Day 2 NYC.

I had a huge success right off the bat today – I navigated the New York subway system! I purchased a Metro card, eventually figured out how to use it to get through a turnstyle, and found after much exploration the underpass to the train I wanted to take.

I started my walk at Macy’s “Flagship” store which was a good thing as I had packed very poorly for this trip. NYC is warmer and more humid than I expected, so I took advantage of being at Macy’s to pick up a few light-weight things. I enjoyed taking an escalator likely built in the 1920s down a floor. The narrow width and the wood siding gave it away.

Something I’m now used to seeing are COVID testing sites under tents on sidewalks. I shall have to find out if they’re giving PCR tests as that’s what I’ll need for my return home.

Next stop – the Empire State Building which used to be the tallest building in New York. My walk card told me how to buy a ticket to ride the elevator to the top for a fabulous view of the city, but when I saw the price was $75, I decided my vertigo would not allow such a trip. Heck, even taking this photo made me dizzy.

On the way to the highlight of my day – the Morgan Library and Museum – I passed the Cuny Graduate Centre with a sign so heartwarming that I had to take a photograph of it. I hope the Cuny makes good on its promise and trains grads in the importance of the public good.

And now to the highlight of my day! The Morgan Library and Museum must be one of the most stunning buildings in the world.

The entrance is full of light and space, a contrast to the museum and library spaces inside. The place is, of course, full of books, tiers of beautifully bound books, but it is also an exhibition space. One current exhibition is the remarkable work of Shahzia Sikander, a Pakistani artist. Another is Drawings from Black Artists from the American South, while a third is Bound for Versailles: The Jayne Wrightsman Bookbindings Collection. What an interesting and varied choice of exhibitions.

But I think you will see from my photos that the building itself was the exhibition I really fell in love with.

My final stop on this walk was the Chrysler Building, a triumph in art deco architecture. The card told me to “pop into the gleaming marble lobby to view the beautiful ceiling mural.” Sadly the card publisher needs to update this one. The security guard in the lobby wouldn’t let me past the front door.

What was to be my final stop was the United Nations. Because the General Assembly was sitting, I was not allowed to go further east than 2nd Avenue. Traffic was appalling, often stopped completely. The Secret Service agents weren’t being too secretive as they had “Secret Service” in large letters on their bullet proof vests! I asked one for directions to the Raoul Wallenberg scupture. He smiled and gave helpful directions but warned that there were a lot of protesters, so I should take care.

My walk back uptown to “my apartment” had lots to ogle. But this is already a long post, and tomorrow will be a light day, so I will finish today’s walk post tomorrow. See you then!