It couldn't have been a pleasanter day... the weather was perfect... the sun was out and there was a gentle breeze flowing through the island... the island of Manhattan.
The day was a culmination of old and new. I took the train to 125th Street to meet a friend. I had never gotten off there before as I generally get off at Grand Central Station. The station in Harlem was beautiful, full of yesteryear's splendor, as though I had been transported back to old New York, and once we left the building new New York stood proudly, in full glory. She's a beautiful city. I'm partial; I think she's the most beautiful city in all the world. We headed toward Central Park and drove into my old neighborhood on the Upper East Side. We drove past the building where I grew up and parked the car on 90th Street next to The Church of the Heavenly Rest. I tossed on my flip flops, grabbed my camera, a bottle of water and into the park, towards the reservoir, we went. My old stomping grounds. The Upper East Side, the reservoir... all familiar. I had come back home. It felt great to be back home!
I kept apologizing for my need to stop and snap a few pictures... Ok, more than a few... a lot of pictures! My normal style is not to look at the over-all landscape, but to hone in on the smaller detail... the details that are missed by most. I like to point out the beauty to those who have not stopped to take a closer look.
But yesterday I needed to do both. In my photographs of this particular day you'll see the larger tapestry, and you'll see the smaller, finer, more delicate threads within.
We cut out of the park and headed toward the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I spent much time both inside and outside as a child. I love to watch people... to study them... I can do this for hours. My camera loves people as well. My favorite pictures to take of people are those where they're being themselves... when they have no idea a camera is nearby.
From the Upper East Side we ventured downtown. I am not at all familiar with lower Manhattan at all. It's really like traveling to a foreign country. But in addition to what was old, I wanted to see something new. My friend proved to be an amazing tour guide. I learned so much about my city... about all the new and wonderful things she has to offer.
I have always wanted to walk the Highline, and that was our next stop. What was once a run-down, elevated railroad track has been renovated, slowly, section by section, and turned into a most wonderful park where people can sit and relax, picnic, take in the sights of downtown or simply walk through to get from point A to point B.
I cannot adequately describe the Highline as she weaves in and out of various buildings and neighborhoods... It's an experience that will awaken all your senses... there's so much texture in New York City and no where is it more apparent. New York is smooth, rough, flat, gritty, soft. Here wood meets metal, meets brick, meets glass, meets grass...
Gardens and gorgeous flowers strategically planted and placed along the old tracks... and sight and smell and touch... our senses are heightened...
Everyone seems to want to stop and smell the roses and slow down, if not but for a quick moment.
And the New York scenery is all around... horizons and harbors and funny advertisements...
We paused for a moment to look at the new construction... the vast expanse will become the new home to the Whitney Museum of American Art in a couple of years. She has outgrown her currently location in the old Frank Lloyd Wright building on the Upper East Side.
We got off the Highline to have some lunch and walk around the Meat Packing District where designers have stores, fancy restaurants feed tired and hungry tourists who come to rest their weary feet and refuel.
From the Highline we wandered through Chelsea Market...
...and over to Chelsea Piers... a beautiful stretch of the old commercial docks of the Hudson River that not too long ago was redeveloped... the old, tired, run-down piers that no longer served a purpose have been revitalized with rolling hills, parks and a breath-taking view of the harbor.
We then left the Chelsea Piers to head toward Madison Square Park ...
and a stroll through Eataly... another visual and aromatic journey...
and into Union Square to experience the incredible farmer's market...
and sadly the day was over and I had a train to catch back home...
I had a truly wonderful day and owe thanks to my amazing tour guide!
I hope you all enjoyed my stroll through the city as well...
Happy Mother's Day!
XOXO
Jessica