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.

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.

New York day two. Rain

New York day 2 

Today was rainy. We had intended to catch our final tourist bus, this time doing the upper manhattan loop. First though we walked into the chrysler building . you cant go up but the lobby is free to visit and hw beautiful it is. we took some ohotos and then forwarded on to grand central station. Monica had bought an iPod in Sydney to replace hers which was dying but she couldn't get the new one working. There is a HUGE apple store right in the middle of grand central station. It takes up half of the mezzanine bralcony overlooking the main concourse. How wonderful to work in this place bathed in golden light like this!  Anyway the apple people were very helpful and we left with a working iPod much to Monica's delight.

Down stairs we found a Mac store. I can't believe how inexpensive makeup is here.i bought a new eyebrow pencil for $15. Mac brand. Quite surprising.

Further wandering and we found the grand central market . This is like the David Jones food hall on steroids. We found some lovely salads and bought some edamame in pesto sauce and some caramel iced cauliflower with almonds to have for lunch later on.

We headed back up to the street in the hope that the rain had cleared but it really wasn't a good day for being out doors today.

So we changed plans and decided to go shopping. Macy's was the place to go. The city's largest department store.  11 floors of merchandise over a whole city block. Everyone else in New York had the same idea and it was quite crowded but once I found the plus size department I was pretty happy. They have Calvin Klein in plus size as well as Michael Kors and a brunch of other designers. I found a pair of nydj jeans, a skirt and a dress and a knitted top. Pretty satisfied with myself. Monica found a pair of black jeans and we shopoed for a coat but none in the affordable range that we liked.

By then we were pretty beat so Starbucks to the rescue.

We made out way back to Times Square and bought tickets to Chicago. We had coupons for discount tickets but they said those ones were sold out so we got back row tickets. Talk about the nose bleed section. Looking for dinner we found an Irish pub. I had some steak which was quite nice. The locals seem to like blue cheese on everything but I have no complaints about the blue cheese sauce on my meat. Monica had some baked Veges. 

We headed back to the theatre to find the queue along the street, around the corner and up to the next corner to get in. It's not that big a theatre really!

Both of us were pretty tired and closed out eyes for part of it. It was the same production as the recent Sydney one. The ensemble were great. So athletic and the guys were very built with the girls very skinny. The leads were ok but I hate to say I liked Sharin Millerchip and Carolyn O'Connor better. Felt like wringing Aussie to think that at my first broadway show but it is how it is.

We walked home exhausted with my feet complaining and starting to get blisters. But all in all a very satisfying day.

Aussie curves blue

Here's hoping this posts. I just love blue. Especially the shade I am wearing. I often wear red white and black but blue is my second fave and I have been drawn to a lot of it this season. These pics were taken two weeks ago as we prepared the picnic post as well.
This jacket is from city chic. I thought about it for weeks before I bought it and even tried it on three times. I figured after 3 try ons I definitely needed to have it. I love that it is made of heavy jersey so even though it looks smart enough to be corporate like how I have styled it this time, it can be dressed down with a pair of jeans or skirt and look great as well. It's very similar to the stripy jacket from my stripes post.

 I have to say that after taking these photos I wore it with black long stretch pants, cotton Lycra long sleeved T-shirt, black riding boots and a navy and white spotted scarf to fly across the pacific to New York. It was the most comfortable flying outfit I have ever worn. I was so grateful for it when the cabin got cold. I like to look smart when I fly and this was just the ticket.

Aussies curves picnic

Originally when I read the picnic theme for Aussie curves I thought gingham skirt and blanket. Not really my style. Neither is the cute shorts and tied shirt look. But really for me, being the fair skinned Celtic background girl I am, picnic is all about the hat. 10 minutes in the sun without protection and I start to look like a lobster so hat and sunscreen are essentials for this girl to picnic.

And hat invites the theme of the mad hatters tea party. So my girl and I got dressed up and took photos with that in mind. She is not plus sized but forgive me. I think she is so beautiful so I had to share.
My hat is from the eumundi markets bought last year. I love it's graphic style.
The dress is from ts14 plus. And of course, because a picnic involves sitting on the ground, I have cropped pants on underneath for comfort and decorum.

New York day one

New York day 1

We had the most amazingly full day today.  Decided to take a tour to get oriented to the city. We bought a 4 bus ticket that lasts 48 hours and to 3 tours! 

But first we walked around our neighborhood. Before we knew it the Chrysler building came into view. It is truly every bit as beautiful as you would expect.

Further down 42 nd street and we landed at grand central station. What a stunning piece of architecture. We found the apple store which needs a visit later on and then purchased our city explorer pass.

Walked further down  42nd past the new york city library   and found Bryant park. What a lovely park this is. Tables and chairs around for the use of anyone. People playing table tennis and recreating on the grass.  Dappled light through the trees and a soft breeze. It was a lovely oasis in the middle of the big smoke. I can see why New Yorkers love it so much.

oasis on 42nd street

table tennis in Bryant park anyone?

Then we boarded our tour bus for the midtown explore. This took us from 42 nd street down towards the south end of the island. We passed Macy's,

11 stories of retail

Madison square garden, Empire State Building ,

Empire state building from the bus

Chrysler building, New York public  library, ( scene of the marriage  debacle in the sex in the city movie ) through Chelsea Greenwich village, soho, noho, nolita and the flatiron district.

