Flying to the east coast is like any long trip, somewhat unpredictable. This years flight (on World Air) is remarkably smooth and uneventful. The plane is half-full and we land at Newark about 20 minutes early. The first sight of the Manhattan skyline is always exciting, but fog and dirty bus windows hide the towers of metropolis.
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The Port Authority bus terminal is very modern and clean, giving little hint of the city it serves. There is a wonderful kinetic sculpture with some billiard balls flying around playing gongs inside a huge box. I think the artist is Robert Reardon (correct me if I'm wrong). We hit the street right at 5:00 rush hour in a cold drizzle, and carrying a big suitcase between us we walk uptown along 8th avenue to my parents apartment at 62nd. I am struck hard by the broad ethnic diversity and human vitality of the city . After 8 hours of travelling the walk feels good despite the weather.
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After a good sleep and NY breakfast (bagels and lox, of course), we attack the Metropolitan Museum. We spend most of the afternoon in the impressionist room. There are more benches here, and I am able to sit and immerse myself in the treasures around me. The paintings seem to change as I look and some are completely different from various distances (Manet in particular). There is also an incredible exhibition of pianos right next door. They have the very first known piano as well as the three first Steinways, Beethoven's piano and both of Mozart's. On the way out I discovered the photographic exhibit including the giant Polaroid prints (they were at least >THIS< big!
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We meet with an old friend of mine for dinner, and he introduces us to the new yuppie strip on Columbus Ave. between 65th and 79th or so. This area of twenties brownstones is undergoing gentrification (NY buzzword these days) and is full of groovy restaurants and boutiques for the local nouveau. The food is slightly cheaper than midtown, the drinks more expensive if anything, and the waiters are rude (short of a c-note tab). New York street food is >still< the best anywhere though and over the next few days I feast on some great Souvlaki, Calzone, roasted chestnuts, chinese salad bars and West Indian curried meat patties. Even the pizza tastes better; must be the sauce.
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I figure the first two days I must have walked about 20 miles, but being a former native, I brought my high-tops and leather coat, so the old gams are only a bit weary <gloat>. I feel myself falling quickly into New York mannerisms <hunch shoulders, walk fast, keep the eyes moving> and I feel secure if not at home on the street. Wadyawan?Gyronacokenoonions.Twotwenny.
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