New York Moments #8
Well, you can't live this close to Washington, DC, and not go visit!
For my first visit, I decided to splurge and ensure that it would be a comfortable journey. Rather than taking the Chinatown bus ($20), staying at the Quaker residence ($40), and doing a self-guided tour (free), I chose instead to take the Amtrak train ($168), stay at the Hilton Garden Inn ($160), and take a two-day Grayline guided bus tour ($180 for two people). I don't regret the decision one bit - because my first experience with Washington was most enjoyable and absolutely painless.
An interior shot of the train. The train is spacious, comfortable, and smooth. In fact, it's so smooth that you won't even notice when it takes off. It smooth enough that you can walk around anytime you like, and they don't even have seatbelts! There's even a cafe car, where you can sit at tables and dine while the scenery rushes past, just like I always see in the movies.
This is the subway in Washington DC. All of the subway stations I entered looked like this - a concrete tunnel. The exit from this particular station (Dupont Circle) was particularly ominous, with loooong escalators. Thankfully, there were multiple escalators and people stood to the right, so you could actually walk up them. I usually feel like the odd one out because I actually walk up escalators.
Union Station. The Amtrak train, the subway station, and the tour bus all converged here, which was quite convenient!
First stop, U.S. Capitol. The two large square buildings on each side are the meeting houses for the Senate, and for the Congress. When the flags atop the buildings are flying, they are in session.
Inside the capitol, looking up at the dome. Needless to say, it is WAY up there. I wish I had a clearer shot of the mural in the center; it has George Washington sitting on a cloud with various figures. The figures on the side are 18 feet tall (which comes as a shock when you are actually standing down there looking up).
We had an amazing tour guide. He asked us early on where we were from, and invariably, whatever country someone said, he would speak to them for a minute in their own language. I'm talking Japan, Austria, India, Spain, etc. You could really see their faces light up, particulary the Japanese who promptly began bowing. He was also incredibly knowledgeable about American History, as you might expect, but what took me by surprise was a subtle way in which he displayed his patriotism. Whenever he talked about a court decision, he spoke of it as if it were a wonderful thing that they chose what they did. Surely he couldn't have agreed with all of the decisions as an individual, but as a patriot, you bet he did. That's what I call loyalty!
A poster which was on the wall in the Capitol. I tried to find a copy of this great shot, but had no luck.
WWII memorial.
The Washington Monument. Many people don't realize that it is named and was constructed for George Washington. What's interesting about it is that it changes color drastically at about 150 feet up. The reason for this is that construction was halted during the civil war, and resumed afterwards. Despite going back to the same quarry for stone, the builders couldn't find the same color marble. So they proceeded with a different color.
Unfortunately, it was a tad windy, but normally this would be the angle from which the Reflecting Pool aptly gets its name.
The guards don't seem to take too kindly to us chilling on the front lawn of the White House. ;)
At the Museum of American History, there was a podium with a teleprompter and video cameras, where you could pretend to give one of three famous presidential speeches. I chose "A Day Which Will Live in Infamy".
They had the real ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz. As it turns out, the original ones were silver slippers, but they turned them into ruby slippers for the movie so they could show off the magic of TechniColor.
An engraving at the Arlington Cemetary. Brought a tear to my eye.
This is where the "tomb of the unknowns" stands, as a monument to all of the soldiers who are unidentified from the various wars. It was centered around a single unknown soldier. Then DNA came and screwed it all up, now we know who this one soldier was, so now it's "tome of the unknown guy who we now know who he is but he is still a symbol for all unknowns".
Welcome to Mount Vernon! This was the highlight of my visit: George Washington's estate. I learned a lot about the man, and was very inspired by his rise from middle class to the pinnacle of society.
This photo talks about how he 677 overnight guests in one year. At one point towards the end of his life, he and Martha sat down to a dinner alone. He remarked how odd it felt--because they hadn't dined alone in twenty years!
The bowling green, looking out from the front of the Washington mansion.
Looking out of the back of the mansion. Beautiful...
Back in New York now, where the stickers and graffiti can be hilarious! In this case, someone stuck a sticker over Black's face, probably originally with some graffiti-style initials. Someone else peeled it off, leaving the backing. Finally, a third person came along and added the eyes. Little things like this are all around and always make me laugh.
Another one of those experiences which makes me beam with pride and think "I LOVE NEW YORK!". I walked down to Chelsea Market to get my lunch, as usual, only this time there was a school band inside playing some really great tunes. Everyone was smiling as they walked past.
A better shot of the crowd.
