Friday, January 28, 2011

In the City

'It's survival in the city....' I wonder if The Eagles might have been in the middle of a New York snow storm when they wrote that song lyric? Hubs had a meeting in the city this week and he asked me to tag along. Everyone knows when I say 'city' I am referring to 'the city' as in New York City, right? Moving on.

Did you know it's been snowing a lot here on the East Coast? Well it has. And we just can't seem to get away from it. It snowed almost two feet in Central Park while I was there. Do you know how many sidewalks and streets and crosswalks there are in NYC? There are many. Do you know how many people need to make their way along these sidewalks and streets and crosswalks on a daily basis? More than many. Its amazing you can get around at all but New Yorkers are nothing if not plucky and they do not let a little snow keep them down. Or in.

Hubs meeting was midtown in the Chelsea section of the city so we stayed there, actually not too far from the Empire State Building and the Fashion Institute of America. Tuesday night we decided we'd like to have Italian food for dinner and fyi- you pretty much cannot go wrong with Italian food in NYC. I consulted an app on my Ipad which is a restaurant finder. You enter your location and the type of food you want to eat and the distance you're willing to travel and it gives you restaurant names and details. I entered Italian restaurants within one mile of the hotel. It gave me 365 choices. I love this city.

Wednesday hubs had to skedaddle off to his meeting so I was on my own for the day. It was snowing so first thing I did was stay in my comfy hotel bed and sip coffee and read. What good is it staying in a hotel if you do not make full use of the amenities? I finally pulled myself together and walked about a block to a nearby coffee shop for more coffee and a freshly made bagel. Bagels are also something it is hard to get wrong in NYC. The snow was falling steadily but it was beautiful and I managed to hail a cab and ride it all the way to 89th and 5th. I've never been to The Guggenheim and it was a good day to be indoors.

The museum building itself was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is uber cool. You might recognize it if you've seen The International or Men in Black. They were in the process of installing something new so I couldn't go all the way to the top but essentially its a big spiral with artwork along the ramps and in special annexes off the ramps.



I could stand in front of The Hermitage at Pontoise by Pisarro all day...makes me long for a trip to the French countryside. Well, the French countryside on a sunny spring day anyway. Sigh.

After I left the museum I decided to walk for a bit. It was snowing steadily but it was nice. I walked about 40 blocks along Fifth Avenue, which runs parallel to the Park at that end. And by park you know I mean the park as in Central Park, right? Anyway, Central Park in the snow is stunning.


There were people walking dogs, sledding, cross country skiing, and of course there were still the usual crazies out for a run.


This girl looked like she needed a calorie laden four course meal but instead she was out for a run with bare ankles in the middle of a snowstorm.

I walked on past the zoo...


and continued down Fifth, past the lovely Plaza Hotel...


I strolled thru Tiffanys and admired the windows at Bergdorfs all decked out for Chinese New Year...


...then took a break inside Trump Tower. The Donald is over the top in many ways but this building is really beautiful. If you go all the way thru the lobby you'll come to an enormous atrium and it feels like you're sitting outside except its January and its snowing and you're warm and dry.


I ordered a salad from a little cafe in the back of the atrium called Obika, aka The Mozzarella Bar. They import mozzarella and prosciutto from Italy on a weekly basis and yum!

Why do I need so many words to tell a story? Good question. I don't know the answer but I just know that I do so I think I will tell you about my delicious dinner at Bobby Flay's restaurant in part two. Oh, and the snow. More snow. Lots of snow. Mustn't forget the snow.

Can we talk too much about the weather?
No we cannot.

And here ya go...you're welcome!

23 comments:

  1. Gorgeous pictures....the city is beautiful covered in snow don't ya think! Sounds like an awesome day! Next time I'm in NJ you are my tour guide!!Have a wonderful weekend!

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  2. Oh it sounds like you had a nice little getaway. My hubs work in the city so we hardly ever go in!

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  3. Sounds wonderful to me. All of it!

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  4. Isn't this the SIXTH snow? but whose counting!
    40 blocks...wow...I am impressed!
    Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
    andrea

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  5. WOW! 365 Italian restaurants w/in a mile. But which did you choose? I ate at Bobby Flay's spot in Vegas. Can't wait to go back.

    I love walking to enjoy the sites whenever I go to Chicago. It's surprising how much ground you cover. Your pics are wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a fabulous weekend. Blessings, SusanD

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  6. 365? My hips would surely be in trouble... but then again, the walking would help with that, right? ;) Hubs has some pretty crazy cell pictures from this week in 'the city', too. ;)

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  7. I love when you travel and share your stories and pictures. I may or may never see those places myself, but I sure enjoy seeing them through you! Thanks

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  8. I once walked in NYC in the snow and it was magical -- it changes the whole nature of the city!

    And coffee and a book in a luxurious bed that you don't have to make -- priceless!!

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  9. It seems like the east coast has gotten our normal Colorado weather this year. It is in the 60s here today. Your trip to the city sounds so wonderful, and the snow just adds an extra element of fun when you don't have a schedule to keep.

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  10. I love New York City anytime of the year...although it is truly beautiful in the winter. What a lovely trip.

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  11. I'm jealous. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE snow ... and long to visit NYC some day. Can't wait to read Part II.

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  12. NYC can make even snow look glamorous and enviable!

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  13. Okay...I'm jealous. Never BEEN to "the City" and we haven't seen a big snow-storm yet (that one can wait for years tho).
    Would like to visit sometime, but the time just hasn't came yet.

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  14. Whoa! SO jealous. I want to photograph the building AND Central Park. You lead such a fun life!

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  15. Love your pictures and thanks for sharing your trip with us. I felt like I took the trip with you. I've never been the The City but would love to go and now you have me wanting to go more than ever!

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  16. You need so many words because you tell a beautiful story with them. I love how you write. My posts must be boring for you to read, the words don't flow like yours do. Okay enough of that. I want to be where you are. I have a story coming up about Paris and when I was asked all I could think was why didn't he say New York! Sounds like a perfect time in NY even with the snow.

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  17. Your life is way more exciting than mine.
    Did hubs look like 007? I always thinks hubs looks like 007. :)
    I am going to have to get my husband into a suit, somehow!

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  18. Great pictures...can't wait to hear about dinner at Bobby Flay's.

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  19. Can I just say...I'm completely jealous...wish there was a little bookstore, Around The Corner you could pop into!!

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  20. Oh, that picture of Central Park in the snow is gorgeous! That reminds me of The Tavern on the Green, you must eat there sometime if you haven't before. I do love NYC, a great place to visit. Happy weekend!

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  21. Sounds like a wonderful day! (I might have to refrain from telling you how jealous I am of the 365 restaurants....) (remember how I told you I was going to the Big Cities with my hubby? Well, The Company decided they didn't like their earnings report [note I said earnings, not losses] and canceled his meetings. I am not happy. I had LIST of things to do there.) But I'm happy for YOU to be having an enjoyable time and a wonderful change of scenery!! :D I'll just live and dream through your stories!

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  22. I wondered if you were going to be totally on your own or if you had a friend in the city you would be hanging out with! Looks/sounds like a good time!

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  23. When Ed, Daniel and went to NYC we walked FOREVER along Central Park on 5th Avenue...only it was in August and very warm! :-) But we enjoyed it so much, still!
    I love reading about your adventures in the city, Joyce! Thanks so much for the pictures and sharing!

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