So we woke up at the amazing hour of 7am to get a good head start on our day. We stopped at the Starbucks of the Eastern Seaboard, Dunkin' Donuts, for some cheap eats and coffee. The amazing part of coffee on the east coast is the way you order it. Out here, if you order a "regular" coffee, you get coffee, and you get it black. Out there, a "regular" coffee is with cream and sugar. So if you like black coffee, make sure to mention it.
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From D.D., we walked down 5th Ave. past the Met (Metroplitan Museum of Art for long), which is a gorgeous sight, and entered into Central Park. Central Park, in many ways to me, is one of the great wonders of the world. It's amazing that the city planners had the foresight to reserve this plot of land and restrict it's use for anything other than nature. It's not only an amazing park for New York City, but it's one of the greatest greenbelts I have ever seen, if not the greatest. From what I remember hearing, part of the reason that the park was set aside was because of the higher elevation of bedrock that made it very difficult to even build on reasonably. This is evidenced in the masses of rock potruding out all along the park, but that also have become so beautiful and smoothed out from the years of Nor'easterns and rainfall.
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In the park we walked past a great sculpture of Alice and Wonderland, and Eric found what he swears is a copyright infringement on his nose on the sculpture of the Mad Hatter. I think he's just weird.
In the park we walked past a great sculpture of Alice and Wonderland, and Eric found what he swears is a copyright infringement on his nose on the sculpture of the Mad Hatter. I think he's just weird..
Near the center of the Park is the Mall (no, not that kind of mall), which is a stretch of cobblestone and brick lined with a canopy of trees on both sides. Just past this is the centerpiece of the Park, the Bethesda Fountain.
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The Bethesda Fountain is a relaxing place to land in Central Park. It's peaceful, quiet, and beautiful all at once. To the south of the Fountain is an underpass with a little gem you can't miss. Inside the arched tunnel passageway is an amazingly decorated ceiling, one of the many little surprises that New York has to offer. The city has/had such a high respect for art and a fondness for detail and beauty, and it is found in all the most random places throughout Manhattan. They really never spared any expense when it came to adorning their streets and parks with art. ..
Going past the Fountain to the Upper West Side, we reach Strawberry Fields, a location in Central Park directly across the street where John Lennon lived and ultimately died. John and Yoko peered into this section of Central Park every day of their life while at home in the city, and after John's passing, Yoko had the section of the Park dedicated to world peace. In this "Field," there is an indigenous plant from all 161 countries in the world represented. At the centerpiece, of course, is the tile mosaic "Imagine."
Going past the Fountain to the Upper West Side, we reach Strawberry Fields, a location in Central Park directly across the street where John Lennon lived and ultimately died. John and Yoko peered into this section of Central Park every day of their life while at home in the city, and after John's passing, Yoko had the section of the Park dedicated to world peace. In this "Field," there is an indigenous plant from all 161 countries in the world represented. At the centerpiece, of course, is the tile mosaic "Imagine."
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Strawberry Fields and the Dakota
across the street (the place where John lived and was shot) is a powerful place...it's a sad place, and truthfully, to me, not a very optimistic place. I know it should be, but the thought of world peace is just...not a reality. I think for me, Strawberry Fields reminds me that I have to do my part to make a difference, but in the end, guys like Lennon will always find their way on the wrong end of a bullet. It's just the world we live in.
Strawberry Fields and the Dakota
across the street (the place where John lived and was shot) is a powerful place...it's a sad place, and truthfully, to me, not a very optimistic place. I know it should be, but the thought of world peace is just...not a reality. I think for me, Strawberry Fields reminds me that I have to do my part to make a difference, but in the end, guys like Lennon will always find their way on the wrong end of a bullet. It's just the world we live in. ..
From the Dakota we walk south, pass some amazing architecture, including that of 55 Central Park West, the movie home of the lovely Dana Barrett, played by Sigourney Weaver in "Ghostbusters." It was here that one of the best actors of all time, Rick Moranis, made his way up to the top to meet the Gatekeeper, and ultimately bring about the most dangerous villain New York City has seen since King Kong: the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. And yes, the church that Bill Murray declares "no one steps on a church in my town!" is right next door...with no massive footprint. .
We also will pass an apartment building that was the once home of James Dean, Marylin Monroe, Robert DeNiro, and Richard Dreyfuss. This particular building denied residency to Madonna because of her "reputation." Good ol' New York.
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On the south east end of Central Park we took the subway to 23rd St. at Broadway, which is the Flatiron district. The local landmark of the Flatiron district? The Flatiron Building of course.
On the south east end of Central Park we took the subway to 23rd St. at Broadway, which is the Flatiron district. The local landmark of the Flatiron district? The Flatiron Building of course. ..
This is a truly awesome sight...it seems fake, really. Here is a picture from this trip in the day, but check out a few posts earlier for a night time shot I grabbed. The sole light on the spine was the pefect timing for my photo.
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Across the street was a nice treat for me. It is Madison Square Park, the home of the former Madison Square Garden. Not the auditorium, however, just a Garden. This Park, though, has great historic significance. It was here in 1845 that the very first baseball game was played, with fellows like Abner Doubleday scribing the first set of rules. On a trip where we would see Yankee Stadium in it's final season, particularly the last game the Red Sox would ever fight their hated rivals, seeing Madison Square Park was quite the bonus.
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From the Park, we picked up our free Yankee tickets for Friday's game (courtesy of Derek Jeter, Matt Piro, and the rest of the gang at 24 Hour Fitness), and then headed toward the game, but not before making a brief stop at the 110th St. subway to see the famous "Tom's Restaurant" used as the diner for "Seinfeld." The Soup Nazi Kitchen, by the way, is down in between Columbus Circle (the southwest corner of Central Park) and TImes Square, but it is now defunct, so it's not much of a "site" anymore.
