A Return to New York City

Once upon a time, I didn't have to travel to get to the Big Apple. Just a simple train ride on the Long Island Railroad from the Mineola station. Last week, the lady and I did travel back east from Colorado to see the family. Now that they've moved up to the Hudson Valley, we have the easier arrival at the Albany, NY airport than one of the Big 3 Metro airports (read: hell by air). But on Friday, January 4, we boarded the Amtrak in Rhinecliff on the 8:56 and headed down to Penn Station. The wife gently asked me to see the City "through my eyes." In other words, fresh, expecting eyes. She grew up in Syracuse and has not spent any appreciable time in Manhattan or any of New York City. Years ago, I became a bit negative about the hectic nature of the City, people on top of people, craziness abound, etc. So, I moved to Colorado. And this particular day, I said, yes - I will look at the place with a new outlook.

As so we walked out of Penn Station through the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden. Ahhhhh, the memories came rushing back. Except, what was this? Fun thoughts. Positive reminiscence. The Cult at the Felt Forum (1987-ish?), the NY Rangers' Stanley Cup, Dunkin Donuts (as always, better than Krispy Kreme), REAL NY slices........ Could it be? Perhaps, but only the day would tell.

We walked out onto 7th Ave. Ahhhhhh, the City. We headed for Macy's as we were both a bit famished and Veener could not comprehend the concept of an 8-story department store. The highlight of this was not the "stuff" - but the old wooden escalators. We rode all 8 stories down these old gems and then proceeded through the delightful "fragrance" section - I forgot the grandeur of the chandeliers lining the ceiling. Freakin' cool. Having had enough of consumerism for the morn, we headed out towards Herald Square. The rush of people was overrun by the delight of the cold January air. We walked through Bryant Park and over to The New York Public Library and its incredible entrance. Wow, I forgot how incredible that facility is. Marble galore, a grand third floor rotunda and reading room, and more nostalgia and beauty than is available in any building of recent times.

Next up, a walk down to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas Tree in daylight hours and the Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window Display. Very cool.

We headed over to St. Patrick's Cathedral. And even being a "recovering Catholic," this place is magnificent. It's a place to worship and for worshipping. Of course, in the days when the Church truly served a higher purpose, such structures were possible. To build this kind of architectural marvel in this current day and age in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world..... probably not so feasible anymore. Hopefully, places such as these will be preserved forever.

Now, over to the original thought on this sojourn: Serendipity 3. Unfortunately, there was an hour wait and we were starving. SO, we crossed the street and split a really freakin' good $22. calzone at Patsy's. Yummy. But there was still ice cream to be had, so back to Serendipity 3 we went. After 2 hot fudge sundaes serving the proper purpose of providing a much-anticipated tummyache, we set back towards Grand Central Station as our day was growing short. We headed over to catch a quick view of the south side of Central Park and to see the Rockefeller Center tree once more, this time in the dark. While skating was not to be had this fine day, it was nicely festive throughout the area. Then, over to Grand Central to catch a Metro North up to Poughkeepsie to finish out our day.

I'll tell ya - it was a delightful day in a phenomenal city. While I am not a city guy and certainly could never live there, there is something to be said about history; various reminders of culture and society long past (long gone?). But to be able to experience it in this modern age is something special. Will we be going back? Sure. But who knows when? Only time will tell.