I could see the large neoclassical building that housed the tomb rising up next to a massive cathedral. It was a lovely area with a wide walkway lined by large trees up to the tomb. Inside the tomb was beautiful with a dome and in four corners of the dome, there were relief carvings of greek figures that I'm sure represented some American ideals. Mosaics on three sides showed Grant in action of the Civil War. There also hung a large American flag used during the war.
I was told I needed to see in Riverside Cathedral, but it was closed for a wedding. I really think had I walked in past the visitor's station without inquiring, I would have been able to get up to the nave where I was particularly directed. The wedding hadn't started yet but I think it was starting within the hour. Of course, I had to ask about it, and then the security guard told me I couldn't go.
I walked down Broadway and stopped in Columbia University and over to a little chapel that Trudy had told me about. It was warm inside, but they had fans going. No pictures were allowed because it was a place for meditation and prayer, so that's what I spent a little bit of time doing as I sat in this gorgeous brick chapel. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to get out of the campus onto Amsterdam street, but I did and walked down to St. John the Divine Cathedral. Wow, that place is huge inside. I overheard the Statue of Liberty could fit in the front of the church. I walked around the chapels along the edges, those more smaller and more intimate.
After finishing there, I went to the Hungarian Pastry Shop for a Brie, Turkey, and Granny smith apple baguette and a cherry and cheese strudel (yummy!). On my way south toward Central Park I noticed the public housing authority on a few buildings, and while I felt completely safe, I did notice that the feel of the neighborhood was different.
I made a small detour to the apartment to drop my bags, charge my phone, and help with a small computer question. Around 2pm I finally made my way across to Central park and entering around 96th st. I walked along the baseball fields toward the conservatory. I love the mix of grass, trees, flowers and rock slabs jutting out of the earth and above treeline the skyscrapers of New York City rising up.
I was certainly feeling very tired by this point. I felt fine moving, but when I stopped for lengthier moments and my muscles and joints had time to cool down, I could feel it, but I kept trekking on because it was my last day, after all. It reminded me of my European adventure which by day three of that one every joint in my lower half was swollen and aching. I had to buy sometime of over the counter pain reliever. I certainly wasn't that sore this time around but that memory made me grateful.
The garden conservatory was very nice - obviously more manicured than the the rest of the park. It was circular in shape, but two walkways cut across the side lined with trees and ivy growing up the trunks. Benches were placed along the extent of the walkway on both sides. Several people were sitting in there reading books.
There was another circular garden area with a fountain of three girls holding hands, playing in the water. The beds of short purple flowering plants were cut to create a swirly design on the ground. There were four trellised entrances to this area as well. Opposite the conservatory was another even more charming pond with fountain, where there was a photographer and several wedding guests waiting for a bride and groom This would be the perfect picture spot.
Along the western side of circle were two large square areas raised up above the gardens attached by a wide veranda covered with vines and even more seats. Several artists were scattered around the area, which I came to find out was an abstract art class. Places like that makes me wish that I could draw or paint. The scenes are so lovely, but I have just to capture it in a camera.
I left there and headed down 5th Ave, stopping in at Ciao Bella cafe for a dark chocolate dolce latte (made by coffee and dark chocolate sorbet)...oh soo amazing. A most definite worthwhile stop and snack. I drank that on my way back to the Met, where I gave them another dollar (this time with a dirty look from the cashier) and went to find the Prada and Schiaparelli exhibit. Today the Met was packed.
I enjoy the fashion exhibit greatly, but decided that I would certainly take Schiaparelli clothing over most of the Prada. But then, the 1930's had such a grace and elegance about their design and lines. I took the elevator up to the rooftop where I enjoyed the tree line of Central Park as a border for the spectacular skyscrapers and taller buildings.
I left the Met for a final time through the Greek sculpture section (because I can't resist the graceful lines and beauty of it). I headed to the Turtle Pond, since I love both turtles and ponds. The park was full of life - people sunbathing, playing games, biking, jogging, walking dogs (walking cats...yes I did see a cat with a harness), carriage rides, and of course eating (there was a waffle stand which I knew Chris would have had to stop and try, but I was too full still from my drink.
