New York City - The Big Apple
It certainly is big but we’re not too sure about the apple. Haven't seen any apple trees. Perhaps the elephant would be a better metaphor. Although both apples and elephants have to be eaten one bite at a time, and that is true of New York.
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Having spent 5 years in nearby Connecticut when she first immigrated to North America, Marie-Claire made many trips to NYC and got to know some of the city. Roger had only visited once before and stayed in Manhattan, a 24/7 experience of overwhelming noise and dirt.
But NYC has many faces and this time we chose to stay in the village of Williamsburg in the Borough of Brooklyn in New York City. While it is only one subway stop from Manhattan the difference of pace is like night and day. We stayed with Roger’s son Robert at Galapagos, a
performing arts space and bar that he created by converting part of an old mayonnaise factory, a short walk from the 7th Street stop on the L train. Check the web site highlighted above for excellent pictures of the space, programmes etc. Roger's pride in his son's accomplishments in community and business building is profound. In fact as Roger was posting this in a wireless cafe he got chatting with the owner who asked where he was from. One thing led to another and Roger mentioned that he was staying with his son at Galapagos. "You mean Robert is your son. He's my friend. Everyone knows Robert, he does good around here. " So Robert, Jayla of GO CAFE NY says hello.
Galagapos gave us easy access to all the lines of the subway system and put all of NYC at the tips of our toes. Living over two night clubs is a different experience after camping across the country. But then the view of Manhattan across the river is very different from the views in White Rock. Vive la difference!
Arriving on a Friday night after braving the New Jersey Turnpike and following our MapQuest instructions we totally unloaded the van so as to leave no temptation since it would be parked on the streets. Off to the opening of an Indonesian art show at a gallery recently opened under the elevated (El train) by Jill, one of Robert’s friends. All the excitement meant we needed an early evening and back at Galapagos we soon drifted off to a deep sleep to the muffled beat of a rock band. The next morning we drove into Greenwich Village in Manhattan with Robert for a very warm and welcoming brunch in the apartment of one of the members of the German mission at the UN and an eclectic, if select, mix from others. The afternoon we walked through Williamsburg to the Hasidic area.
On the outskirts we ran into this group of kids after we chastised them for chucking rocks at a squirrel. “But he started it – he scared us”, was their response to our admonition. They could tell from our accent that we weren’t Brooklyn natives and asked where we were from. The one with the smile actually knew that “the country north of the USA” is Canada. A+ to him.
This was the sabath so many people in the Hasidic community were strolling the streets after synagogue.
Some had apparently come in by bus before the official sunset on Friday.
Movies like White Men Can’t Jump have left us with the image of basketball games on every corner but this the only one we found.
Saturday night found us in Times Square in a 25 theatre cinema to see Babel a powerful and engrossing message about communication and bureaucracy run amok.
Sunday found us at another brunch with an engaging French couple in the film industry, Marie and Sebastien in their loft, and Robert’s best friend, filmmaker and editor, Donal O’Ceilleachair
The afternoon saw us in another Williamsburg loft to listen to a string quartet led/organized by a UBC grad Stephanie.
This was to be a final “dress rehearsal” before two concerts by the Momenta Quartet. A huge spread of food greeted us as we entered – seems like we’re always eating – is that part of New York?
Set with Manhattan as the backdrop, this afternoon was an epiphany for Roger, illustrating how civilized and rewarding life can be in the big elephant – if you take it one bite at a time.
Although the temperature in the loft dropped when the heaters were turned off this was a very warming experience and an outstanding performance.
Please check their web site, highlighted above.
NOTE: TO ENLARGE ANY PICTURE IN THIS POST OR IN ANY POST, IN INTERNET EXPLORER, LEFT CLICK ONCE ON THE PICTURE. TO RETURN TO THE POST LEFT CLICK ONCE ON "BACK" ARROW ON THE BROWSER.
Having spent 5 years in nearby Connecticut when she first immigrated to North America, Marie-Claire made many trips to NYC and got to know some of the city. Roger had only visited once before and stayed in Manhattan, a 24/7 experience of overwhelming noise and dirt.
But NYC has many faces and this time we chose to stay in the village of Williamsburg in the Borough of Brooklyn in New York City. While it is only one subway stop from Manhattan the difference of pace is like night and day. We stayed with Roger’s son Robert at Galapagos, a
performing arts space and bar that he created by converting part of an old mayonnaise factory, a short walk from the 7th Street stop on the L train. Check the web site highlighted above for excellent pictures of the space, programmes etc. Roger's pride in his son's accomplishments in community and business building is profound. In fact as Roger was posting this in a wireless cafe he got chatting with the owner who asked where he was from. One thing led to another and Roger mentioned that he was staying with his son at Galapagos. "You mean Robert is your son. He's my friend. Everyone knows Robert, he does good around here. " So Robert, Jayla of GO CAFE NY says hello.Galagapos gave us easy access to all the lines of the subway system and put all of NYC at the tips of our toes. Living over two night clubs is a different experience after camping across the country. But then the view of Manhattan across the river is very different from the views in White Rock. Vive la difference!
Arriving on a Friday night after braving the New Jersey Turnpike and following our MapQuest instructions we totally unloaded the van so as to leave no temptation since it would be parked on the streets. Off to the opening of an Indonesian art show at a gallery recently opened under the elevated (El train) by Jill, one of Robert’s friends. All the excitement meant we needed an early evening and back at Galapagos we soon drifted off to a deep sleep to the muffled beat of a rock band. The next morning we drove into Greenwich Village in Manhattan with Robert for a very warm and welcoming brunch in the apartment of one of the members of the German mission at the UN and an eclectic, if select, mix from others. The afternoon we walked through Williamsburg to the Hasidic area.
On the outskirts we ran into this group of kids after we chastised them for chucking rocks at a squirrel. “But he started it – he scared us”, was their response to our admonition. They could tell from our accent that we weren’t Brooklyn natives and asked where we were from. The one with the smile actually knew that “the country north of the USA” is Canada. A+ to him.
This was the sabath so many people in the Hasidic community were strolling the streets after synagogue.
Some had apparently come in by bus before the official sunset on Friday.
Movies like White Men Can’t Jump have left us with the image of basketball games on every corner but this the only one we found.
Saturday night found us in Times Square in a 25 theatre cinema to see Babel a powerful and engrossing message about communication and bureaucracy run amok.
Sunday found us at another brunch with an engaging French couple in the film industry, Marie and Sebastien in their loft, and Robert’s best friend, filmmaker and editor, Donal O’Ceilleachair
The afternoon saw us in another Williamsburg loft to listen to a string quartet led/organized by a UBC grad Stephanie.
This was to be a final “dress rehearsal” before two concerts by the Momenta Quartet. A huge spread of food greeted us as we entered – seems like we’re always eating – is that part of New York?
Set with Manhattan as the backdrop, this afternoon was an epiphany for Roger, illustrating how civilized and rewarding life can be in the big elephant – if you take it one bite at a time.Although the temperature in the loft dropped when the heaters were turned off this was a very warming experience and an outstanding performance.
Please check their web site, highlighted above.
posted by Retired and on the Move | 11:58 AM
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