MoMA mia....

Just in case you think we are slackers, I forgot to mention that on the first day, we also spent a couple of hours in the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). To be in the same room with world-famous Van Gogh's, Picasso's, Serat's, Kandinsky's is an awesome experience. We didn't get enough - part of the exhibit was closed until Monday so our plan was to return.

Flatiron Building

Having a week-long subway pass meant that once our feet couldn't take it, we could dive underground and take a ride to another stop. We had time to kill before dinner and a play so stopped off at the wonderful Flatiron Building at the corner of Broadway and Fifth.

Occupy Wall Street

The movement that began a year ago, now consists of about 8 - 10 people sitting opposite the start of Wall Street just outside Trinity Church. Some have sleeping bags and appear to be there for the duration, others are there to talk and provide information.

WTC 1

We all agreed we wanted to visit Ground Zero but had doubts more than once as we worked through the maze of complications to accomplish this. We arrived close to the site of the original World Trade Center. The new tower is almost full height now. The grounds are surrounded by walls of one sort and another so you can't see in. We followed signs to the information office where tickets were presumably available. After waiting in line, we were given a map which took us six blocks to where the actual tickets were distributed! Long walk and wait later, we were up to the window and then informed that these were timed tickets and we had another hour and half wait. Each set back made us question if we wanted to carry on but we filled the time and returned at our time. We were now told to join a long, snaking line - for security! An airport-like search took place and we then joined the final line which moved all the way around the perimeter and in.
Once inside we did get an idea of the size of the original towers' footprint, now replaced by memorials (You can see the people lined up around it). The memorials are very moving, the park surrounding them will be peaceful and beautiful and the new buildings awesome. We only wonder when or if the need for security will ever end.

Financial District

After walking along the shoreline of Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan, we walked down Wall Street. It begins at Trinity Church (covered with scaffolding) with gravestones from the early 1700's. Wall Street is strange - sculptural brass barriers block the street at both ends, barricades surround the New York Stock Exchange building, security guards and police roam in front and packs of tourists form the audience. There is no evidence of traders coming or going. Flags reassure all that America is safe and proud but the insecurity is clearly evident.

This photo of the NYSE is taken from the steps of the Federal Building, a classic building from 1830's. We were looking down on the crowd along with George Washington, who took his oath of office on these steps.

More iconic sights

Plan today is to ride the Staten Island ferry to catch a view of the Statue of Liberty and look back at the skyline of Manhattan. We are not getting off - no time. Just want a first view and then we are exploring the financial district of Manhattan.
It isn't a clear day but enough can be seen to give us an overview. There are some other tourists on the ferry but most are commuters. We docked and had to race off and around the corner and back onto the return ferry with the locals watching us in our craziness.

The "Freedom Tower" stands out provocatively in the skyline. It still has three giant cranes on the top. The height is deceptive but when travelling from New Jersey, it stands out on the horizon long before the rest of Manhattan starts to appear - looks like it is a tall building somewhere in Newark rather than far away in the financial district of Manhattan.

It's only just begun....

Once we were settled with evening tickets, we covered as much local territory as we could. After the library, we walked to the Chrysler Building. The elegant foyer is open to the public and pictures of the elevator doors are possible if you lean in over the security gates. Art Deco at its most famous, this 30's building is gorgeous inside and out. This building along with the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center were all built in the 30's - a time of economic upheaval that obviously didn't affect everyone. The Empire State Building was built in just over 400 days!

Another turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts Building, Grand Central Terminal was saved the fate of the original Penn Station when Jackie Onassis lobbied to save it from demolition. Gold chandeliers, pink marble halls and vast spaces with vaulted ceilings are evidence of the extreme wealth of families such as the Vanderbilts who built it. 

Sitting down in a Thai Restaurant close to the theater district was a welcome relief for our aching feet. We then walked over to the New Amsterdam (not new any more!). Mary Poppins was a strange effort - an attempt to combine the charm of an old-school musical and elaborate sets with updated and disappointing songs and lyrics, strangely dissonant voices and campy acting. We gave it a thumbs down! We left the theater after dark but you'd never know it in Times Square. It is completely lit and full of people - impossible to tell the time of day or night. We headed for the subway and train for New Jersey, thankful for our sweet driver who was waiting at the station ready to pour us into bed! Day one complete, five to go.....