You really have to put a lot of effort into looking different. 8 million people bring together a lot of random styles. The guy in the middle of this photo caught my attention though - what rockin' hair!
Where can I get those PANTS?
An ad for Avenue Q, one of the three Broadway shows I've seen so far.
I went on a tour of Greenwood cemetary in Brooklyn heights. It's a HUGE, beautiful cemetary. That's the tour guide on the right. She has guided three of my tours, including the first one I went on upon arrival to the city. She remembered me, and introduced me as one of the Big Onion "groupies". Guilty.
DeWitt Clinton, the man who Clinton Castle and numerous other sites are named after. I can see why now after learning the history of his accomplishments. He's the man who put New York ahead of the rest of the then-budding East Coast cities with the building of the Erie Canal. Most people were naysayers of the idea, calling it "Clinton's ditch", but he knew better and he was right. Without the Erie Canal, where would New York be today?
The crypts and buildings at Greenwood are beautiful.
Inside that second building, where there was an exhibit in honor of the man who started and built up the ASPCA.
The original ASPCA logo took me a bit by surprise. Brutal!
You see the strangest things in NYC. This man was letting his dog eat snow peas off of the ground at the Farmer's Market. At first, I wanted to let him know that his dog was eating them, thinking he didn't know it, but then he reached down and handed the dog a fistful, saying "Have some more". Strange way to save money on dog food...
This is the Amtrak lobby at Pennsylvania Station (Penn station). When I think about it, Penn station is quite the hub! Three subway lines, two major railroads, and the largest bus station.
A beautiful sunny day west of Times Square. I can't believe how beautiful it's been here since I arrived. It's nice to actually get to enjoy weather because in NY you're outside every day.
In many places, the streets remind me of Mexico. The lines on the street don't mean much.
They had free lawn bowling lessons in Central Park. Unfortunately, Sarah, Tom and I missed it by an hour!
What great follow through the man in the center has! Notice he's in the EXACT same position as the previous photo?
See?
Sarah, Tom and I went to the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Wow, what a party! I've never seen so many Puerto Rican flags before. You can bet I'll never misidentify that flag again!
Everyone was wearing Red, White, and Blue for the parade. If you can see the red stoplight in the distance, that's how far back we had to stand from the street where the actual parade was going past. Apparently, people had been waiting since 6am that morning just so they could be up against the street when the parade started at 11am.
We eventually got a closer spot, where we were the ones at the front of a barricade which was about 30 feet from the street. You can see the float going past just below the traffic lights... We were proud of our "front third mezzanine" seats.
A shot of the parade as we crossed the street on our way home. 80 thousand people marched in the parade, and over 2 million people were spectators. Compare that to your last hometown parade...
A shot of the city from the center of Central Park. It's incredibly peaceful in this part of the park.
Tom didn't hesitate to take advantage of the peacefulness to sneak in a nap while Sarah and I were off talking.
Yes, that's the finger from a "We're #1" foam hand. And yes, the only reason the guy had it strapped to his dog was because he felt his dog was "number 1". Admit it, you'd do it too.
We visited Strawberry Fields, a memorial to John Lennon located in Central Park.
It was populated with a band playing pure John Lennon songs, as well as about two dozen lip-singing people. Notice the true specimen of a New Yorker in the center, holding out the microphone from his iPod in the face of the lead singer. In New York, you quickly learn to not care so much about what people think. You don't have the time.
Walking along near Columbus Circle, I had to take a shot of this beautiful building. I was coming back from a class called "Acting for Non-Actors". Essentially, it is a class in good storytelling, and was a lot of fun.
Now THAT'S what I call an apartment building (on the poster).
The soccer game was big news in New York. This is a shot of my coworkers chilling in front of two projector screens showing the game. I bet the management is still trying to figure out why sales dipped so much that day...
I shall soon be a resident New Yorker, with a driver's license to prove it! I was amazed at the "License X-press" center, where you could very quickly and comfortably swap your out-of-state license. The process was quick and painless.
You never know what you'll find at the Penington. One of our residents is a budding Film Director, and was filming a scene in our dining room when I walked in. The bright light at the top left was their lighting umbrella. Another resident is a dancer in the American Ballet Theater, "one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century". Unfortunately, our national chess master just moved away...
Yes, it can be dangerous to the safety of the customers to enter without a shirt...
One of the rare times that the Subway is lit by daylight. This is the N train, which goes over the east river, affording some beautiful views on the way to Brooklyn.