The Turtle Pond was so pretty with flowers lining the banks and green plants of some sort growing across the top of the water. Belvedere Castle sat up above the lake on the opposing side adding an English countryside effect. Of course there was a couple there having their wedding pictures taken. I walked along a pier and at the end leaned over to watch lots of turtles swimming around the pond. They were so cute. I love watching their fat little legs swim through the water.
From there I walked father down to the Conservatory Water with the Hans Christian Anderson statue and miniature sailboats gliding atop the water. Farther down still, I heard music and saw they were having a festival, so I looked it up and it was Brasilfest. Feeling like the I knew the voice, having a love for latin sounds and rhythms, I looked up who was in the lineup and sure enough I was hearing the voice of Bebel Gilberto. I am not really that familiar with her work, but I did look up my one song of hers on my iPhone. It was nice to be serenaded along my walk (which again I was so glad to have my google maps on the iPhone that I could follow the pathways to where I wanted to go).
Just beyond the concert was a statue of Shakespeare. Here a woman was writing the word "tango" on both sides with some kind of powder. Soon tango music was playing and a few couples began to tango! I made it past the skating rink/carnival area and finally to the pond at the southeastern corner of the park which has the prettiest little bridge. The whole pond is lined by flowers. It was my favorite area.
I finally finished the park (and my feet were so tired). I came out by the Sherman statue who was being adorned by pigeons. Carriages lined up.
Getting ready to cross the busy street was yet another bride and groom. A few moments later on the area near the statue was a large party that looked like a quincenaera party. I did go across the street and into the Apple store (which is this huge below ground store with just a glass box above the ground with a circular glass staircase to descend and also a circular glass elevator. It is the prettiest Apple store I've ever seen, but I knew I needed to at least walk in for Chris.
I wanted to try to make it to Grand Central Station and the Public Library, so I simply continued down 5th Avenue for several more blocks. The amount of people out shopping after 6 pm on a Saturday is astounding. The streets were so crowded. Somewhere near St. Patricks Cathedral I bought a pretzel from a street vendor. At one point there were limos, but there was this fancy white limo that was atypical and it's horn honked a phrase of the song "Here Comes the Bride". Too funny.
I cut over to Grand Central Station and walked through, making sure to note their ceiling of constellations. It is the most beautiful station I have ever seen. I did see it the first time I was in New York, but we don't think the ceiling was finished then.
I cut back across and came up to the Library, which by this point was closed. It is an impressive building, but Bryant Park with it's cafes and white lights next door is charming. If I had time and was hungry, that would have been a nice cafe to sit and enjoy the setting sun. I was on my way to Penn Station to change my ticket to Philadelphia for the next morning though. Getting there, it was again hard to figure out where the entrance was. I saw Madison Square Garden and finally after going around the whole block came to the entrance I had exited just a few evenings prior. This time the streets were filled with people.
Having my new train ticket secured, I walked back up 8th (?) avenue a little while and then cut back over to Times Square. I couldn't miss it with the amount of light radiating from it. I could not hardly walk since the masses of people prevented any normal walking pace. It was definitely too crazy for this exhausted girl. I stopped into a Starbucks and bought a cheese and fruit bistro box. By 9:15 I decided to find the subway back to the apartment. It took me a half hour. I found I needed the red line, but every red line metro I descended in was the wrong one. Again, thank God for google and the internet on my phone, but my phone was quickly losing battery, so I would use it and then turn it off to save on battery. I eventually after rounding a few whole blocks found 50th St. line #1, which was what I needed.
I easily got on the subway and off at 103rd. I stopped at a little store and bought a bouquet of lilies for Meredith's mother who had show me such gracious hospitality. A few blocks and passing by several dogs walking their owners, I was back at the apartment, completely exhausted and sore. I still need to see if I can figure out how many miles I walked. Twenty blocks is supposed to equal a mile and I went from 115th approx down to 34th and back up to 104th but not in a straight line.
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