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A Trip to New York City: Day 9*
Fri Dec 30 2005
Footmarks:
Harlem, The Schomburg Center, Harlem Tea Room, Guggenheim Museum, etc.


A Walk in Harlem with an Order form

A Trip to New York City: Day 9*_a0053919_21403359.jpgIt was really windy. I was walking up along Lenox Ave in Harlem.
My destination was The Schomburg Center where the museum of African American history and culture is.
I wasn't planning on visiting there. Initially, I wasn't going to go to Harlem except for the gospel tour and the nice tea room my teacher had recommended. I heard that that area was the most dangerous place in the city but, I also heard that the whole city has become much safer these days, even so, I thought that the safest course was to keep as far away from the area as possible.
However, when I went to Harlem Tea Room, the clerks were so kind to me and one of them encouraged me to go to the museum. She drew a map on the back of an order form and explained how to get to the museum and some other good sightseeing places in Harlem. So at last I decided to give it a try!

To tell the truth, although I didn't meet danger, I was so scared.
It was a fine Friday morning and there were a lot of people on the street. They were just hanging around. Some of them were talking, others were dancing to up-tempo music or selling CDs and DVDs on the street. Most of the people I saw were African Americans and I didn't see any Asian people. I heard someone say, "Is she Chinese?" and I said to myself, "Yes. I'm NOW a Chinese woman living in NYC, so don't get in my way!". I pretended to relax, and walked as confidently as I could. So when I entered the museum from the temporary entrance (the building was under construction), I was relieved.
They held a limited exhibit on Malcolm X. I'm ashamed to say I didn't know much about the great man. I saw a lot of pictures of him and of those days, and many letters for and from him. He knew how to learn both good and bad things, and he had love for his nation, his family and himself. Maybe because of this, he lived as he did.
I liked his neat handwriting.

A Trip to New York City: Day 9*_a0053919_21504543.jpgAfterwards, my fears had passed and I enjoyed the red-brick town on my way back from the museum. I stopped at The Harlem Tea Room to say thanks to the clerk and relax there. When I entered the cafe, the clerk recognized me and said, "Back again?" with a smile. I had a happy time eating rich chocolate cake and drinking dainty berry tea.


A Trip to New York City: Day 9*_a0053919_21374064.gifAfter that, I went to the Guggenheim Museum and savored the "looped" spiral by Frank Lloyd Wright and "peculiar" collections of Solomon R. Guggenheim.
I can't describe all of my experiences I had today! However, I didn't get any indigestion. The day was perfectly balanced by three wonderful places.
# by sasa_bobo | 2006-01-16 22:35 | New York City

A Trip to New York City: Day 8*
Thu Dec 29 2005
Footmarks:
Metropolitan Museum, (Upper East Side), Papaya king, MOMA, etc.


The Museum Day

A Trip to New York City: Day 8*_a0053919_19161751.jpg
I like the lack of humidity in NYC, especially on rainy days. When I was in a line for the coat check, The wet bottoms of my trousers were dragging along, but when I got my claim ticket and entered the museum, I was free from all nuisances. New Yorkers must know that clothes don't stay wet for long. I bet 40% of the people don't use umbrellas. Some of them were drenched, though... Take care.

Anyway, I was delighted by many kinds of art in the museums.
Seeing the famous drawings and sculptures directly, eyeing the different types of art I've never seen, feeling the quiet, luxurious atmosphere of the places, knowing the histories of great artists, etc.
However, I thought that the happiest thing was finding the art I liked best. I had a lot of happy moments. Sometimes, I was frozen in front of a drawing. At other times, I let my eyes roam around the four corners of a canvas. I also imagined what the artists were thinking as they drew each line. Museums stimulate my senses, expand my mind and pour fresh colors into my heart.

I'll try to make time and go to museums more after I go back to Japan.
# by sasa_bobo | 2006-01-14 22:58 | New York City

A Trip to New York City: Day 7
Wed Dec 28 2005
Footmarks:
Greenwich Village; Books of Wonder, John's pizzeria, The Union Square, Blue Man Group. The New York Public Library, St. Thomas Church, etc.


