Friday, September 25

Our first adventure was driving to the Ronkonkoma Long Island Railroad to catch a train to New York. Quite simple, clean, and efficient. It was an interesting ride. We started out where the homes were on huge lots. In Corum where our host lives, his home is on a huge lot of about a half acre with a pool. As we progress toward the city, the lots get smaller, houses are closer together. Soon the pools are small and above ground, and then before you know it, they are nonexistent. As we leave the suburban areas of Deer Park and move toward Brooklyn, there are fewer fields, steeples. Less green space. The paint on the homes becomes haphazard, and as we approach East New York the tenement house becomes taller and very brick.

Beside the 18 stops of the LIRR, are huge park and ride lots. Waiting in them are hundreds of cars for the many passengers of the commuter trains. A good portion of the passengers have a little privacy bubble around them---an attitude communicating a “don't bother me.”

Penn Station is huge. We departed from track # 20 and made our way above ground. One of the most remarkable things about New York is the noise. It is definitely a city for people who desire stimulation and excitement. I will do well to make it through three days. For some reason, I didn't sense the craziness in London, Barcelona, or Madrid that I feel in NYC. Perhaps when I get in the museums or Central Park it will calm down.

One of the interesting aspects about this week is the United Nations session. President Obama is here to address topics like terrorism and Iran's underground nuclear facility. This means that every time these heads of state moved from place to place, a convoy of black SUV's and police protection blazed down the street. It was also impossible to get anywhere close to the 3 United Nations buildings, particularly the General Assembly building. Police were everywhere in the city, particularly at heavy traffic intersections where they needed them.

There has been a sad consequence of the No Smoking bans in stores and restaurants. They have to smoke in the streets. That means that walking in the city or enjoying places like Times Square is difficult because every breath one takes is a smokey one.

Signage is fascinating. The huge LED screens—particularly present around Times Square, 42^nd street, etc. overshadow architecture and all else in the landscape. By Penn Station is a huge football player in his tight pants landmark. After awhile I found all of screens—especially Macy's malfunctioning one—visual overload.

The highlight of the day was a guilded cruise of the Hudson harbor. We had very good views of ellis Island, the train depot many immigrants took across America, the Statue of Liberty, Governor's Island, and the Financial District. This and the other tours we took put everything I have watched on television from business news to Law and Order in perspective. Like looking at society from a new view.

The Coast Guard has a number of small boats that look like smart rafts. They have machine guns mounted on the bow. We watched one pull over a small motor boat and give them a little chat.

Another fascinating thing about New York is the way certain industries have clustered. The garment industry is no longer there because of outsourcing that began with China's production of cheap clothing, but there are many other areas like the music instrument section, ASCAP section, the Theatre District, the area where there are hospitals and research facilities. In general, however, the trend is to tear down and build new glass or glitzy structures. Yes, there are a few of the historic buildings built in the early 1900's like the Art Decco Empire State building with its 104 floors, the Flatiron building, and the Chrysler building, but the push is to rebuild newer and “better.” Actually the Empire State building was more interesting in its architecture.

We took the express train back to Long Island with hundreds of commuters who raced to their waiting cars snoozing in cement fields by the tracks.

Saturday, September 26

This was our big touring day of New York. We covered almost all of the Island and particularly enjoyed the ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy. Here is a partial list—just to help me remember the details:

I loved the trees and swankie apartments in Chelsea. Somehow I expected more unusual buildings or businesses in the Village. Saw the first pizzaria—John's. One bit of folklore about the bull on Wall Street is that if you kiss its ass, your portfolio will earn lots of money. And there was a huge line of tourists doing just that. Made me wonder what else they would kiss. The lower East side—melting pot of NY—did not have any flamboyant sights, however, there was the sense that the whole area had been the labor and the stability of the island for a long time. Of course all of the area bordering Central Park was beautiful and fascinating from the lavish 5^th avenue digs like the former home of Andrew Carnegie to the museums. Would I had a day to spend in each of them: the Whitney, the white curving Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (I would love 2 days for that one), the Museum of new York City, and the Museum of Natural History where the “Night in” movie was shot.

Harlem was also more of a polished city atmosphere than I expected. There were more blacks in the neighborhood, but other than that, it looked like much of the rest of the island.

Times Square was full of people by 5pm. We also had another insight into Carnegie hall, the Lincoln Center, the Apollo, and other similar venues. To attend a concert one needs to taxi, use public transportation, or pay $35 to $50 at a parking facility. I am so glad we can attend great concerts and plays without that hassle.

Biggest regret of the day? Not having time to have tea in the Plaza hotel.