Today I woke up before everyone else and did some writing. When everyone had got up I took them to Zabar’s for breakfast. It is a really famous Jewish deli that is well-known for its bagels and Reuben sandwiches. I had the Reuben Panini...it was DELICIOUS! It has corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese (which is different from swiss cheese in Australia, which I don’t like) and a Russian dressing. We sat in the deli to eat and watched as a lot of Hewish people (mostly older) came and went. It was really interesting listening to them in both English and other languages (Russian, etc).
We then found a cool little shop on the way back to the subway. I bought tweezers that have a figure painted on them and earphone splitters in the shape of a robot. Useful but trendy J
We all split up here. Ash and Emma headed to an art shop further North, Cassie went somewhere else and I made my way towards Central Park, passing the impressive Museum of Natural History on the way. It was my first visit and I didn’t really know what to expect. I kind of thought it wouldn’t be all that amazing and since I had been to the HUGE park in Dublin that had wild deer, and had one of the best days of my life there, I figured it would just be a nice walk. Well, it was totally awesome. It was teeming with pedestrians, cyclists and other forms of transportation. I just followed my nose and found myself walking along the lake. I even took a photo of myself which isn’t something I would normally do. The ducks were there...just like in Gossip Girl. However, you aren’t allowed to feed them like Blaire Waldorf does. Although, she is fairly full of herself and probably doesn’t care what the signs say... She is from the Upper East Side after all!
I gradually made my way south and found Strawberry Fields and the John Lennon Imagine Mosaic. There were a lot of people there. If there weren’t I probably would have busted out with my own rendition of the song. I then realised what the time was and that I only had 45 minutes until The Cherry Orchard started on East 13th Street. Better get a move on! I found a subway and caught a train to 42nd Street where I changed to an N train, this got me to Union Square where I was able to walk a couple of blocks to the theatre with 15 minutes to spare. The theatre was very intimate. Much smaller than La Boite even and designed as a thrust theatre (where the audience is on three sides). The stage was shrouded in a white see-through curtain that allowed the audience a clouded view of the stage. The lights dimmed and John Turturro (!) entered the space to take a seat. The curtains opened with the help of actors and the lights came up. The play was engaging and thoughtful. The actors were sublime. Along with Turturro was Diane Weist and other well-known and highly thought of actors. It was an honour to see them perform this classic Anton Chekov play. I discovered while I was at the theatre that they have been doing a Chekov season of this, The Seagull, The Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya. I would have loved to have seen more. They are also performing Brecht early next year. What I wouldn’t give to bring my drama classes here!
The audience was mostly made up of regular theatre goers. This was obvious because we knew where to laugh and the double meanings behind things. There was one group of younger people (I’m obviously putting myself in the “older” group with the 50+’s) that, at interval, were trying to figure out what was going on and who was related to whom. I felt fulfilled after watching the play and stood to applaud at the end. It was definitely deserved!
Not being ready to go straight back to the room, I went for a walk around the city and found a $10 long sleeve black top that I need for under clothes. I then got off at 96th St instead of going to 103rd. I wanted to walk around the area to get a better feel for where I was staying and see what was nearby. I stopped in at a deli on 102nd and Amsterdam to get a drink and some Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream. It had been such a warm day that I felt like I needed to take advantage of it! I also ordered a Greek salad. They didn’t know how to make one so I had to talk the guy through it (!). They were very friendly though and hopefully he will remember for the next person J
Finally, back at the room, I ate and watched Centre Stage. I felt the need since attending The Nutcracker last night. The movie is made about the American Ballet Academy and Company, which is at the Lincoln Centre and perform on the stage that we were at last night. It was great to see them all walking around where we were and see them on the stage and be able to put it into perspective. It’s going to be even more interesting now watching New York shows and films; I can picture the place and even figure out where some places are. I also know more about the areas and so have a different appreciation for the mood and feel of a show. It is like this with London after living there and it has really informed my world view and how I perceive places.
Tomorrow we are going to DIA: Beacon on a train along the Hudson. I am really looking forward to it and I’m sure I will have plenty to write about. Today I only wrote a page and a half, while most of my other posts are 3 to 5 pages long! Yikes! I feel like I have so much to write about here and wish that I could fully convey all that I am feeling, seeing and experiencing. Such a sensory overload.
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