Time to head home.

Tags

African Burial Ground, Brooklyn, Coney Island, JetBlue, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, Monuments, New York, Road Trip, Subway, Travel, USA

The only available day to visit the recent historical landmark of the African Memorial Exhibition, happened to be today, on the last day in NY. After missing the entrance a couple of times (it’s in the back of a Federal building), it was finally found and the appropriate security checkpoints navigated through. Envisioning a small plaque and maybe a couple of leaflets, it was really good to see a visual history of Africans in New York and the origins of the burial ground. The bodies have been re-buried now, but there is a wonderful monument outside. If you’re interested in history and the early life of modern America (Specifically New York), this is so worth the time spent. The ranger on hand was informative enough, if not a little campy and I almost expected him to burst into prayer, with the growing emphasis on words (you know-ah, what ah meeeeean-ah). Another assumed minor monument, that’s surpassed expectations.

Liberty Island, Chinatown, and some absent sky-line.

Tags

Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, Liberty Island, Manhattan, Monuments, New York, Road Trip, St. Paul's church, Statue of Liberty, Travel, USA, World Trade Center, WTC

Today finally saw the rains come down, right at the time and place I wish they hadn’t. Standing in a line for a ferry ticket to Liberty island, while an icy wind forced the rain right at me. The ticket booths are in a central area with no covering, which considering it’s New York and you know, cold and wet for portions of the year, you’d think they would have more tourist-friendly access. These days I’m not too perturbed at standing in these conditions, after all those podcasts and readings of Buddha helped me understand; when you resolve yourself to the inevitable, the inevitable ceases to become a burden.

New Years eve in Manhattan.

Tags

Central Park, Church of Heavenly Rest, Guggenheim, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis reservoir, Macys, Manhattan, Marion's, MoMA, Museum Mile, Museum of Modern Art, New Years Eve, New York, Richard Prince, Times Square, Travel, USA, Whitney Museum of American Art

Man I needed that sleep. I could sleep for longer but, on with the tourism! The hotel snacky breakfast isn’t that bad really, considering the usual continental affair is often some hard fruit that’s been in the fridge too long, chewy croissants and watery coffee flavoured liquid. The coffee wasn’t too bad, Florida OJ in the fridge and a mixed berry pastry, was what I picked for myself. Bagels were also up for grabs, as well as methods of cooking them so yeah, not bad really for the basics.