Continuing where I left off last year...
So much has been said about New York City it's difficult to come up with anything new.
We spent a mostly unplanned day in the Big Apple this past October and had an incredible time. If we ever return though, I think I want to take some of the architectural walking tours so many companies offer because the architecture here is confusingly stunning.
Why, you may ask?
Well, it has to do with where I'm from. The places I've lived and visited have mostly individual buildings with a few exceptions such as shopping plazas, small sections of a downtown and the like. Schools are separate structures with playgrounds or sports fields. Churches can be recognized by their construction style. And so on.
New York City is not like this. They do have some individual buildings but, to me at least, it has far more city blocks of buildings mashed together into larger, more singular type structures. When one part of this conglomeration needs to be changed whether from age or design, it's like a Lego block is removed from that part of the building and replaced with another so you have gilded age Victorians smooshed next to Art Deco smooshed next to Mid Century Modern. It's a beautiful crazy quilt of compositions.
We were walking along one of the streets and did a double take when we saw an LDS church taking up a corner section of one such block. We barely recognized it for what it was. There was no steeple, no standard building design. Just lettering on a white (probably marble) building face.
This facet of life in a major city was really brought home while we were walking through Central Park. We passed several playgrounds which were mostly devoid of children but then came across one that was overflowing.
Why?
What did this particular playground offer that the others didn't? As we were trying to figure it out, a man approached the gaggle of youngsters and told them it was time to go. Light bulb. This was recess for a nearby school.
When you come from a place where city parks are not used for school recess, it takes a moment to full process what their school must look like.
There is so much to see in Central Park that after spending a couple of hours leisurely walking through the upper section, we decided to the lower area needed to be viewed from a carriage (thanks to Madison the horse).
And of course, the most iconic place in Central Park, for me at least, is Bethesda Fountain. Used in many movies including, Enchanted.
Sadly, there was less singing and dancing when we were there.
While we had spent the first part of the morning, before Central Park, wandering Roosevelt Island with its lovely views of NYC's skyline and relaxing vibe...
We spent about 5 minutes of our evening walking through Times Square before quickly exiting. It was still too crowded even early on a slow day.
And even though we passed by several theaters, we didn't stop to take in a show. We were having dinner with my boss later which, according to the youngest of our children, was still no excuse for missing out on seeing a play.
What can you say about a trip to New York City?
Apparently, a lot.
I'm still not a fan of the city but my opinion of it has improved. There is definitely something to see there for most everyone.
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