Even old New York was once New Amsterdam Adventure

New York City! Get a rope!

We left the peacefulness of rural Massachusetts and headed to what is rapidly becoming my favorite city, New York! The skyscrapers, the food, the smell of pot, the bankers, the artists, the con-men (although I already said bankers) all come together to create a remarkable place of frenetic energy where surprises and heartache hide around each corner.

We continued our time with Bill and Laurel as we all took the 4 hour train trip from Amherst to New York City. Later in the week they would return home, and we would be immediately joined by Mike and Laurie and Mike's mom, May.

Skyscrapers

The massive buildings everywhere are engineering marvels. They rise up to impossible heights above the city floor. As you ascend you leave the chaos behind and it becomes quite quiet. We went to the top of the Empire State building where we were treated to spectacular 360 degree views of the city (and a run in with King Kong.) Despite my wobbly knees it is one of the more impressive man-made sites I have ever seen. Other spectacular views were from Williamsburg bridge and a cruise we took that went completely around the island of Manhattan.

Food

As should come as no surprise to anyone (except my father), the food was spectacular. Many excellent meals were had. Sheri started off with the obligatory bagel which met her expectations. The gang had a spectacular Ethiopian meal. One of my favorite cuisines and one of the very few things I have missed since hitting the road. Finally, what would a trip to New York City be without some amazing pizza? I however have still never gotten my hotdog from a street vender (or better yet Coney Island). A reason as good as any other to return to this city some day.

The Arts

We spent a afternoon sitting in a park where it turned out they were filming a scene for an Apple TV series called Your Friends and Neighbors. It was fascinating watching everyone setting up the shot and rehearsing it and when everything was ready to go who should arrive? None other than Jon Hamm. He would walk by us on each take. We talked to the extras and I even got my picture taken with one of them.

We went to the Guggenheim Museum. The primary artist being exhibited was Rashid Johnson. We took a tour with a docent and saw various pieces from different periods of the artist's career. Unsurprisingly, most of it was lost on me but one piece did speak to me and felt extremely relevant. We also went to the Tenement Museum. The museum features how people that actually called these apartments home lived. We learned about a woman that immigrated from China and would spend her career as a seamstress (all three of her children would go on to graduate college.)

Other than bagels and pizza what is the other thing you have to do in New York? Go to the theatre of course. We saw The Outsiders which won the Tony for best musical. This is a book and subsequent movie that has great meaning to Sheri. Somehow I never heard of either when I was a teenager. The show was spectacular. It is always amazing to see what talented people can achieve.

We also saw Dungeons and Dragons: The Twenty Sided Tavern. Hard to describe this one but it was an improvised, audience participation nerd fest so it was right up our alley. It was a great time with many laughs and a fair amount of chaos.

Onwards

It was time to move on. We all piled into a van with all our luggage (May is in the front seat.) It was off to the docks were we would board our cruise ship that would take us away from the shame of the United States and to places of greater humanity, kindness and common sense.

This used to be a symbol of hope and welcoming. Now it has a very different meaning. Sheri and I wave good bye and can only hope upon our return that some sanity may have returned

Next up a Transatlantic cruise....