Barely Sleeping in NYC

Street outside our hotel

There is so much that I will miss about New York City. I love the ability to get most places just by walking and the subway. I will miss the beautiful smell of the Plaza lobby - this light floral scent that is so fresh and unidentifiable - the coolness and aroma  that hit you as you come in from the hot humid streets. The beautiful mosaic floors everywhere. And the feeling of familiarity. It is a bit of a paradox, coming from such an unpopulated country, but NYC feels like Canada. My friend Rick who spends much time here, articulated it well: for Canadians  NYC feels like home. I was confused because I thought that it was just the homogenization of cultures that is occurring because of media and technology; but Rick is right - of all the american cities I've been to, this is closest to a Canadian feel, even Spokane feels more different.

Me at the Frick

My friend Valeria works at the Frick, an old mansion just off 5th avenue that houses a beautiful art collection. Mr. Frick a rich industrialist, had the mansion built with the idea that post-humous, it would be an art museum, show casing his collection. Valeria hosted Kyr and I on a tour of the amazing mansion and gave us many delightful inside stories of the art and the building. It was very interesting and manageable - meaning I didn't feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the exhibits. "Flaming June" is currently on loan there. She is quite beautiful. I fell in love with a statue of Diana the huntress and thought of my niece Pip and her love of archery. Kyr and I also aspired to turning parts of our back yard into a pebble scape- where we will take small rocks and cement them into a mosaic; the Frick's perimeter is surrounded by such a marvel. Kyr and I also discovered that we were quite entranced by 2 of Whistler's portraits. They were very dream-like.

Awaiting the Blue Men Show

Blue Men show

The show, a gift from my friend Leo, was very entertaining. Kyr and I were initially quite nervous because several rows of people were shrouded in clear plastic ponchos - doesn't give quite the comforting feeling. Despite being in the Mezzanine - at one point one of the Blue Men clamoured up the balcony and walked through the audience balancing delicately on the hand rests. 

Fountain outside our hotel

We walked down Madison Avenue on our way to the Met. Both Kyr and I sang happily "Right before Your Eyes". In fact the song accompanied us even through our tour of the Met. Luckily Melissa had given us advice on how to approach the overwhelming choices. On her advice we started with the American wing. The room arrangements were exceptionally lovely and interesting. After foritfying ourselves with a drink in the 2nd floor lounge we then diverged - Kyr took in the Asian exhibit while I lingered in the early 20th cent European art. Sadly my camera battery died just as I was happily finding new artists that I adored. Kyr came to the rescue.

We capped off the visit with an evening cocktail at the roof top bar. - Us and a huge portion of New York  - though barely any english was heard.

Kyr at the Met

Ancient girl in modern pose

Kyr's photo from the Roof top bar at the Met

Kyr living it up at the Met roof top Martini bar

 We met my friend Leo at Westbank Cafe on  49th for more festivities that morphed into walking through Times Square in the wee hours. I couldn't believe how like daylight it was. I said to Leo that it is like being up north in the land of the midnight sun - you have so much energy. He loved that. Since we had forgotten to eat supper we ended up eating at McDonalds at 3AM - quite the experience - very lively with young people parading around carefully pulling down their pants to expose just the right amount of underwear. Because apparently McD's is a place to see and be seen. Who knew?
We hot footed it all the way back to the Plaza - still engaged in fierce political debates with Leo, and collectively trying to help ameliorate the impending doom feeling - that somehow all societies are careening wildly to demise.

Frolic in Times Square

Midday light at 3 AM in Time Square

Crowds at 3AM

Back at the Plaza

We said a tearful farewell to our dear friend Leo at the doors to the Plaza. Happy to retire briefly before our morning attempt to cram in the Chelsea flea markets before our flight. I found it interesting that even 5 floors up you can hear the hum of the subway below - like a distant thunder. Eventually I found it comforting.

Opulence at the Plaza

The Weariness of exploring NYC

Plaza elevator

Post Chelsea Flea Market

I will miss my morning jaunt to Starbucks for morning teas, becoming quite a forceful pedestrian and even crossing against the light like native New Yorkers ( though admittedly only after stopping and checking a million times), and then getting back to the hotel room and trying desperately to motivate Kyr to get going....we must begin our day!

