Taking a Walk with Bach and Sibelius

Took it easy again in the morning, then decided to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, which has been a goal.   The day was finally nice enough.   I walked from the Brooklyn side.  It was fairly crowded with tourists, but everyone was nice, taking each other's pictures.   It's not that long a walk, and really nice.  You can see a wavy building in the background, that is a building designed by Frank Gehry, an architect famous for unusually shaped buildings. Frank Gehry
I walked mostly all of it, then decided to wait for Dan to walk completely across it---saving my energy, but also wanted to see it at night when all the city lights are on.   I felt so inspired on the bridge, it's very majestic, and as I had my Ipod, I played 2 of my favorite inspiring pieces---Bach's "Little Fugue in G Minor" and the Sibelius 2nd Symphony, or part of it.   Of course, i then had to call my brother to tell him that, as we share a love of those 2 pieces of music.   It was pretty thrilling to see the Statue of Liberty while listening to them!

Later, Dan came home early, and I took him to lunch at the Chelsea Market.   I also took pictures of it.
Dan liked the market too, much more authentic than "Eataly", a very yuppie Italian eatery and Italian everything else that is nearer to the UES.  (apparently the "in" phrase for the "upper east side")
Afterwards, we decided to take the subway to the River on the Manhattan side, and walk across the Brookyn Bridge to our hotel from this side

An Ethnic Day, including Martha.

I felt a little better today;  took it easy in the morning and just hung around the hotel, lounging around.
Later, I took the subway to the Fashion Institute of America  where they had several fashion collections (FIT)  I really love fashion exhibits, to see clothing through the ages.   This one was o.k., but not a very large collection.   Still, it was all I could fiind, as the big one at the Met is apparently closed momentarily.

When I finished there, I was on my way to walk to Chelsea, and saw a sign that said "Martha Stewart", indicating her studios.  So, I walked by, and saw a short line of people.  When I asked what was going on, they said they were about to go in to see a taping of her show, and someone handled me an extra ticket!   I was the last person they let in.  Oh, it was fun and interesting.   Beautiful sets, and so interesting to see how they tape a show.  It is so practiced and organized, of course, you would think that with Martha.   She would be "on", during a segment, then would just stop, say a few words to her guest, and then, sort of shut down.   Though I hear she can be rather bitchy, it did occur to me that she had six segments to tape, so she really had to conserve her energy and focus inward to prepare for the next guest.   She'd move from set to set, as would all the stuff she'd need for that segment.    They did give away freebies, but it was mostly pretty lame--dog bones, and stuff from minwax.    (leftovers from the day's guests)

After this, I did walk to Chelsea, which is very close.  Wanted to see The Chelsea Market.   I loved this place, it is a foodies haven!   I liked it much better than "Eataly", a new place that is all Italian stuff, and much more yuppy.   The Chelsea Market has been there forever.chelseamarket    The bakeries are actually there on site, as well as the stores.  I bought a few treats, for dessert and for breakfast the next day.   There are bakeries, a huge fish store, an Italian store, a meat store, etc. and all the shops have food you can take out.  It is a huge area, takes up an entire city block.   I really liked this.

Got back to hotel, met Dan, traded info about what we'd done all day.   Adam then picked us up and drove us to Williamsburg to meet their cousin, John, at a Polish restaurant.   Krnik?    It was really, really good!  Very authentic.   The 3 of them ate  ALOT!   John ordered salmon tartare as an appetizer, which was delicious, something I never thought I'd like.  Dan will add on the right name and what everyone ate, I don't really know the right names.   I didn't eat much, didn't feel well, but loved the place.
John had a big bag with them, and when we left, I asked him what it was.  Well, it was his BIKE!   It collapsed into a case!   He quickly put it together, and rode home.

A good day.

Another week in NY

This week was pretty busy for me. I went to Manhattan a couple of times, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. I also saw Caroline Kennedy at Barnes and Nobles, and Henning Mankell the next night at Barnes and Nobles. That same night I saw Toots Theilman at the Blue Note Jazz Club. The most notable things that I saw this week were in Brooklyn in the area of Bensonherst near Coney Island. There are large areas of Orthodoox Jews, Russians, Middle Easterners, and Latino's. It is very diverse and the schools are full. Neighborhoods in general are very well kept. There are meat markets, grocery stores, clothing stores, pizza by the slice, hot dogs, everything you can imagine. It was quite something. I also walked along the boardwalk in Coney Island, which is under renovation. That was interesting. The whole area is fascinating diverse and unique.

