Oh my .... Manhattan drives me bonkers. Chaos, traffic, construction, people, noise, garbage, graffiti, whatnot. On any day half the people here are tourists. Stay home already.
How can so many live here? I know, I know, “I love the energy” everyone says. Screw the energy. Give me peace. Civility. Cleanliness.
I used to like it, the shops, museums, cafes, libraries. Am I getting old? Is this a city for young people?
Our friend said “be aware of your surroundings “. They come and punch you for no reason. Ok...I said. That’s nice. ? ?
Tomorrow is the auction and then we leave. Yeah!
GARTLER WRITING STUDIO
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
ROAD TRIP - Day 13: New York
Sea Cliff in Long Island offers the ideal cure for the chaos of big cities. We’re staying at our friend’s Elie’s house in this tranquil spot. I spent most of the day on the porch reading, napping, listening to the birds, relaxing among trees and plants.
Yesterday we drove from Williamstown where we spent the night after picking blueberries the day before. In the afternoon we took the LIRR to Manhattan and went to see “Fiddler on the roof” in Yiddish at the Safra Hall in Battery Park. Not easy getting there: from Penn Station we took the subway 1 but there was no 1 so we were told to take the 2 but it wasn’t quite right so we got off at Fulton and hailed a cab. Time was running out. The oldest cab driver in New York appeared baffled, didn’t know how to get there at first, finally arrived and stopped short of the entrance. I opened the door and got out but he decided to drive a bit more. I screamed. Cars behind us honked. I yelled, flipped a bird, but we were not late. One minute to spare.
Play was terrific. Longish. Entertaining. The return trip had no incidents.
Yesterday we drove from Williamstown where we spent the night after picking blueberries the day before. In the afternoon we took the LIRR to Manhattan and went to see “Fiddler on the roof” in Yiddish at the Safra Hall in Battery Park. Not easy getting there: from Penn Station we took the subway 1 but there was no 1 so we were told to take the 2 but it wasn’t quite right so we got off at Fulton and hailed a cab. Time was running out. The oldest cab driver in New York appeared baffled, didn’t know how to get there at first, finally arrived and stopped short of the entrance. I opened the door and got out but he decided to drive a bit more. I screamed. Cars behind us honked. I yelled, flipped a bird, but we were not late. One minute to spare.
Play was terrific. Longish. Entertaining. The return trip had no incidents.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
ROAD TRIP-Day 11: New Jersey
We just picked blueberries for half an hour in a scorching heat. Why? Because I absolutely adore them and David thought it’d be a great idea to come to South Jersey where blueberries “were born” after reading an article in the New York Times. In the meantime we’re staying at the Plum Tree Inn in Williamstown, in the middle of nowhere, kind of.
The last two days were spent in Cherry Hill/Philadelphia where David’s friend Marvin lives. Had dinner with him and his wife, went to the concert of Gershwin at the Mann Center. Also visited the Barnes Foundation following everyone’s advice. What a crazy place! Thousands of paintings and art objects piled on top of each other. Cloying. Too intense. Exhausting.
The humid heat makes it difficult for me to stroll. It irritates me. The sun burns stronger here.
Living out of a suitcase is not as bad as it sounds. Yet I miss my bed, my kitchen, friends. Good thing there is the internet to keep in touch.
The last two days were spent in Cherry Hill/Philadelphia where David’s friend Marvin lives. Had dinner with him and his wife, went to the concert of Gershwin at the Mann Center. Also visited the Barnes Foundation following everyone’s advice. What a crazy place! Thousands of paintings and art objects piled on top of each other. Cloying. Too intense. Exhausting.
The humid heat makes it difficult for me to stroll. It irritates me. The sun burns stronger here.
Living out of a suitcase is not as bad as it sounds. Yet I miss my bed, my kitchen, friends. Good thing there is the internet to keep in touch.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
ROAD TRIP : Day 8 - D.C.
It’s like any other city but with more power. Every other building is an embassy, a government agency, an organization of some kind. When we drive I like to guess the country by its flag. Streets are convoluted though, circles, zig zags, narrow, diagonal. Thankfully we have GPS or we’d be in Canada by now.
I couldn’t believe I was here Sunday when we arrived. Rain greeted us then and it has rained since but not continuously. Humidity is the word.
Museums visited so far: National Portrait Gallery, Holocaust Museum, African-American Museum. Strolled in Georgetown and the mall. The usual sights. More to come.
Our apartment is very comfortable. Nicely decorated. Good to be in a home instead of a hotel. Slow mornings with long breakfasts.
We had lunch with Betty near her residence. She’s doing well. Today we’ll see her again.
I finally figured out the relationship between Maryland and D. C. No small feat.
I couldn’t believe I was here Sunday when we arrived. Rain greeted us then and it has rained since but not continuously. Humidity is the word.