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On the way up on the subway (where we actually sat next to Darryl Strawberry, of NY Mets/LA Dodgers/Cocaine fame), we met a few first time Yankee Stadium visitors. Some from San Diego, some from England even, and upon arriving in the Bronx and joining the rest of the fans, it was just pure joyous chaos.
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161st St. is a bustling little street normally quiet from November to April (and when the Yankees are out of town in the summer), but on game days, it's the place to be. From bowling alleys to bars and sovenier shops, the place is hopping. It felt like the biggest party, as if it were a playoff game. And in some ways, it was. It was the playoffs for pride...a rivalry going back 100 years, the biggest rivalry in baseball. Though the Red Sox just won the previous two games, and in the last few years (including this one) have done much better than the Yankees, this is the game that mattered. 85 1/2 years ago the Yankees had their first game at Yankee Stadium, and guess who they played? The Red Sox. And who did they beat? The Red Sox. And who was their most hated rival for the next 85 years? The Red Sox. It would be sacrelige if they lost this final game against the Red Sox in their Cathedral. ..
But upon entering the belly of the old Stadium, you could really just feel the electicity in the air. As we sat in our seats (which were great, by the way, we were so stoked. Here you can see Eric "owning" the halls of Yankee Stadium only to be humbled in the picture below when in its presence sitting in its seats, taking in the nostalgic view), we were engulfed by the beautiful Bronx weather, and as we spied the big NY at home plate, the white iron arches in the outfield, and Ruthville in the right field bleachers, it brought you a bit closer to the beauty of baseball. You knew it would be a good day. ..
Somewhat early on, however, it wasn't looking good for the Yanks. The BoSox got 2 runs, and going into the bottom of the 7th it looked like this may be a hexxed day. Now, I'm no Yankee fan, trust me, but there is something about being at Yankee Stadium with Yankee fans in the final year, final game against the BoSox, and for some reason, you're just pulling for them. Up to the plate comes Jason Giambi, their DH. There's a man on first, second pitch to Giambi on its way...outta here! Deep center field, game tied 2-2, and the Staidum erupts!
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The game remains tied 2-2 into the top of the 9th. The Yanks put the BoSox down, and it goes into the bottom of the 9th to give the Bronx Bombers one more shot to take the game. A few batters in, the BoSox load up the bases with Yankees, making a base hit the only thing needed to win...
Who comes up to the plate? That's right, Jason Giambi, the 7th Inning hero. 2 strikes to Giambi and here comes the pitch.....base hit! Yankees win! Now, talk about an erupted Stadium!
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Now I gotta be totally honest. Again, I'm no Yankee fan, but all I really wanted to experience, mostly for Eric, was the post-win tradition at Yankee Stadium. After a "W," the PA proceeds to play Sinatra's "New York, New York," and everyone sings as if it's the National Anthem on the Fourth of July. They put it on loop and blare it back onto 161st St. as everyone is walking back to the subway. It's an amazing thing to experince, and a very unique moment in baseball culture. By the way, when they lose, they play Liza Minelli's version of "New York, New York," and believe me, I did NOT want to hear that.
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After the game, we headed back to the loft to drop off some things, and we headed down to Wall Street. At Wall Street, we cruised down to the Stock Exchange and sat on the steps of Federal Hall, the location where the General of the US Military during the Revolutionary War, George Washington, was sworn in as first President of the United States in 1789. A very mysterious place to be, to think of the George Washington taking a job offer to be president of a country that would change the face of the world, not to mention our own lives as Americans. Very amazing.
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From Federal Hall, we would walk down to the East River and walk up to the Brooklyn Bridge. This is always a favorite of mine for a few reasons. For one, it was built in the 1890's and is one of the most impressive structures I've ever seen. It's imposing, intimidating, and awe inspiring. In addition to that, it leads to Brooklyn, a place I'm not terribly familar with, as I spend most of my time in New York in Manhattan, but it was the home of my Los Angeles Dodgers before they became Californians. This was the town where racism was dealt a terrible blow in the world of sports. It was the home of a team who were just every day guys who loved to play the game, the Dodgers being the original "Boys of Summer." These were my Dodgers before the era of free agency and multi million dollar contracts. Now don't get me wrong, I love Manny, at least for these two months he'll be wearing Dodger Blue, but there is something so romantic and wonderful about the "good ol' days" of baseball, and I think Brooklyn epitomizes that. ..
After a little night time photo session and tasty good cigar down at the Brooklyn Bridge, we headed inland past City Hall, hopped in the ol' subway, and headed back up to the Flatiron District to meet up with Matt and Casey for a night cap at the Old Town Pub, an old Irish Pub in the heart of Manhattan. Good Guinness. ..
To finish off the night, we walked up 5th Ave., passed some high end shopping, and hopped on the train back to the loft. Day Two was finished.
To finish off the night, we walked up 5th Ave., passed some high end shopping, and hopped on the train back to the loft. Day Two was finished.
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The total per person for Day Two in Manhattan, including subway, $6 dogs and $6 sodas at Yankee Stadium (but not including baseball tickets), and buying Matt and Casey drinks at the Old Town Pub: $45 (take out the overpriced hot dogs at Yankee Stadium and you have $30. Take out buying drinks and you've now got $20. Boy this town is cheap!)
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Next Blog: Friday, Day THREE: Brooklyn, Financial District, Ground Zero, Staten Island, Yankee Game #2, Drive to Boston