A community meeting regarding the building of a new arena in Brooklyn, to go along with the purchase of the New Jersey Nets. It makes me beam with pride to think about all the major teams which are based out of New York. We have the New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Knicks, New York Nets (coming soon), New York Islanders, and New York Rangers. Too bad I don't enjoy sports much.
More fun poster vandalism. There was a philosophical debate raging in the top right corner of it.
This gentleman couldn't stop preaching! He preached about how "they" allowed the holocaust, or how God allowed the holocaust, or something along those lines, during the entire train ride. He continued all the way up the stairs after the ride, and all the way down the hallway. He wasn't talking to anyone in particular.
Ever wonder what's below the grates in New York?
At least for many of them, there's a little shelf below them. It sits above the subway train waiting area, catching the rain and trash. Essentially, it's there for ventilation.
I love walking through the financial district. The streets are so incredibly narrow, next to buildings so incredibly tall...
You know what's funny? I bet these balconies increase the cost of the attached condos by a hundred thousand.
On my way down to see some corpses on display, I stumbled across the South Street Seaport. I say stumbled, because despite knowing that was where I was headed, I was not prepared for what I found there. It's a gorgeous, cobblestone-lined throwback to centuries past. I can't wait to go back and see the ship whose masts are poking up above the building in this photo. When I glanced at the map of the area, I saw numerous old ships which are on display, including steamships. Can't wait to go back, and I bet this will be a stop during my personal tour for guests who come in to town to visit.
No, this wasn't one of the bodies on display. He was sound asleep.
BODIES was incredible. They had real corpses, sent through a process where the muscles, bones, organs, and blood vessels can be preserved in such a way that they could be viewed as if they were made of plastic. There was a ton of information available to go along with the displays; it would be impossible to walk away from it without knowing more about the human body. At one point, they even had the entire respiratory system of a person on display - minus the rest of the body. They had sent it through a process by which the rest of the body was removed, without changing the shape of the respiratory system. Effectively, it was a bunch of blood vessels in the shape of a man. Incredible. At one spot, there was a body holding the hands of a skeleton with both of them leaning back, like two children playing ring around the rosy. After reading the description, it turns out that the skeleton came OUT of the body. Sure enough, if you looked closely, it was only the muscles frozen in time, holding the skeleton. Wild stuff. Where else can you see so many varied and amazing things like this?
Have I mentioned that I love New York?
For my first visit, I decided to splurge and ensure that it would be a comfortable journey. Rather than taking the Chinatown bus ($20), staying at the Quaker residence ($40), and doing a self-guided tour (free), I chose instead to take the Amtrak train ($168), stay at the Hilton Garden Inn ($160), and take a two-day Grayline guided bus tour ($180 for two people). I don't regret the decision one bit - because my first experience with Washington was most enjoyable and absolutely painless.
An interior shot of the train. The train is spacious, comfortable, and smooth. In fact, it's so smooth that you won't even notice when it takes off. It smooth enough that you can walk around anytime you like, and they don't even have seatbelts! There's even a cafe car, where you can sit at tables and dine while the scenery rushes past, just like I always see in the movies.
This is the subway in Washington DC. All of the subway stations I entered looked like this - a concrete tunnel. The exit from this particular station (Dupont Circle) was particularly ominous, with loooong escalators. Thankfully, there were multiple escalators and people stood to the right, so you could actually walk up them. I usually feel like the odd one out because I actually walk up escalators.
Union Station. The Amtrak train, the subway station, and the tour bus all converged here, which was quite convenient!
First stop, U.S. Capitol. The two large square buildings on each side are the meeting houses for the Senate, and for the Congress. When the flags atop the buildings are flying, they are in session.
Inside the capitol, looking up at the dome. Needless to say, it is WAY up there. I wish I had a clearer shot of the mural in the center; it has George Washington sitting on a cloud with various figures. The figures on the side are 18 feet tall (which comes as a shock when you are actually standing down there looking up).
We had an amazing tour guide. He asked us early on where we were from, and invariably, whatever country someone said, he would speak to them for a minute in their own language. I'm talking Japan, Austria, India, Spain, etc. You could really see their faces light up, particulary the Japanese who promptly began bowing. He was also incredibly knowledgeable about American History, as you might expect, but what took me by surprise was a subtle way in which he displayed his patriotism. Whenever he talked about a court decision, he spoke of it as if it were a wonderful thing that they chose what they did. Surely he couldn't have agreed with all of the decisions as an individual, but as a patriot, you bet he did. That's what I call loyalty!
A poster which was on the wall in the Capitol. I tried to find a copy of this great shot, but had no luck.
