New York Lights

I saw an ad in the New York Times promoting special exhibits at the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City). I thought to myself, "I'd like to see that." And I asked myself, "Why not?" A check of our calendar found the first weekend of December open and a bonus: we could be in New York for Jim's birthday. With not a little research and decision-making we booked flights and a room November 29th until December 3. I picked a play and a dance performance ahead, but left most decisions to chance. Here's a brief look at what we did.

Not a great photo but documents us at this point in our lives.

We flew out of O'Hare mid-day. Perfect! Good weather, no lines at the airport, plenty of time to spare. Note to self: schedule flights mid-weekday. On the other end things were not so quick. We took a cab to Midtown Manhattan and arrived just as thousands of people were converging on Rockefeller Center for the tree lighting. I knew about the lighting, but I wasn't aware that it's also a big performance with bands and celebrities, etc. Short story: stuck in traffic; nice cab driver let us out a couple blocks from the hotel. We stayed at The Hotel at Times Square. Great location; walked everywhere! The hotel is not cheap; the room was fine (not deluxe) and included continental breakfast. I worked hard not to think about the cost.

 

We're at the theater just a couple hours after arrival. Whew!

The first night we avoided the crowds and checked out the TKTS booth. We got second row seats for John Leguisamo's one-man show Latin History for Morons. It was very funny although the content is tragic. Before the show we had a quick bite at Iguana NYC a restaurant and dance club next to the theater on 54th St. It was perfect!

After the show we walked down to Bryant Park to see skaters and Christmas shops. Too tired to appreciate much.

Christmas dinos welcome us to AMNH

The next day, Thursday, November 30th was Jim's birthday. The weather was mild. A trip to the American Museum of Natural History was his choice. We took a long walk through Central Park and past the John Lennon "Imagine" memorial. The museum had a special sensory exhibit, but it felt too "kid-proof" and we needed to weave our way around too many school children. Once we got into the other parts of the museum it was great. Information overload for me. The dinosaurs are spectacular. The birds need to be updated.

Chez Napolean was Jim's choice for dinner. John Leide took us there many, many years ago. We enjoyed a very proper French dinner and shared a bottle of wine. 

Crowds prevent most good shots at Rockefeller Center.

We strolled over to see the tree and skaters at Rockefeller Center. It will always be special because of the year I took Heather to New York to visit our friend Kathleen (Jim was in Antarctica). It must have been around 1977. It was my first time seeing the tree live and I swooned. Heather was completely indifferent. I think she was too young to appreciate the enormity of the tree and its iconic place in New York holiday lights.

Friday was Art Day starting with a long walk to the Guggenheim to see a special exhibit of Josef Albers in Mexico. His squares and patterns are based on some of the Mexican ruins and architecture of some of our favorite places in Mexico. It was fun to see his photos of traveling there in the 40s and 50s.  His car was parked right next to the ruins at Monte Alban!

 

Michelangelo's pillows. Looks like a good exercise to me!

Then to the MET. What a treat! The Michelangelo exhibit was huge and absolutely amazing. Sometimes it was hard to see the art through the people, but I was patient because for some of the drawings you have to be very close to see the detail. What a master! A second special show was Rodin. 

I of course searched out Camille Claudel his "assistant." What a tragedy that so much of her work was lost. And the final special exhibit was Hockney. OK, but I think a John Leide exhibit from the same period would be much more interesting. And then I cruised through my favorite impressionists seeking out the pastels.

The evening's event was the Alvin Ailey dance performance. It, too, was a nod to that early trip with Heather. Her love of dance started with an Alvin Ailey performance. This night three pieces were performed. The first was haunting, the second irritating, and the third Revelations, their classic piece. It started beautifully, but the end felt like a Broadway Musical that got people excited. So, I guess that's a mixed review from me.

The door to MOMATH!

Jim rides the square-wheeled tricycle at MOMATH.

Jim picked out MOMATH (the National Museum of Mathmatics). I was afraid it would be like the sensory exhibit at Natural History. But to my delight it was wonderful! First, we were there relatively early on a weekend, so not too many kids. We tried out as many experiments as we could. It was fun and challenging. From there we walked through Little Italy to Chinatown. I was surprised at how "shoppy" it is everywhere and CROWDED. 

We walked from Chinatown to the 9/ll Memorial. I felt very sad and somber and shocked at the party-like attitude of many visitors. "Say Cheese!" No, please don't.

We headed back to Midtown and dinner was at Chimichurri Grill an Argentinian restaurant. Very nice. They gave us a table without a reservation. I was desperate to sit down and eat before the theater.

Our final night's event was 20th Century Blues a play about 4 women who met in the 70s and meet annually and sit for a photo by the one who is a photographer. I loved the play, but it reminded me of Nancy (a close friend who died this fall) and her friends from college; some of whom have stayed friends all these years. At the end of the play when one woman doesn't come on the stage I burst into tears. As we talked later about the premise of the play it seems there are so many groups that could have those same interactions. They're not all best friends, but they support each other. It's book group. It's Yippy Skippy tennis pals. It's Spanish class that's morphed into friends. It's women talking about issues in our lives. I thought the play was very well done. See it if you get a chance.  

Check out those cats on Tiffany's walls!

Sunday was our final day with lunch at La Bonne Soupe; French again and a favorite. I always have the onion soup with wine and bread and salad and chocolate mousse for dessert. A walk in Central Park with a final look at the tree before a very easy trip home.

Overheard while checking out windows:"They're nailing it with the mannequins this year."

Had to visit the lions at the NY Public Library.
Merry Christmas!