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the hudson river towns

Yesterday a friend and I took the Metro-North Hudson Line at Grand Central. Garrison, NY was the destination to check out rental possibilities. We asked the conductor if he knew of Garrison. He said, “There’s lots of trees there.” That didn’t help much. However, a stranger sitting across from us with a love of the Hudson River towns picked up on our conversation with the conductor. She began telling us a little about the history of Peekskill, Garrison, Cold Spring www.coldspring.com , and Beacon www.escapemaker.com/ny/beacon/beacon.html . She said that since 9/11 more and more people have moved to the river towns. There’s a lot of creativity, many artists live there, and new galleries are opening up all the time. And she said that she’s been thinking of selling her Manhattan apartment and moving to Beacon and then traveling. I always perk up when I hear the word travel. It’s a magic word to me. You, too?

The stranger’s name is Mary. And Mary with a delightful way about her, gave us a new way of looking at the river towns. She was on her cell phone for awhile; I didn’t know she was gathering more information until she handed me a card with names to call if Garrison was the place of choice. Nice! As we continued to talk about the towns, the day’s itinerary got shifted. Garrison, it was noted by Mary and the conductor, was not a place to be without a car. Final talk about Garrison ended with, “It’s a beautiful place if it’s the lifestyle desired.” Thoughts of Garrison were eliminated. We would get off at Cold Spring or Beacon. Some semblance of a plan was forming thanks to Mary in the know.

We decided to get off at Cold Spring. Beacon was a stop away should we want to see it later in the day. Cold Spring is a charming town with very friendly and helpful people. We asked a lot of questions from people we met while walking along the streets, and they freely gave their time to answer. I was beginning to feel like a reporter. People from Manhattan never quite get over the friendliness and helpfulness of people in other areas. This is not to say Manhattan is not a friendly place, it’s just to say it’s not as friendly. However, there are big exceptions, Mary being one of them.

Cold Spring has lots of large houses, antique shops, craft places, restaurants, a library, a bookstore, a lovely inn, and whatever is needed for a cozy lifestyle. It’s a quiet town; it’s a clean town, and we were told that on weekends it’s a town busy with tourists. Going to new places makes you think of new possibilities and the many different lifestyle choices. Thank you to those people who shared their experiences yesterday. It was most pleasant. And a big thank you to Mary who I’m sure goes through life helping strangers along the way.

“Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me, the long brown path leading wherever I choose.” – Walt Whitman

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where to start . . . .

What a cop-out, city boy. I feel you know more about the nitty-gritty of Manhattan life than I do. I’m sure your bike, roller blades and friends took you to places I know nothing about. But, okay, since you buttered me up, I’ll give it a whirl. Where to start? It’s not gonna be easy, but here goes. Lots to do here. You can’t really go wrong, because just standing outside people watching is pure entertainment. I suggest that your friends buy a copy of New York www.nymag.com and Time-Out New York www.timeout.com/newyork magazines before coming to the Big Apple. Both are excellent and will have current listings of galleries, museums, plays, restaurant, clubs, special events – there’s enough in those pages to keep your friends busy for weeks, if not months.

I’ve got to put a quote here, because that’s what I do, “I don’t want to hurry it. That itself is a twentieth century attitude. When you want to hurry something, that means you no longer care about it and want to get on with other things.” – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” – Robert Pirsig www.robertpirsig.org

Part of the Manhattan experience is to get out and mingle. And there are many ways of doing this. The weather’s been sunny and warm. It’s perfect for walking and to get the pulse of the Big Apple, you have to walk. If you want, take taxis late at night, but use public transportation and your feet other times. First buy a weekly Metro pass from a subway clerk. It’s a real bargain at $24 (ask the clerk for subway and bus maps too). A monthly pass is available if staying longer.

Next, your friends have to decide what they want to cover in the time they’re here. What’s important to them? Do they want to focus on museums and galleries and go clubbing at night? Are they interested in zeroing in on a particular Manhattan area becoming thoroughly familiar with it? Do they want to take the tourist route and visit the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Stock Exchange, Times Square, the department stores, Fifth Avenue, SoHo, Tribeca, meet Patience and Fortitude, (the NYC library lions), play the restaurant game for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night snacks? Shop til they drop? Perhaps sign up for a few mini courses at the Learning Annex? Which way to go? That’s the question.