WWII memorial.
The Washington Monument. Many people don't realize that it is named and was constructed for George Washington. What's interesting about it is that it changes color drastically at about 150 feet up. The reason for this is that construction was halted during the civil war, and resumed afterwards. Despite going back to the same quarry for stone, the builders couldn't find the same color marble. So they proceeded with a different color.
Unfortunately, it was a tad windy, but normally this would be the angle from which the Reflecting Pool aptly gets its name.
The guards don't seem to take too kindly to us chilling on the front lawn of the White House. ;)
At the Museum of American History, there was a podium with a teleprompter and video cameras, where you could pretend to give one of three famous presidential speeches. I chose "A Day Which Will Live in Infamy".
They had the real ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz. As it turns out, the original ones were silver slippers, but they turned them into ruby slippers for the movie so they could show off the magic of TechniColor.
An engraving at the Arlington Cemetary. Brought a tear to my eye.
This is where the "tomb of the unknowns" stands, as a monument to all of the soldiers who are unidentified from the various wars. It was centered around a single unknown soldier. Then DNA came and screwed it all up, now we know who this one soldier was, so now it's "tome of the unknown guy who we now know who he is but he is still a symbol for all unknowns".
Welcome to Mount Vernon! This was the highlight of my visit: George Washington's estate. I learned a lot about the man, and was very inspired by his rise from middle class to the pinnacle of society.
This photo talks about how he 677 overnight guests in one year. At one point towards the end of his life, he and Martha sat down to a dinner alone. He remarked how odd it felt--because they hadn't dined alone in twenty years!
The bowling green, looking out from the front of the Washington mansion.
Looking out of the back of the mansion. Beautiful...
Back in New York now, where the stickers and graffiti can be hilarious! In this case, someone stuck a sticker over Black's face, probably originally with some graffiti-style initials. Someone else peeled it off, leaving the backing. Finally, a third person came along and added the eyes. Little things like this are all around and always make me laugh.
Another one of those experiences which makes me beam with pride and think "I LOVE NEW YORK!". I walked down to Chelsea Market to get my lunch, as usual, only this time there was a school band inside playing some really great tunes. Everyone was smiling as they walked past.
A better shot of the crowd.
You really have to put a lot of effort into looking different. 8 million people bring together a lot of random styles. The guy in the middle of this photo caught my attention though - what rockin' hair!
Where can I get those PANTS?
An ad for Avenue Q, one of the three Broadway shows I've seen so far.
I went on a tour of Greenwood cemetary in Brooklyn heights. It's a HUGE, beautiful cemetary. That's the tour guide on the right. She has guided three of my tours, including the first one I went on upon arrival to the city. She remembered me, and introduced me as one of the Big Onion "groupies". Guilty.
DeWitt Clinton, the man who Clinton Castle and numerous other sites are named after. I can see why now after learning the history of his accomplishments. He's the man who put New York ahead of the rest of the then-budding East Coast cities with the building of the Erie Canal. Most people were naysayers of the idea, calling it "Clinton's ditch", but he knew better and he was right. Without the Erie Canal, where would New York be today?
The crypts and buildings at Greenwood are beautiful.
Inside that second building, where there was an exhibit in honor of the man who started and built up the ASPCA.
The original ASPCA logo took me a bit by surprise. Brutal!
You see the strangest things in NYC. This man was letting his dog eat snow peas off of the ground at the Farmer's Market. At first, I wanted to let him know that his dog was eating them, thinking he didn't know it, but then he reached down and handed the dog a fistful, saying "Have some more". Strange way to save money on dog food...
This is the Amtrak lobby at Pennsylvania Station (Penn station). When I think about it, Penn station is quite the hub! Three subway lines, two major railroads, and the largest bus station.
A beautiful sunny day west of Times Square. I can't believe how beautiful it's been here since I arrived. It's nice to actually get to enjoy weather because in NY you're outside every day.
In many places, the streets remind me of Mexico. The lines on the street don't mean much.
They had free lawn bowling lessons in Central Park. Unfortunately, Sarah, Tom and I missed it by an hour!
What great follow through the man in the center has! Notice he's in the EXACT same position as the previous photo?
See?
Sarah, Tom and I went to the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Wow, what a party! I've never seen so many Puerto Rican flags before. You can bet I'll never misidentify that flag again!
Everyone was wearing Red, White, and Blue for the parade. If you can see the red stoplight in the distance, that's how far back we had to stand from the street where the actual parade was going past. Apparently, people had been waiting since 6am that morning just so they could be up against the street when the parade started at 11am.
