NYC Revisited

My close friend Mary rode the train down to NYC with me a few days ago. We spent three nights in a hostel on the upper west side and had a blast.

The hostel was in a mixed neighborhood, mostly working class, just a few blocks from Central Park West and that mix of beauty and obscenities (glorious architecture, gardens, people----and, yeah really---gyms and spas that cater to rich folks dogs. The dogs.)

We spent an entire day in the Museum of Natural History, for both of us a magical place that intrigues and inspires. Highly recommended and take in the Hayden Planetarium if you can.

The next day we did a small bit of shopping midtown and visited churches (Mary is Catholic and I love buildings of all kinds) and walked the park from the southern entry through the zoo area, up paths and through greenery and gardens to Strawberry Fields, a quiet place well worth taking in.

Found a great Italian restaurant, great bagels, fresh fruits and vegetables filled street-side stands, all in all good food, good people, good time. NY is easy to get around in, full of free entertainment and, if you want to spend, the best of whatever you are looking for---it is also a friendly place.

Mostly. Next time, I want to do another museum, a harbor cruise and hang out downtown.