City of Surprises

Hot summer afternoon Central Park

 It is nice to be so close to Central Park. We start all of our journeys there and it is probably crucial to keeping me balanced in such a frenetic environment. Though I have to say I love the possibility that living in a big city seems to suggest - the next great or interesting thing is just potentially around the corner. I would be happy to wile my days away at different museums. If you felt antsy or lonely you could just think of somewhere interesting to go, a new restaurant etc, or just ride the subway and look at everyone ( surreptitiously of course!). I have finally discerned the thing above all else that might keep me from truly enjoy living in a city - and that is I find the human struggle too upsetting. Every person we pass that is trying to eek out a living, or even partially gainfully employed - I just think - how hard this must be. I wish I could accommodate all the Rickshaw drivers, the people offering carriage rides around the Park, tip all of the service people grandly. Life is hard for the majority of people and living in my little bubble in Nelson doesn't put it so squarely in my face. And then of course all the things I think would be marvellous to do require money, so then I would have to be one of those struggling to find employment, or even if I found it - probably wouldn't provide the standard of living that I've grown used to.... so all in all not a move I'm contemplating too quickly. Plus I'm pretty sure my dogs would really tire of city walking very quickly - they love the freedom they have to sniff nature smells.

Bucolic scene Central Park

Turtles of Central Park

Proud as punch outside Natural History Museum

We are trying to pack in a lot of sights but it is hard. I feel like most of my time is spent socializing - meeting facebook friends, old friends, siblings, nieces, you name it. It is a busy time. Plus these museums probably require multiple frequent visits to not feel so overwhelmed by info.

Diners at Rosemary's

We had a wonderful meal at Rosemary's but I felt very isolated as I was for sure the only one over 40 in a very crowded restaurant. I tried to feel younger to fit in.

The under 40 crowd at Rosemary's

Streets of Greenwich Village

Surprise gathering at Melissa's Plaza suite

Tuesday morning we got a phonecall from my sister Melissa - it was on the in house phone and she called to say they were both staying at the Plaza 10 floors above us in an elaborate suite. Kyr and I were very surprised as we had no idea. Then to make things more shocking I saw that she had received a facebook comment from an old friend of ours who just happened to be in New York. I hadn't seen Rick since Saskatoon when Kyr was 2. We all converged at the suite for a night of good cheer and great stories. Rick and his wife Donna are actors. Donna is currently in rehearsals for  The Sound of Music, which is about to go on tour. Rick regaled us with great stories of many of the productions he has been in and what life is like as an actor in North America. Despite being in many films and tv productions, Rick's heart is with theatre. I tried to promote Hart Hall as a marvellous venue to host some productions. Here is hoping.

Picnic with facebook friends

Kyr and I met a family of sisters with whom I am facebook friends. We had a picnic in the Chess and Checkers area of the Park. The sisters were very delightful and shared many stories of their lives growing up in New York and of their lives today.  Kyr and I enjoyed ourselves immensely and find it so marvellous to have found such interesting, lovely people from our days as Stuffies on the Estate of Hippoworth.

Moon over Broadway

Subway scene vignettes

Filming outside our hotel suite

It is time to get out into the chaos of the streets. I begin my day with navigating the crowds on the sidewalk to get our Starbuck beverages to fortify us. Back in the hotel room, we then gird up our loins and attack the day. We really are night owls and are enjoying the night life - wandering into pubs and walking the lively night streets in different neighbourhoods. Today we will attempt the Frick and then my friend Leo has bought us tickets to Blue Men.

New York City

Central Park

Staying in the Upper East Side across from the Park is both calming and nerve racking at the same time. Calming strolling around Central Park and seeing the Milk Building where in the 1800’s they used to serve children fresh milk on hot summer days and feel the cool breezes off the ponds. To be a New Yorker before airconditioning would be difficult, the humidity grips you and almost feels like an asthma attack. Nerve racking because it is an extremely pricey neighbourhood and walking around at night trying to source reasonably priced items is difficult and the smell of the garbage bags piled along the curbs awaiting pickup literally makes you gag.

The Plaza is nice but intimidating. I have never seen so many Burkas in one place – disconcerting for someone who never sees them. The elevators are microscopic – hard to imagine them ferrying all of the people up and down, but there is rarely a delay and you never see anyone. First 3 days our toilet was clogged – very hard to deal with. Finally I begged the maintenance guy to use a snake and explained my great observations of the toilet workings. Turns out it was a bar of soap. The toilet is in its own glassed off room – so definitely a deliberate manoeuvre. I guess it takes all kinds. I said to the maintenance guy – you must see it all – he just laughed manically. I imagine there is a certain horror seeing “all kinds “ amongst the obscenely rich. Just to make it clear – we are only staying at the Plaza on a very great rate. Outside of that the rates are prohibitive.