Tell me more about your friends, Michael. We can custom make their trip. But, ah, their experiences – that’s something entirely different. We don’t want to interfere with that. Once they get to the big Apple, spend a few hours walking, step into its rhythm, the excitement and fun begins entirely on its own.

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strangers passing by

When walking along the streets of a big city or small town, you notice, if you’re not in a hurry, the expressions on the faces of the people you pass. The many different expressions are sweet, sad, determined, peaceful, tense, angry, kind, happy, depressed, compassionate, anxious, strong, tormented, loving, etc. Sometimes someone will pass whose energy shifts yours. It takes only a few seconds. When this happens you feel happier. It’s wonderful to experience. These people are special.

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a new yorker’s new york

Wow! Mom this blog looks amazing. You have really got some great things going on here. I am really enjoying the writings.

Ok, here’s the deal. I have several friends visiting NYC from the south and they asked me, “hey city boy, give us some inside scoop on the concrete jungle. What should we do during our free time…? We want something different to do while we’re up there”. Errr well as you know I have been out of the loop for several years so I told them I would find some interesting and unique stuff to do. HELP! We all know how much New York City changes and grows. So lemme have it. Some new & interesting things to check out. Not the typical Korean town or midnight Chinatown run but some other goods. I know you’ve got some NYC wisdom to share! I will check back and send them back here when you’ve responded Thanks!!!

-Michael

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on waiting

If anyone thinks New Yorkers are impatient they haven’t shopped at Whole Foods Market www.wholefoodsmarket.com . It’s an exercise in patience. You look at the long lines and observe the shoppers quietly moving at a snail’s pace to the front where finally it’s their turn to be called to a check out counter. All the Whole Food stores are spacious, but the space is chock full of choices everywhere you look and move. At times there’s a cart jammed at your ankle. It’s always unavoidable. Shoppers know this. There is order in the chaos of so many people choosing from so many great foods. I’m sure the people who can shop in the morning when it’s less hectic do so. On second thought, maybe it’s not less hectic. Maybe someday I should find out.

You cannot judge the patience of New Yorkers by what you see on the streets. Whether it’s walking, hailing a cab, or looking for a parking space because on any given day (not in all neighborhoods) there’s lots of stress and hurried movement and it’s almost impossible not to react. But get in a line at Whole Foods to see magic at work.

Eckhardt Tolle www.eckharttolle writes that we should accept what is and honor the present moment. And when we do all unhappiness and struggle dissolve and life begins to flow with joy and ease. Many people have written in a similar way. Of course, the only way to know this is to try it. People waiting in lines quietly, sometimes smiling, are doing just this. It’s nice.

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Keep it up Pinstripes!

Yes! My Yankees seem to be on a roll. Keep it up fellas and remind us why George pays you so well. Your fans are expecting something more this year… Don’t you all think it is time for a championship?! Bronx Bombers, 2005 World Series Champs… Ah, that has a nice ring to it!

-Michael

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a day to appreciate

Today was a beautiful day. The humidity was down, the sun was out, the sky was light this evening and it just seemed very peaceful. The upper west side had plenty of people strolling as it often does and the cafes were pleasantly busy. Cooking is fun because of the numerous markets conveniently located in this area. But on such a day it’s lovely to eat out and be part of the atmosphere. Any time during the day there are people sitting leisurely most often with a book, not a newspaper. How interesting. I thought. Some people sipped wine, other people drank coffee and many salads were eaten throughout the day. The salads looked delicious and I wanted to lean in and take a little bite. I felt no stress in the air; some days are like that even in Manhattan. Cars were quieter. Honking seemed not to be in the noisy way it so often is.

In my corner of the world today it was a day to appreciate.

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those grand old nyc department stores

Once upon a time in Manhattan there existed elegant, old-world charm department stores. Then investors came on the scene who saw only money in their pockets, and not the beauty, and not the importance of keeping these wonderful places intact for the people living in and visiting this city. They  didn’t care that these buildings had their own special energy.  They ruined their essence with renovations and ideas that didn’t work, and then sold them when the profit they wanted was not realized. In the process, what was once grand was gone with the greed. I’m thinking of B. Altman & Co., Gimbel’s, Bonwit Teller, Franklin Simon.

