and was told my chance for success was good (at what, I dunno). I certainly feel though as if I am being held and guided (my offering at the London Buddhist Centre - thank you, Geoff - obviously "worked"!) as I seem to find what I need just when i want it at the moment - although certain subway directions might be a good idea ... and a gift for map reading! Still, it's good for me to become self-reliant again and learn from mistakes - I think if you've been in a relationship for years, you lose your ability to think a little!
The last part of my tourism involved photographing GCS and the Chrysler Building - the best in the city - just as dusk fell and lights were starting to twinkle. I spent ages standing mid-tide of the rush hour, staring up at it's chrome gargoyles and unique summit. Wow, wow, wow.
It took a while to get home - those damn subways are like spaghetti and make about as much sense! - but I'm here now and ready for bed. I'm looking forward to seeing David Byrne at
WTC Sculpture
The Sphere sculpture - damaged by the destruction of the WTC - acts as a temporary memorial to those who lost their lives on 9/11 Carnegie Hall tomorrow night- and then it's my birthday on Friday.
I'm so glad I've done this. After a year of struggling with grief for my grandmother, Grace, and various levels of ill heallth, I am so delighted to be here, alive and happy after so much time spent feeling I had also died with Gran, that I couldn't be happy.
Thinking back over yesterday's visit to the WTC site, that was what impressed me the most - the way people have continued, the way NYC has continued. The rough edge has returned to the city.When I was here last people were so grafetul to have tourists, so aware of the link of kindness between human beings - now we're back to the mixture of brusque, busy and wisecracking warmth which summarises this place. At first I was disappointed to diagnose that shift - but now I think it's good. It's good when grief can subside enough for us to remember who we were and are.
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Sharona Shaz Doris
Dr Sharon Zink
This is Diana, tha little hostess with the mostess! Loving having Sharon here, such a bright, energetic young woman and ito use her word "WOW"she really is a great writer! Hope she continues to enjoy her dream.