New York day 4 October 4

New York day 4 Thursday October 4

Rockerfeller centre.

Another overcast and sprinkle day so we planned a day of mostly indoor pursuits.

The architecture and art of the rockerfeller centre beckoned. We walked  up Madison ave and noticed a decided change in feel once we got north of 42 nd street. The road is wide, the cars are fancier and the trees a buildings make it feel classier. The people are also a little dressier.

One of many murals in the foyer of the main building

There are a number of tours available at the Rock and we do plan to go back to go to the top on a good visibility day but today's plan was to visit the building itself. Our tour guide was very knowledgable about the Rockerfellers  and the building.

mosaic of the influence of thought on civilisation

There is a lot of good mural art and a famous incident involving Diego rivera was described with relish by our guide.

So much thought has gone into the buildings all over this town and this is no exception.

Towards St Patricks in scaffolding

The lobby most striking to me was the lobby of the building facing St Patrick's cathedral.

facing the cathedral

towards commerce

Cathedral like in its own proportions, there are long windows designed to give the best aspect of the cathedral across the road. The statue of atlas outside the lobby is interesting too. Viewed towards the cathedral atlas looks like he is carrying the globe rather like Christ carrying the cross whereas looking towards this building of commerce, atlas looks quite triumphant. Same statue. Different aspects.

feature made of pyrex!

From the entrance

It was the seat of the United Nations for a time

The Christmas tree is inserted here

Every one of the buildings has art like this

After the tour we visited the anthropologie store at the centre. I can see why so many people recommend it. Such a lovely mix of home wares and clothes. And quite a different style to what i had seen before. It is hard to shop for clothes for presents because I am not sure of sizing but there were other things to get as presents. 

We decided to have lunch at the centre and found a sandwich shop called Witchcraft.    Both of us had soup and half sandwich again. This time mine was cold zucchini soup with sandwich of goats cheese, walnuts, olives, greens and avocado.

After that we walked towards Times Square to get show tickets from the TKTS booth. Luckily the play only line was much shorter. I arrived at 2.15 and the booth opened at 3. I was about 6 th in line so we easily scored tickets to Steppenwolfs production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe . 

We the headed downtown to the library of J Pierpont Morgan. ( the illusion from the show how to succeed in business was not lost in me ).

The receiving room!

 This collection of important manuscripts and works of art is astounding. He collected manuscripts of original compostitions and private correspondance between people as varied as napoleon and josephine and jd salinger. his actial office and library were sumptuously decorated. red silk wallpaper and huge fireplace.

Mosaic walls and decorative ceilings. an amazing display of wealth.

the library

A decorative air vent

From a Gutenberg bible

a Jewelled Bible

The connecting space between the various JP Morgan buildings

We were both pretty tired by then.For the first time we headed home for a little rest and a quick bite to eat of cheeses and nibbles and a cup of tea! Oh, and some time for me to do my washing. Then a quick brisk walk back to the theatre.

Our seats were 9 from the front and to the extreme right but we had a good view of the stage. What a performance! I had never seen this play. It is easy to understand why it is a classic. The performers were marvelous and looked absolutely spent by the end of it. Three acts and almost 3 hours later we were also spent. By the time we walked home we both were happy to fall into bed.