What Else?

New York was an inexhaustible space, 

a labyrinth of endless steps, 

and no matter how far he walked, 

no matter how well he came to know its neighborhoods and streets, 

it always left him with the feeling of being lost.
~ Paul Auster, The New York Trilogy 

We did NOT rent inline skates at the park.

So, other than go to a concert (Martin Hayes Quartet - fabulous*), see a Broadway show (The Ferryman - too many "rabbit trails"**), hang out with the birds in Central Park, and walk the High Line, what did we do?

We ate decent diner food (but not much more than "okay") and had "a slice." We went to Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral (we actually went to light a couple of candles, but Mass was starting so we stayed).  We stopped in at an incredible old post office to mail a postcard. We missed the Union Square bird lady, but met another in Central Park. We took a few cabs (mostly bad experiences except the ride from and to the airport), rode the subway, and walked ourselves exhausted. We shopped our favorite bookstore, a favorite surplus store, and a famous fabric joint. We marched against breast cancer and we saw a bit of the Hispanic Day Parade. We took multiple photos of the Empire State Building because we were staying on a street with a perfect view. We listened to people on the street. We talked to people in the elevators (it makes people uncomfortable, but we enjoy it ***). We saw more police on the streets than almost any other visit to the city. 

If you go to the city, don't stay in your hotel - get out and explore. Plan a little. [I should have planned a little better.] Find a park or two - it's easy here.

We talked about never coming back (more than once) and then decided we would need to come back for the birding, if nothing else.

So, in no particular order:  

Raining on the way into town.

And on the way out of town.

I missed the Midtown Tunnel on the way in (asleep), but saw it going out.

Heading home - that's a lot of water.

I had never seen this before - a plaque for the first moving picture outside of Macy's.

The play - The Ferryman [IRA members begin lurking onstage before the audience is seated]**

The Strand Bookstore - is there a better one anywhere?

The Strand - just off Union Square - 18 miles of books.

Italian Ice! [There was ice cream in the park earlier]

Saint Patrick's

Hispanic Day Parade was very colorful and loud. It went right up 5th Avenue.

Have a slice!

They weren't lying.

The Farley Post Office

Our neighborhood from the top of the post office steps.

Inside the post office - a gorgeous place whose stamp machines worked!

Mood Fabric Store (of Project Runway fame) - with a Halloween themed front window.

It's a mad house. I almost cried over the denim display.

FELT!

Laces

DH wondered where the cannons went.

Okay, now check out the windows...

He did finally go in - and there was this jacket!

FREE SUBWAY READS!!!

Hey...it was the subway. All our other rides were PACKED.

We saw three buskers...all were pretty good. I liked the steelpan band the best.

Low ceiling Thursday night.

Two icons in one shot - Macy's and the Empire State. We are tourists after all.

Our home away from home and the ESB. [Later, DH asked me if I wanted to take more photos of it. I replied, "Don't you think I have enough?"]

NOTES:

*https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/martin-hayes-quartet-review-beguiling-new-angles-on-the-tradition-1.3265972 I t's like a short trip to Ireland.

** For a review of The Ferryman - https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/the-ferryman-review

***Upon seeing a father and young (maybe 9 or 10 year old) daughter arriving with luggage late in the evening we asked: Are you just getting here now? You must be tired.

Dad: We are. We just came in from Virginia. 

Us: So what are you doing in the city?

Dad: She's here for classes: dance, singing, and acting.

Us to daughter: Oh, what is your favorite? Or do you love it all?

Daughter: I love it all!

Us: Well, what is your first name?

Daughter: Ava

Us: Well, Ava. We will be watching for you.