Museums visited so far: National Portrait Gallery, Holocaust Museum, African-American Museum. Strolled in Georgetown and the mall. The usual sights. More to come.
Our apartment is very comfortable. Nicely decorated. Good to be in a home instead of a hotel. Slow mornings with long breakfasts.
We had lunch with Betty near her residence. She’s doing well. Today we’ll see her again.
I finally figured out the relationship between Maryland and D. C. No small feat.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
ROAD TRIP: Day 4 - Fallingwater
From Pittsburgh to the Historic Summit Inn the road meanders, zig zags with sharp curves, hilly. I expected a bright resort but it turns out to be more of an old hotel, “dingy” David calls it. We have the last room in the corridor that leads to the parking lot. “ The Expedia room” proclaims David. We are surrounded by trees - pines, sycamores, thick with all manners of green.
Last night we stayed in for dinner because it rained, got chilly. My eggplant Parmesan was acceptable. David’s blackened tuna steak was better but the rolls appeared unbaked and “doughy”. I was looking forward to the pool but !alas! the weather did not collaborate. Rats!
This morning Fallingwater! Don’t miss it! Out of this world. Stupendous horizontals, jutting out into the landscape like floating in air. Windows and windows to gaze at water, vegetation. Everything is small, ala Wright’s height. (Photos to come.)
Tomorrow we drive to the nation’s capital.
Last night we stayed in for dinner because it rained, got chilly. My eggplant Parmesan was acceptable. David’s blackened tuna steak was better but the rolls appeared unbaked and “doughy”. I was looking forward to the pool but !alas! the weather did not collaborate. Rats!
This morning Fallingwater! Don’t miss it! Out of this world. Stupendous horizontals, jutting out into the landscape like floating in air. Windows and windows to gaze at water, vegetation. Everything is small, ala Wright’s height. (Photos to come.)
Tomorrow we drive to the nation’s capital.
Friday, July 20, 2018
ROAD TRIP Day 3 : Pittsburgh
Made it to Pittsburgh the same day. Wow! David drove and drove and didn’t get sleepy once.
Three rivers offer the city plenty of vistas, bridges, parks, plazas, and even fountains. Market Square, Andy Warhol Museum, The Strip, Heinz History Museum and many more landmarks allowed us to get a good idea of its vibrancy. The presence of iron and steel is ubiquitous. Lots of history here, history I didn’t know a lot about. Like the Underground Railroad, Rachel Carson, Roberto Clemente, Heinz and of course Carnegie and Mellon.
Last night we met a young woman from New York at dinner and conversed for a long time. It was pleasant to share drinks and supper with someone.
Warhol’s museum - filled 7 stories with his art. I enjoyed it, David not so much. The Strip district reminded us of the way the Randolph Street Market used to be. Becoming hip and trendy but still with plenty of fruit stalls, fish markets, and Stamoolis grocery store since 1909. The Greek presence everywhere.
One more item scratched off my bucket list. Today we bid farewell to the steel city and head south to Fallingwater.
Three rivers offer the city plenty of vistas, bridges, parks, plazas, and even fountains. Market Square, Andy Warhol Museum, The Strip, Heinz History Museum and many more landmarks allowed us to get a good idea of its vibrancy. The presence of iron and steel is ubiquitous. Lots of history here, history I didn’t know a lot about. Like the Underground Railroad, Rachel Carson, Roberto Clemente, Heinz and of course Carnegie and Mellon.
Last night we met a young woman from New York at dinner and conversed for a long time. It was pleasant to share drinks and supper with someone.
Warhol’s museum - filled 7 stories with his art. I enjoyed it, David not so much. The Strip district reminded us of the way the Randolph Street Market used to be. Becoming hip and trendy but still with plenty of fruit stalls, fish markets, and Stamoolis grocery store since 1909. The Greek presence everywhere.
One more item scratched off my bucket list. Today we bid farewell to the steel city and head south to Fallingwater.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
ROAD TRIP!!!
Tomorrow morning
we hoist our sails,
breathe deeply, and
hope for the best.
What will we encounter
in the unknown territories,
in the east of the land?
Questions keep me awake.
Certainly highways - dull of color
and empty of vistas. Perhaps
a rural road will offer fresh hues,
unusual fragrances, unique resonances.
I'll be sure to record them all.
Remembering is the best part of
a journey. Memories we take with us
and carry until the end, our end.
we hoist our sails,
breathe deeply, and
hope for the best.
What will we encounter
in the unknown territories,
in the east of the land?
Questions keep me awake.
Certainly highways - dull of color
and empty of vistas. Perhaps
a rural road will offer fresh hues,
unusual fragrances, unique resonances.
I'll be sure to record them all.
Remembering is the best part of
a journey. Memories we take with us
and carry until the end, our end.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)