B. Altman & Co. was located on 34th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues. It was elegant throughout. The old beautiful water fountain ( it was not any old water fountain) was on the main floor, and had an ever-ready supply of drinking cups.  And all the floors had their own wonderful feeling, along with friendly, knowledgeable sales people who had been employed there for years. They knew the merchandise, and were thoroughly professional. If you weren’t sure what exactly you were looking for, they managed to find out for you.

The very large restaurant on the top floor was airily decorated with huge white birdcages hanging from the inordinately high ceilings. It was all white and had a dreamy feeling. The waitresses were always cordial. What a pleasure it was to be in that atmosphere.

Indeed, I remember the times when these special stores existed. I remember because lately I’ve heard people commenting about the sterility of many Manhattan neighborhoods. And started thinking of the many delightful small bookshops, the “mom and pop” places, and the wonderful, well-loved department stores that were once an important part of life in New York. I know change happens, especially in big cities, but maybe not to the extent that New Yorkers experience it. Ethnic groups arriving have always been a part of NYC,  and we get used to and enjoy what they bring,  and the old stands side-by-side with the new. That’s good; we learn from each other. But those elegant, old-world charm department stores, well, that’s an altogether different matter.

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the weekend

31 July 2005

Michael, it seems you and Alicia, Steph and Billy are relaxing and enjoying your Sea Trail weekend. It also seems that a nice group can make a business trip into something more. You’d be the first to say yes to that.
I spent Saturday apartment hunting with Natalie (for Natalie) in Jackson Heights, Queens. Wow! What a change from the time I was last there as a naive girl from NH. There’s a big Indian population and as you walk past some of the neighborhoods there’s a wonderful curry fragrance in the air. We discovered fun markets and Italian and Argentine restaurants which have to be experienced in the near future.
Natalie had an appointment with a realtor who brought us to her Forest Hills office, after which we discovered an excellent bagel, danish and good coffee place. Of course, we had to test the big blueberry danish because of the need to alleviate stress due to walking and apartment hunting in July’s high humidity.
I stayed in Panama City and Boquete, Panama www.pension-marilos.com for four months and don’t remember feeling the humidity as I do now in Manhattan. Is it all the concrete? Or a failed memory?

Note to self: Just enjoy the rest of the summer.

Two questions to ask of the day: 1. If I could live anywhere in the world, where would I choose to live? Why? 2. If I could do anything in the world, what would I do? Why?

Michael, what do you mean by “ride people?”

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zabar’s and the apartment hunt

It’s a hot Monday. And a humid one. I promised to help someone find an apartment within the next six weeks. And so I will; I think. Manhattan in the summer with its concrete and crowds can be trying, but with its cafes it’s quite tolerable. The upper west side where I am now has many small interesting shops and really good eating places. The trick today is to focus on looking for an apartment and not fall into any shops. I watch one man walking pass me dressed in a suit jacket. He’s fading fast.

After a sixteen block walk, my shirt is soaked from the humidity, so I slip into Zabar’s at 2245 Broadway @ 80th Street, www.zabars.com and buy a “$4.98 Pastrami on classic rye, mustard, and mayonnaise on the side, a pickle and 70 years of experience.” That’s what the wrapper of my sandwich says. It also states, “New York is Zabar’s Zabar’s is New York” I linger a bit before purchasing the sandwich letting the air conditioning revive me. I think, yes, Zabar’s truly does belong to New York. Its customers know how to shove their way into any area to get what they want, and the cashiers give the customers a touch of service and no more. It’s all all right because where food is concerned, Zabar’s does it right.

I decide to not eat at Zabar’s corner cafe. I walk to 86th Street, then stroll east at Broadway checking in with the doormen along the way to inquire about apartments. The first doorman tells me that the rent begins around $2800 a month for a studio. I tell him that I will think about that. (Laughter is good for the heart. And now I have something really funny to laugh about when I get back to where I’m staying). After speaking to a few more doormen, I walk to Central Park and find a solitary bench where there is not much foot traffic. I open the wrapper and eat the pastrami sandwich. It’s tasty, but the sweat dripping down my back forces me to vacate my bench immediately after eating.

I walk west again on 86th Street and realize that I’m going nowhere fast. There’s a Starbucks on Columbus Ave and 86th Street. I open the door, and true to form, most of the customers have either a book, newspaper, computer or pen and paper in front of them. I buy a San Pellegrino water. I’ll be out the door in ten minutes, I promise myself as I sit at the one table left. It feels so good to be right where I am.

I hope that whatever you’re doing, you’re absolutely fine, too.