From photography to gardening and everything inbetween.
Gardener's Supply
Gardening Books
Seasonal Cooking
Country Living
Farmers Market Cookbook
9.24.2007
Good Ole New York
Good ole New York.
I spent a lengthy time in New York back in 94 when I was doing an internship for Sony Music. That was an experience in itself and thinking back on it I really should have done more. I didn't do the touristy stuff. I didn't go see the things that everyone says you have to go see when you are in New York. No, I just went from Grand Central station to Sony Music and back, not getting the full experience.
The most memorable part of that stay, besides my very best bud Brian taking good care of me, is that on my last day there my spirits were lifted by a good sole. I had the worst day ever during my internship. Everyone was throwing me a party because they loved my work and down the hall runs one of the A&R guys in a panic. Come to find out some paper work for the Spin Doctors record had gotten screwed up and the wrong paper work was sent to the studio... Guess who's fault is was.. yes that would be me.
I was devistated I had messed up the master for the Spin Doctor's record the end was near and I was in tears. The worst day ever.
*Side note to that. Looking back on it, it wasn't totally my fault because the record labels usually have a fail safe of listening to a demo of it to make sure everything is correct before they master the thing. Ball dropped on all ends not just mine.
Anyway, I was just entering Grand Central Station probably looking distraught and this gentleman selling flowers hands me a few and says I am sorry you are so sad on your last day in New York, cheer up these are for you. How did he know it was my last day?
This weekend I had the chance to come back to New York and though it was a short stay I took in as much as I could. I flew in Sunday morning and flying out Monday night for a training for work.
During my time here I wanted to take in just a few sites and meander around. I flew into Laguardia and had to take a taxi to my hotel. Ok, first of all I have only taken one taxi in my life from the Nashville Airport to my house and a taxi in New York? Ugh the horror stories running through my head. Well that went ok, even though I have learned that the art of taxi driving is to move your gas pedal foot back and forth like you are exercising your foot or something in turn jerking the car around.
Taxi ride ok. Check. I find my hotel. Quaint little hotel and very historic in what I come to find out is one of the earliest parts of New York City. It's about 11 am and I go to check in. The lady at the front desk tells me that check in isn't until after 12 or more likely 1pm. That's fine I say I'll just leave my bags here and go for a walk since I only have one day anyway.
My friend Brian who still lives here had told me that he is doing a jazz thing on the pier, which one, I don't know, but there are several piers around, I decide to walk to the River. No such luck Pier 17 is doing a Spanish something or other and it is crowded. Very crowded. I give up thinking Brian is around, and since I couldn't get ahold of him because I didn't have his number, I hope that he will call.
I decide to walk over to where I can see the Statue of Liberty and take some photos.
I walked all along the coast (is it a coast in New York?) aimed for my next destination Ground Zero in the World Trade area. It is interesting how many really nice parks are in New York. Thinking oh this is easy to find I just start walking and looking at the maps that are on whatever corners, Now mind you Manhattan isn't very big and it's hard to really tell how far you have walked, come to find out Brian told me later that Manhattan is only 14 miles from end to end but I swear I walked 100! I kept walking thinking I knew where I was and finally I stopped and asked a park person and she says ok it's back the other way. You really can't miss it (obviously I can!) Since everything seems to be tore up in Manhattan you all can't blame me for missing it. There are no signs and it's just a big construction area. I find it. Cross the bridge and stare at it. Now because I had actually been in New York before to see the skyline with the towers seeing the big hole as it is now was kind of surreal that the little bitty footprint they were working on held 2 very tall buildings. What suprised me more was the lack of devistation around those buildings due to how close everything actually is.
Satisfied that I had seen all the construction I could see for one day it was 1pm and I was getting sore from walking on so much pavement so decide to go back to the hotel. Um the hotel, How do I get back to the hotel?
New York is based on a grid except for the street I happen to be staying on which is a very small back in the corner type of street that even the taxi driver had a hard time finding. I start walking looking at the signs of the major roads convinced I could find my way. Just follow the signs. There is a historic tavern near where I'm staying.
Well one thing I learned is that even though you see it on one sign does not mean it will be on all the other signs.
Walking, walking, still walking.. Oo Trinity church with a really old cemetary.
hey it's the New York Stock exchange,
still walking mmm. Trump tower. Dang, I know that the street is around here somewhere. Ok says turn on this street walking, walking mmm it's the end of the street, how did that happen? Walk back, um I've seen that already oh there's another map. I stand there for about 10 minutes oooohhhh it's the street with no street sign. OF COURSE!
I finally get back to the hotel and wait for Brian to call. Brian finally calls and he's at a pier on 145th street. Hey he says take a subway up here. HAHA I say you know I don't do subways so he agrees to come see me when he gets off doing the show. I can't wait I haven't seen him in 13 years!
After resting up a bit I decide to go get some lunch and behind this hotel on a little street are some eateries. I decide to eat at an little italian pizzaria. YUM! I had the tomato, basil and mozzarella sandwiches with procuitto on them. Triple YUM! $15 for that and a very small bottle of pepsi? Good God!
I decide to go back to Pier 17 since that is where all the action is and the touristy shopping and brave the crowd to pick up post cards for everyone! (I'm cheap what do you want? An I love NY t-shirt riiiight)
Back to the hotel to rest up again before Brian shows up.
At about 7:30 I message Brian and tell him you'd better hurry up as I'm starving. He tells me is going to take the subway and we are going to meet at the pier so he doesn't have to try and find my hotel. At about 8;30 he calls me to tell me that the subway got stuck (see!) and he's taking a taxi but he's not sure where he is (then everyone wonders why everywhere else in the US is addicted to their cars). He finally shows up and I am so happy to see him! We went through a lot when we were roommates back in Florida. We meander around a bit and go get something to eat talk for a good while and then unfortunately since I have to get up early decide I must go turn in. (Even though I really wanted to party)
Monday was pretty uneventful made it to the building, through the class then decided that I must make beline for the airport as the UN delegates where in town (no wonder there were tons of secret service people all over the place). I leave the training at the end of the to go find a taxi. Ok mmm. hailing a taxi is an art form I guess. Don't these people want passengers? How am I going to get to the airport on time? I pretty loaded down with bags CAN'T YOU TELL I NEED A TAXI? Finally! Someone pays attention. I get in and do as I'm told and instruct him to take the Brooklyn Bridge to the airport. Ahh almost there, What? Are you talking to me? Great a chatty taxi driver. Did he just ask me if I was polish? No one has ever asked me that because I don't look Polish? I look like my grandmother who is Norweigen. He then proceeds to tell me all about the polish areas in Brooklyn.
New York is an interesting place. Thinking about what the taxi driver said. New York is still proud of all its Heritage. We started talking about where I'm from and I said Wisconsin he says yes mostly German country. I say that is correct with a lot of Scandinavians as well. Then he asks me about Nashville. I say well Nashville is mostly well um since everyone goes there to do something there isn't one per say. I say well there are a lot of spanish. He chuckles and says I think that's everywhere. Only in New York will someone ask you if you are of a certain heritage and then point out all the areas that still are very proud of it! That conversation just makes me think people of different countries came here to improve their life (legally). New York is still a reflection of that. We should be proud of who we are and not take it for granted.
Yes yes New York never fails to catch me off guard. I think I would like to visit again to see what the next adventure brings.
