New York day 3 October 3

New York day 3 Wednesday October 3

 The metropolitan.

A rainy day was predicted today and Monica had already gone for a run up 5th avenue and into Central Park so she was keen to go back uptown again. Seemed like a great opportunity to visit the Met.

So a walk to grand central and a bus up Madison Avenue for eye candy. Past so many designer boutiques I lost count. And off at 82nd street for the met. Quite a few other people had the same idea so the grand entrance was quite crowded but I have experienced worse in Paris and once we got in there was no crowd problem.

On our way to the Met

An interesting phenomenon in New York was these street food stalls run by disabled veterans from the Middle East. They had  the name of the veteran on the cart and were all over the city.

 Now the Met can't be done in one day so we decided to concentrate on European masters and the Impressionists. The collections is vast. Whole rooms devoted to one artist. Rembrandts, degas, Manet and Monet.

Rembrandt self portrait

Love the movement in Degas' work

one of many waterlillies in New York

Van Gogh Irises

Rooms and rooms of the Flemish school. After walking for hours I was getting quite jaded. There were some exquisite pieces and some not so exciting and I had the feeling I had seen much of it before last year. So despite trying not to be so arrogant, I was tired.

Little known but my favourite Van Gogh in the collection. Call me strange

Lunch in the very well organized cafeteria was a pick me up. Unfortunately the roof terrace was closed because of weather. 

Later we had afternoon tea in a cafe overlooking the sculpture hall and Central Park. So full of light. It was lovely.

afternoon tea

Got chatting to some locals who rarely visit the met of course. They recommended a few restaurants . I like interacting with the locals.

That afternoon we needed a change of pace so visited the American collection. Now that collection is amazing. I enjoyed it so much. So many beautiful pieces of furniture, tapestries, samplers. A whole room of frank Lloyd wrights design. And two whole rooms of Tiffany design including some stunning stained glass. This was magic.

close up of an heirloom tapestry

some of the magnificent furniture

 This was a room with a panorama painting of the palace of versailles. It was strange standing there and recognising the place I visited last year.

Frank Lloyd Wright

 Before we knew it closing time had come and we had to leave. But we will be back. At least once. So much more to see.

We walked a bit down fifth avenue by the park but my blisters gave me trouble and I decided to bus it back home. Monica continued her walk and happened upon a choir practice in  St Patrick's cathedral. Palestrina was the order of the day. She was in heaven.

Monica on 5th Avenue outside the Met

A little taste of home in NYC

I was in a different kind of heaven. Back down to Times Square for me. I just had to see those lights one more time and it wasn't too busy tonight. 

On the way in, on the bus I got chatting to a woman taking photos through the bus window. turns out she is an actress. mostly theatre but tv as well. Didnt recognise her. she was interested in chatting about the two different scenes in LA and new york. And how short a performers life is if they just sing and dance. Lucky Emily is acting as well.

 I popped into the sephora store in Times Square. They have 19 stores in manhattan!  Anyway the lovely ladies there helped me with some makeup questions and I came out with my credit card much lighter. But it was so much fun. And I am sure I know two daughters who will be happy their mother visited.

We had decided to have a quiet night in tonight. Both of us needed it but I didn't get home until 9.30 and I am still up at 10.51 writing this entry. 

But now it's time to sleep. Until the next day.