Flatiron building

Our tour guide was a feisty New York woman who was full of tidbits of information and  great company. At one stage we got stuck in a traffic jam. Fire trucks had blocked the other end of the street and we were going nowhere. She got it of the bus and directed traffic, making trucks and buses back out of the set so we could reverse back ut of the street and go back down 6 th ave to continue our tour.

We got off down near the twin towers memorial and went into St. Paul's chapel. We made it just in time for the free Monday concert.

concert program

 All I can say is wow! In the middle of this bustling bright city we walked into a beautiful chapel with a chamber orchestra and choir performing 2 Bach cantatas and the back Gloria. Sing unto The Lord a new song ( bwv 190) and bwv 192 nun danket alle gott.  One of the parts was performed by a very talented counter tenor.

We drifted out after an hour of bliss to find some lunch. Walked into a local deli for half sandwich and soup of the day. Monica had a delicious tomato and basil soup heavily laced with garlic and a sandwich with rocket, capsicum, eggplant and chèvre and I had chicken and barley soup with roast beef, capsicum and lettuce sandwich. Thanks to Liz for the suggestion of the half sandwich. It was really quite a large and satisfying meal. The soup was wonderful. Clearly home made and delicious. 

We then got back on the bus and travelled up the east side of the island past the south street sea port, east village and past the hospital mile and realized we would not make it to the cruise we wanted to catch so quickly off and a taxi across town to pier 78 on the west side of the island. We were almost the last on board! Our cruise took us around the lower half of the islands and it was so wonderful to see the city from the river.

Battery park

 We went past Greenwich village, Chelsea pier, lower manhattan including the new freedom tower which has pipped the Empire State as the tallest building in the city.  We continued around and under the Brooklyn bridge, manhattan bridge and up to the Williamsburg bridge. Oh those bridges are lovely! Lots of wonderful photo opportunities.

Manhattan bridge

Under the Brooklyn bridge

Our return journey took us past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island with more photo opportunities. We stood the whole way for the 90 minute cruise! But it was worth it.

After the cruise we walked back up 42 nd street from 12 th avenue to Times Square. Stopped at a Starbucks for a reasonable approximation of a cappuccino, lovely coffee cake and free wifi! We passed a theatre that had a play with Sam shepherd performing in it. What a pity it closed the might before. I just kept thinking of my girls and how much they would enjoy seeing all this. Can't wait to share it with them. 

Phone service was next on the agenda. We found the AT&T store in Times Square. Our agent angel was true to his name. He supplied a micro sim and hooked me up with data and calls and all the text I could want for the very reasonable $50. I am now connected and very happy.

First glimpse of Times Square

We wandered back down to find the city lights tour. Had a little trouble but eventually found our starting point. Our tour guide this time was a little Jewish man from Harlem called Ammi. He would have to be the best true guide I have ever had. So enthusiastic and knowledgable. He had done so much research for his tour in the archives of the unlicensed library and had really interesting information to share and opinions about the history and education in his town. This tour took us back down past a lot of the midtown places we had seen earlier but now with the lights. It was quite entertaining to be able to see into the apartments of so many new yorkers. they must realise people can see in but dont close their curtains. a whole different life above street level.

snooping

 

Then we went across the manhattan bridge. Our driver stopped in the middle of the bridge to allow photos. Can you believe it? The commuters around us were pretty unhappy but we got good photos.

 Into Brooklyn and by the Brooklyn bridge for more hoots and then a drive along the shore so that we could see the lights of manhattan. Another stop for photos . Then back into town. We disembarked at 10.30 and realized we hadn't had dinner. A deli inn7th avenue open 24 hours served us spinach pie to fill the gap. We walked home which was quite a decent walk and found a grocery store open 24 hours so picked up a few snacks and some breakfast at 11.30 pm before getting into the hotel and almost straight to bed.

The weather today was glorious. Couldn't have asked for better. Tomorrow is predicted to be overcast and rainy. We will see.

Travel day to New York

Travel day one

It's amazing how long haul travel just takes you to another place. Stuck in a  seat for 24 hours, most of the time with the lights dimmed and nothing to do but watch movies or read helps you to reset. Any concerns you might have had before leaving become irrelevant as you start to anticipate what lies ahead.

It certainly takes a long time to get to New York. From my front door to the hotel took 29 hours.  I probably slept a couple of hours between LA and New York but that's all so it was good to arrive at night and go to bed after a couple of hours of getting our bearings. 

We chose well for our hotel. It's in midtown just a few blocks form the Empire State Building and about a mile from the theatre district. The area is quiet at night and the streets feel safe. Our suite is huge. It's the size of a good one bedroom apartment . We have two queen sized beds, a bathroom and kitchen with coffee machine kettle and toaster as well as full sized fridge and dishwasher. You could live here for months quite comfortably.

We can see the Empire State Building from our bedroom window. And the Chrysler building and grand central station are only a few blocks away.

Can't wait to explore

No pics yet. Having real trouble with blogger on the iPad.  Lets just see how text only works