Downtown Manhattan is an experience and a half. We took a city tour, as the easiest way to see key sights in 2.5 hours... tho' much of the time was spent stationary because of the manic traffic jams. But then walking wasn't much easier, with so many people bustling their way along the crowded walkways. The yellow taxis and stretch limos argued non-stop with big delivery trucks trying to force their way through.
Lower Manhattan is dominated by tall skyscrapers, so it's hard to see much besides buildings - places like Macey's department store, the Empire State building, which serves as a kind of compass point, the World Trade Centre, the UN and numerous towering blocks of varying architectural interest.
Our guide was a yelling woman, who shouted non-stop... and assumed that our main interest would be in where famous film stars lived, like De Caprio, or in her own family history. I would myself have liked more American history. We got it after we disembarked for the free ferry to Statten Island and came right back to board another bus with another guide.
The Statten Island ferry is an amazing way of seeing the Manhatten skyline from the water. As a bonus, it steams right past the iconic Statue of Liberty. I was amused by a group of French speaking Africans who were having a good time on board, photographing each other non-stop.
Back on the bus, we drove through the Lower East side, taking a look at the Brooklyn Bridge and passing Wall Street again. It was nice to know the Dutch originally built a wall here to keep the British out. Broadway, 5th Avenue took on a significance not fully appreciated until you are there. Greenwich Village, Little Italy, the Garment District, West Side - all came alive. We marvelled at the high security Waldorf Astoria hotel, where every American President has stayed, it seems, and where we are never likely to stay.
We got off the bus and walked up to Central Park past the Plaza Hotel. The horse-drawn carriages vieing for our custom. Yet another living Statue of Liberty beckoned with his finger to get us to take a photo and put some dollars in his collecting box. Central Park was an oasis in the heat and harrassment of the city - but then we learned how many murders had taken place in its leafy shade.
Walking back down 5th Avenue, we passed many classy shops like Tiffany's and did a bit of window shopping. But by now, we were feeling weary, and the sight of Pennsylvania Station and the subway to the Long Island Rail Road station was welcome.
We had 'done' Manhatten in a day. The fulness of its many possibilities would have to await another day.
and so you did it again... making me remember my stays in New York. First time, February 2006..Lewis and I stayed for about 4 days.. I had a bladder infection, but didn't want to admit to eat. With plenty of green tea at hand, we walked the streets and saw all (and more) of what you have mentioned in your post. We went up Rockefeller's building in the dark.. it was late.. we went all the way to the top and man, that wind... the pain from the cold allowed me to forget all about my silly ole bladder infection. During the day, we tried to hide behind building corners from that icy wind, but with no success at all. Painful but wonderful memory. My second time was May of 2009.. a lot more pleasant and Central Park looked soooo much friendlier this time around. Even went to the Metropolitan Museum... my world ;-) great great stuff!! ;-) thanks for the memories, my dear Jibey :-)
ReplyDelete