Day 6
Friday. January 13, 2023
The early morning view from my room.
Note the leaden sky. All the forecasts called for spradic rain throughout the day and clearing late. With that in mind, I left the big camera in the room and just ventured out with the phone. I didn't get much more that a sporadic splattering through the day. But, I still think it was the right decision.
On my last visit to the city, a new park was being built along the Hudson River. It's since opened. That was my goal for the day. Of course, I took the scenic route and revisited the High Line. The section north of Hudson Yards is currently closed for some upgrades.
On the left is a piece of art called "Windy." It's by Moroccan artist Meriem Bennani. It's two hundred pieces of black foam that spin at random speeds.
The grassy area is roped off for a reason. Various flowering plants have been added that should bloom for the first time this spring.
The view from above. While intrigued, I'm not so sure about the concept of Artichoke Pizza.
During the course of its one year here(closing in March) masks representing six different people were chosen to cover Lady Liberty's face. This is the face of Forbah. He was forced to flee Cameroon in 2017, flew to Ecuador and made the journey north to the United States. He crossed the border in 2018 and lingered in detention centers for a year until being granted asylum. You can watch a short video of his story here:
The second entrance is the former Pier 54.
When I visited the city fifteeen years ago, you could still read the faint White Star on the entrance. While the RMS Titanic was to large to dock here, White Star and Cunard ship lines routinely used this pier. It's other claim to fame, this is where the RMS Lusitania set sail on her ill fated voyage.
The original plan was to start building the new park in 2014. After lawsuits and funding issues, construction finally began in 2019. Designed by Heatherwick Studios, the project would eventually cost $260 million. Private donations would cover over half, with the city and state covering the rest.
I still had some time to kill before lunch, so I simply started walking inland, passing through the old meatpacking district. Times have certainly changed.
A quick Google search for "coffee near me" brought me to Kobrick's Coffee.
Outside are some public art pieces by Theresa Rivera. She calls it "Lights on the Cobbles."
These started popping up on street corners...
The web address diverts you to a company that sells shoe inserts.
In Abington Square Park sits a statue dedicated to the soldiers who fought in WWI. Dedicated in 1921, the plaque refers to it as "The World War."
With all the independent breweries popping up all over, it's surprising how few there are in New York City itself. That didn't stop me from tracking a few down. Lunch was in the Torch and Crown Brewing Company.
Because as the coasters say...
On Google Maps, there was someplace that seemed interesting. The idea of reflecting pools took me to Collect Pond Park. It never ocurred to me they could be dry for the winter. In hindsight, it makes perfect since they'd most likely be frozen over.
Not really sure what to make of this one...
The threat of rain was long over, and the sky a little less gray. With plenty of time before dark, I decided to walk to Brooklyn. I've done the Brooklyn Bridge out, Manhattan Bridge back quite a few times and enjoyed it. Of course, I had to get through the crowd, the souvenir vendors and something new. There were a few places you could get a 360 degree photo. Imagine standing on a small platform. A camera quickly spins around you to make the photo. Interesting ideas, but it does take up a lot of walkway space.
When visiting New York, it's fairly common to see musicians performing in public. This was the first time encountering a random DJ.
Once in Brooklyn, I worked my way through some neighborhoods towards the river...
The Manhattan Bridge...
The plan was to time sunset from the bridge. Unfortunately, I mistimed the light show. At this point, it looked like sunset would be a bust.
Yeah, I know. I should have turned around and started walking back...
No comments:
Post a Comment