We eventually got a closer spot, where we were the ones at the front of a barricade which was about 30 feet from the street. You can see the float going past just below the traffic lights... We were proud of our "front third mezzanine" seats.
A shot of the parade as we crossed the street on our way home. 80 thousand people marched in the parade, and over 2 million people were spectators. Compare that to your last hometown parade...
A shot of the city from the center of Central Park. It's incredibly peaceful in this part of the park.
Tom didn't hesitate to take advantage of the peacefulness to sneak in a nap while Sarah and I were off talking.
Yes, that's the finger from a "We're #1" foam hand. And yes, the only reason the guy had it strapped to his dog was because he felt his dog was "number 1". Admit it, you'd do it too.
We visited Strawberry Fields, a memorial to John Lennon located in Central Park.
It was populated with a band playing pure John Lennon songs, as well as about two dozen lip-singing people. Notice the true specimen of a New Yorker in the center, holding out the microphone from his iPod in the face of the lead singer. In New York, you quickly learn to not care so much about what people think. You don't have the time.
Walking along near Columbus Circle, I had to take a shot of this beautiful building. I was coming back from a class called "Acting for Non-Actors". Essentially, it is a class in good storytelling, and was a lot of fun.
Now THAT'S what I call an apartment building (on the poster).
The soccer game was big news in New York. This is a shot of my coworkers chilling in front of two projector screens showing the game. I bet the management is still trying to figure out why sales dipped so much that day...
I shall soon be a resident New Yorker, with a driver's license to prove it! I was amazed at the "License X-press" center, where you could very quickly and comfortably swap your out-of-state license. The process was quick and painless.
You never know what you'll find at the Penington. One of our residents is a budding Film Director, and was filming a scene in our dining room when I walked in. The bright light at the top left was their lighting umbrella. Another resident is a dancer in the American Ballet Theater, "one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century". Unfortunately, our national chess master just moved away...
Yes, it can be dangerous to the safety of the customers to enter without a shirt...
One of the rare times that the Subway is lit by daylight. This is the N train, which goes over the east river, affording some beautiful views on the way to Brooklyn.
A community meeting regarding the building of a new arena in Brooklyn, to go along with the purchase of the New Jersey Nets. It makes me beam with pride to think about all the major teams which are based out of New York. We have the New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Knicks, New York Nets (coming soon), New York Islanders, and New York Rangers. Too bad I don't enjoy sports much.
More fun poster vandalism. There was a philosophical debate raging in the top right corner of it.
This gentleman couldn't stop preaching! He preached about how "they" allowed the holocaust, or how God allowed the holocaust, or something along those lines, during the entire train ride. He continued all the way up the stairs after the ride, and all the way down the hallway. He wasn't talking to anyone in particular.
Ever wonder what's below the grates in New York?
At least for many of them, there's a little shelf below them. It sits above the subway train waiting area, catching the rain and trash. Essentially, it's there for ventilation.
I love walking through the financial district. The streets are so incredibly narrow, next to buildings so incredibly tall...
You know what's funny? I bet these balconies increase the cost of the attached condos by a hundred thousand.
On my way down to see some corpses on display, I stumbled across the South Street Seaport. I say stumbled, because despite knowing that was where I was headed, I was not prepared for what I found there. It's a gorgeous, cobblestone-lined throwback to centuries past. I can't wait to go back and see the ship whose masts are poking up above the building in this photo. When I glanced at the map of the area, I saw numerous old ships which are on display, including steamships. Can't wait to go back, and I bet this will be a stop during my personal tour for guests who come in to town to visit.
No, this wasn't one of the bodies on display. He was sound asleep.
BODIES was incredible. They had real corpses, sent through a process where the muscles, bones, organs, and blood vessels can be preserved in such a way that they could be viewed as if they were made of plastic. There was a ton of information available to go along with the displays; it would be impossible to walk away from it without knowing more about the human body. At one point, they even had the entire respiratory system of a person on display - minus the rest of the body. They had sent it through a process by which the rest of the body was removed, without changing the shape of the respiratory system. Effectively, it was a bunch of blood vessels in the shape of a man. Incredible. At one spot, there was a body holding the hands of a skeleton with both of them leaning back, like two children playing ring around the rosy. After reading the description, it turns out that the skeleton came OUT of the body. Sure enough, if you looked closely, it was only the muscles frozen in time, holding the skeleton. Wild stuff. Where else can you see so many varied and amazing things like this?
Have I mentioned that I love New York?
posted by Severisth at 12:29 PM
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