from the Lower East Side to the Upper West

Met Hillary and Ken at Katz's deli for lunch.  They were on their way to see The Tenement Museum.(Tenement Museum)   Now this is worth looking up, it is a fascinating museum where you tour an actual tenement where immigrants would live.  I have been to it before, and am really not feeling well, so I didn't go back with them, but said good-bye to them at lunch.  Dan joined us later as he was done for the day.  We were disappointed in the lunch, it doesn't hold a candle to Zingerman's in Ann Arbor!
We said our good-byes, and Dan also went back to the room to do paperwork.   I had the afternoon to myself.  
I was on my way to meet a new friend, Marie, for a drink at the Boathouse, which is in Central Park.   Took my time getting there, stopping at Bloomingdale's and Henri Bendel's to do a little shopping.   I love Henri Bendel's, it is really a unique store.   Ritzy, but fun and laid out well.
Walked through the park to meet Marie, and on the way, discovered the Central Park Zoo!  There was a show going on, with seals.   It was delightful and I stopped and watched.  Unfortunately, i was also trying to call my doctor's office to get some meds sent to the Brooklyn RiteAid, but alas, they wouldn't do it without seeing me, suggested i go to Urgent Care.  (oh, what a thought---in the middle of Brooklyn!)
Anyway, I met Marie for a drink, which was fun.   The Boathouse is a beautiful spot.  
I didn't stay long, as i really didn't feel well, and had had a full day.
Went back to the hotel, where there was a group up in the "Concierge Suite" for Dan's work group.  met some people, but i really wasn't in it.    Ended up going to dinner with another couple, who wanted to tag along with us to eat at Junior's.   This is a great place, nearby and very casual, but famous for it's cheesecake.  Everything was good!  I had a wedge of lettuce, my very favorite thing, and a piece of Dan's fried chicken, excellent.
Went back gladly to take it easy.  You will be noting i have NOT been able to take it easy!  

Coal Miners to Cigar Factories

Today we went to see "Billy Elliot".   We got half price tickets at the kiosk behind our hotel.   (this is almost a secret location---in Brooklyn, just get off the subway at the Jay stop and it's right there)  There was
barely anyone in line.   I was excited, as this was my first pick for a play.  
It is always exciting to see theater in NYC, and we wished we had done more of this.   We both loved this play, great music by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and a good story, of a boy who lives in a poor mining town in England where the workers are striking, to no avail.  (  Billy Elliot)
After the play, we walked to Hillary and Ken's hotel, and had a nice dinner in the Cuban restaurant there.   They are in a good location on Lexington street near the theater district.   We did not have cigars after dinner, however!
We then came back to our hotel.   I have a cold, which is getting worse and worse.   It is going into my lungs, and am thinking it is bronchitis.   I am trying to rest and take it easy

March 26th--Cloistered in the beauty

Met Hillary and Ken at The Cloisters, a beautiful museum that is part of the Met.    As we got off the subway, we were thrilled by the beautiful area we were in.   We had to hike up to the museum, through a beautiful park.   Across the Hudson River were the New Jersey Palisades, which are cliffs.  (I never knew this)   The museum itself is a work of art;  it is built to copy a monastary, and is beautiful!   The exhibits are all medieval, from 1100-1400, divided by the different time periods.   We had recently read "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett, which we both loved, and takes place during medieval times, so we've become interested in this time period.   This is a lovely museum!   (  The Cloisters)  I really suggest you look it up to get the full story of this museum.

Later, Hillary and Ken went to see a play, "Arcadia", by Tom Stoppard.  (Their assessment the next day was, "We're still thinking about it."  )    Dan and I met my cousin, Rick, his girlfriend, Nancy, his son, Jesse, wife Jamie, and new baby, Kingston, and Adam, for dinner at Los Cominos.   We really had a nice time. Very good restaurant, the guacamole was homemade and DELICIOUS.!     This was a combined birthday celebration for Rick and I, as his birthday is March 27th.    Nancy is so sweet,  I really like her, and Rick is one of my favorite cousins.   She bought me a gift, and arranged a surprise dessert.   It felt festive, and so nice to have family around.  I am very rarely with family on my birthday, so when I am, I treasure it.

, Hillary and Ken went to see a play, "Arcadia", by Tom Stoppard.  (Their assessment the next day was, "We're still thinking about it."  )    Dan and I met my cousin, Rick, his girlfriend, Nancy, his son, Jesse, wife Jamie, and new baby, Kingston, and Adam, for dinner at Los Cominos.   We really had a nice time. Very good restaurant, the guacamole was homemade and DELICIOUS.!     This was a combined birthday celebration for Rick and I, as his birthday is March 27th.    Nancy is so sweet,  I really like her, and Rick is one of my favorite cousins.   She bought me a gift, and arranged a surprise dessert.   It felt festive, and so nice to have family around.  I am very rarely with family on my birthday, so when I am, I treasure it.

Pat finally gets to NYC-March 25th

I was supposed to leave for NYC on my birthday, March 23rd.   Well, we had a blizzard up in Traverse City!   Aside from falling in a huge snow bank, and almost not being able to get out of the house or driveway, my flight was cancelled.  I was actually relieved, the thought of trying to drive 20 miles was not welcoming.  The only face to face i had all day was a Skype talk with my good friend, Lynn.   Dan too, later on.  Not my best birthday!
I also need to mention, however, how many phone calls i got.   All the kids----Adam, Matt, Melisa and Jay and Lindsey, Jim and Laura.  Jane called from Florida, got many cards.  I felt lonely, but very loved.

Finally got to NYC on friday, the 25th, and it went smoothly.   Hillary and Ken were coming in about an hour later, and they met us at my birthday pick restaurant, Armando's in Brooklyn.   We had a great meal again---i was torn, but ordered the veal instead of the lasagne.  It was excellent and i was glad i did.
Glad to finally be back in NYC, it felt so comfortable this time.  So good to see Hillary and Ken too.