Ennui in Central Park

Our first day we wandered around Central Park and then on impulse decided to have Kyr's portrait done by a local sketch artist. He insisted it would take only 10 minutes. Kyr nearly expired holding his facial muscles still for  what we are sure was at least 45 minutes. But the results were amazing and gratifying. Despite being one of several being sketched, Kyr attracted the most attention. Several people stopped and took pictures of the scene and all young girls walking or biking by ground to a halt to watch.

The pleased artist

Waiting for the subway.

We were supposed to meet my friend Leo for the afternoon in Queens. Kyr and I were quite skilled once we actually found the subway station but for some reason we wandered aimlessly around 59th and 5th not able to find any subway entrance. We were getting panicky - as it was getting past our meeting time. Finally feeling foolish we found it right where the map said it was. I felt like the natives not able to see Columbus's ships because they were so out of our frame of reference. 

Leo, Natasha and Kyr  at Taverna Kyclades

Leo had arranged to meet us at a famous Greek restaurant. The food and company was amazing. It was surreal for both Leo and I having been friends on facebook for several years and finally meeting. For many years Leo thought I was an elderly man living on a trust fund because of my character Horace Hippoworth. Luckily Horace is a redeeming enough character that Leo still wanted to meet the person behind the story. We felt like we knew each other already - we felt like old friends. It was a delight to finally meet his partner Natasha. It was so heartwarming to watch from a distance people falling in love and then to finally witness it was gratifying. 

 Leo had taken the day off work to give is a grand tour of Queens from a native New Yorker. Kyr and I felt very honoured and really enjoyed the day. We spent time in a historic Czech beer gardens - telling stories and talking of the world and life. Then we strolled to the river and Leo pointed out all the places he has bicycled - New York is a cycling mecca. Almost enough to make the cowardly me rent a bike. Leo filled us in on some of the infrastructure stories of the city. I am fascinated by how so many people can live in such a tiny area - the equivalent of 1/3 the population of Canada lives in this metropolitan area. Imagine all of the things like providing water, sanitation. 

It was shocking sight to see the density of all the highrise buildings from a distance - all that humanity.

 Even though the border guards were somewhat taken aback when they asked their routine questions how do you know these people for whom we were taking gifts, and I answered "facebook", I can say with certainty that it is possible to meet the most delightful, thoughtful and kind people on facebook. Leo is proof.

Movie Vet

Dr. Dave Dempsey

I had the most tremendous luck today. The Veterinarian who is my mentor, and who is all that is wonderful in the profession, invited me to accompany him on a day of being a Movie/TV vet. The TV series is being filmed in the landscape that I have always considered the mecca - the Kananaskis. I didn't know the series (being completely TV illiterate), but I did know that it is critically well received and follows the settlement of the West by the railroad. It was by my estimation a well done production.  I was completely enamoured of the premise and found the filming very interesting. We were there to protect the horses. I haven't been around horses for years. But just being in close proximity made me yearn to have them in my life again.   For some reason one of the wagon horses took an incredible interest in David and put his muzzle and nostrils to Dave's hair as he walked by. Dave - so used to adoration by horses didn't even notice, but I did. The horses were brave and strong. The wrangler was very attentive to their well being. 

 It was amazing to watch them ford the river during the rivers' highest peak. Horses and riders were cautious and had all sorts of ways of navigating the strong current to assure the completion of task and safety of man and beast. The plot required the tipping of the wagon with the people and horses cast loose. Of course the horses just wanted to follow their human wrangler and get to the beach. The  stunt doubles were required to ride out the raging river to the satisfaction of the directors. This manoeuver  required multiple takes.

 I was amazed at the likeness of actors and stunt doubles, and of course while we were there (all horse scenes), the stunt doubles were the interesting ones. The perils in which they place themselves!!

 I've heard that movies are mostly standing around. It is true. The day was cold and wet and the standing around went on for hours, but you could keep yourself amused by just witnessing the personalities involved. The director was a very robust, large man in a grey hoody and shorts - depsite the weather being cold and torrential rains. ( I almost couldn't walk when we were finally done because the rain had dripped down from my jacket saturating my pants and made them completely inflexible, any leg movement pulled them down at the waist - it was horrific and cold). The assistant director was not in such a weird outfit for the weather and was unexplicabley jolly. The prop people were consumed with the whereabouts of a headband for the stunt double and how the revolver went missing when they fell in the river.

 The main actor was very handsome. I wish I had some understanding of the series before I witnessed the filming. I feel like I missed out on knowing how great and well received it is.  Despite physical hardships for the vets on site ( animals did way better than us), I enjoyed all aspects of the day and almost could see myself as a movie person. ( The intensity and purpose are quite addicting) But most of all it was wonderful to bask in the reflected light of my vet friend and imagine for a tiny time that I was as loved and respected as him.