Cozy-Cool-Calm

A Trip to New York City: Day 7_a0053919_16441044.jpgWhen we bring children's books together in one place, they create a special environment irrespective of the scale. That is warm, affectionate and wondrous.
The children's bookstore "Books of wonder" has a clean cafe based on white at the corner inside of the store. The warm colored bookshelves and the white cafe made a really cozy space for children and Moms, of course for others, too. Because everyone had been a child once.

I went to a small but unique theater after I left the bookstore. I joined one of the coolest off-broadway shows: "Blue Man Group's show". 3 Blue men made exciting beats, artistic rhythms, comical movements and cool motions without speaking. I laughed a lot with a nice father and his cute daughter next to me, and whole of the audiences in the theater. We all enjoyed the performance together. What a cool entertainment it was!
You should join it!

On my way to hotel, I stopped at The Saint Thomas church in Midtown.
The 5th Ave got crowded immediately in this evening maybe because of the new year's eve close at hand. I barely walked.
When I looked up casually, I caught a piece of beautiful sculptures through the glazed door. I went up the stairs as if I was drawn. The calm place was completely cut off from the outside. The gentle rays lightened the marble saints in the semidarkness. I felt my heart and body were purified.

I found another three favorite places in NYC today.

Who is he?
# by sasa_bobo | 2006-01-13 22:34 | New York City

A Trip to New York City: Day 6
Tue Dec 27 2005
Footmarks:
The Cloisters, The Harlem Tea Room, Jewish museum, etc.


"Of the Other Worlds" in NYC

A Trip to New York City: Day 6_a0053919_1544024.jpgThe subway stations were getting darker, dirtier and older as the number of street increased. I got off the subway at 190St. and got away to the ground. Then, I found myself in a quiet, refreshing park.
The Cloisters stands on the hill in the Fort Tryon Park. The view of the Hudson river from the hill was amazing. I saw dark cliff on the other side of the river, and the broad, tranquil water reflected the clear blue sky after two days of rain.


A Trip to New York City: Day 6_a0053919_2374922.jpgThe Cloisters was the ultimate of the place.
When I saw the appearance, I was moved. I followed a black stone-paved road and reached the entrance.
I love all four cloisters and chapels of the museum. I felt that people had loved Jesus and Blessed Virgin for centuries. I was also overwhelmed by elaborate tapestries.
(Don't miss the doors which say "Please push". You can meet more pieces of work and wonderful views behind them!)

Even as the museum was full of sacred objects, I felt amiable air. Maybe because there was something loose...
Building an museum with his collections of PARTS OF CHAPELS is bold act, isn't it?

I came back to 113St. and went to The Harlem Tea Room. I felt same feeling as I was in the north end of Manhattan when I found the cafe at the corner of Harlem. The cafe was like another world too. It was comfortable and modern. The clerks were so kind hearted. The composed atmosphere seemed not to be in NYC.
I enjoyed a lemon tarte and green tea.
They all made me refresh.

More Cloisters!
# by sasa_bobo | 2006-01-12 23:49 | New York City

A Trip to New York City: Day 5*
Mon Dec 26 2005
Footmarks:
Ground Zero site, Trinity Church, Battery Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Time Warner Center, etc.


Cross-Grave-Suitcase

A Trip to New York City: Day 5*_a0053919_2264572.jpgThe cross was standing there.
It was made by rusty steel frames. The dark color seemed to represent a lot of heavy, deep, unbearable feelings people have. Ground Zero has started to recover.
In spite of the blanket of modern buildings, the feelings must remain in the "ground".

In contrast, the churchyard of Trinity Church was as calm as a millpond. The rain dyed gravestones darker, but they looked beautiful against the deep green of the grass.


A Trip to New York City: Day 5*_a0053919_302046.jpg
Some of the gravestones had crumbled and most of them were inclined at varying angles. However, the place had a calm atmosphere. It was because it's protected by a beautiful, solemn church. The people who rest in the graves are immigrants. They cut off their relationships with their countries and families, so the church buried them.


A Trip to New York City: Day 5*_a0053919_2375537.jpgWhen I saw the immigrants' suitcases at the Emigration Museum on Ellis island, I understood the firm resolutions of the immigrants. They decided to emigrate. It was totally different from making a trip. However, I felt at ease because I had seen the calm graveyard. I also knew that the immigrants had succeeded in making their place and history in this country at last.

What a strong thing the will to live is!
# by sasa_bobo | 2006-01-11 23:25 | New York City


Joy comes in the morning.

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