Since I began this blog in 2010, I have been on three trips to the East Coast, one vacation trip each to Chicago, Toronto, and Indianapolis, and countless other ventures of shorter duration and distance from my home. I also squeezed in a five-month work assignment in Des Plaines, Illinios during that time period. All of these trips - especially to Chicago, New York, and Boston, were made possible by the use of my IPhone and its various apps. I traveled alone on these far-away flings, and having GPS capability and good, accurate map applications and other apps proved especially invaluable in these formerly foreign-to-me places.
I use an iPhone 6 with 128GB of memory, which has proved to be more than adequate for what I need it to do: calls and emails, navigation, photos and video, etc. As most of you likely know, these devices are virtual Swiss Army Knives for travelers. For my travels, I use the following apps most often:
--> My Comcast and GMail email clients, for boarding passes, receipts, and other things;
--> Apple or Google Maps - generally reliable, and the transit directions are improving, but not perfect. I thought it wise to use both in order to get "second opinions" as to routes I may be taking - this is especially true with the newer transit directions these apps are now incorporating;
--> App of the hotel I'm staying at (e.g Marriott) for check ins;
--> App of the airline(s) I'm flying - most will allow check-in through the phone, and even ticket purchases.
--> I took Amtrak, so I got the app. Like airline apps, I can purchase tickets and check on train statuses.
--> Uber - I'm sold on this. Lyft should work as well, but Uber has a greater percentage of this market and will likely be easier to access.
--> AirBNB - I’ve yet to use this, but I’m including it here because I sense I will be. I’ll review it in a future post.
--> Zipcar - for access to the car-rental features, including access to the cars themselves.
Some of these apps listed above, especially those that rely on GPS like map apps, are battery hogs. I recommend getting a back up battery like the GoPuck and keep it plugged in as much as possible. Better yet, just take the backup battery with you and keep it plugged in at all times - make it a part of the phone. You’ll be glad you did, and you won’t be hunting for power outlets nearly as much in places you never really intended to visit.
Security Considerations:
We know that smartphones are juicy targets for thieves, not just for the phones themselves, but for the personal information they can access. I’ve heard of cases where smartphones are stolen from the hands of people while they were in use. Here are a few tips for keeping this risk at a minimum for you:
--> Don’t use them on the open street while you’re walking. This sounds obvious at first, but I have caught myself making this mistake often when using one of my navigation apps - and sometimes, not in the best of neighborhoods;
--> If you’re finding a route, try to commit as much of it to memory as possible before putting the phone away;
-->Most map apps have voice directions (Google and Apple, especially) - use
this feature as much as possible. You
can keep the phone hidden on your person and still hear the directions
through the built-in speaker, or in your ear piece. (Speaking of ear
pieces, only use
one of the ear buds to hear the phone and allow the other to monitor the
environment around you.);
--> Don’t put it in a purse or bag - keep it on your person at all times.
Other Things to Consider:
--> Besides being battery hogs, GPS-based apps are also data hogs. On a seven-day trip, one can easily burn through one or two gigabytes of data (or more) on their phone plan. Many providers, like Verizon, allow for the purchase of additional data for specific periods of time. Consider doing this for the time period you will be away, remembering to set your data streaming back down to what it was prior to departing.
--> Spur-of-the-moment detours and excursions are part of the fun of exploratory traveling, and I certainly encourage it. Keep in mind, however, that the more you prepare in advance for your travels in a given day, including figuring out walking routes and transit options, the less you will need to pull out the smart phone. You'll save battery power, and you lessen the risk of theft.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Epilogue
I'll spare you the mostly boring details about the trip back home, save for lugging around my two bags on the subway only to discover that there are TWO "A" lines, and I took the wrong one. Also, I admit to having taken an under-the-table "taxi" from a local driver who gets people who make my mistake all the time. I got to JFK with more time to spare than I had thought, checked in my bag and fed my face with foods that, well...let's just say that when I'm under stress, I can have the mind of a teenager while still trapped in a body approaching three times that age group. I took JetBlue to SFO (which I recommend, especially with the impending demise of Virgin America), and after the full-length trip on BART (overstuffed bags in tow) and the Capitol Corridor back to Sacramento, I called up an Uber ride home.
So, as far as the various aspects of this trip (which in all, I enjoyed immensely):
--> Uber: I'm sold. The taxi rides I took on previous trips cost me about $50/ride, to and from the Sacramento Train Station. On this trip, I took Uber to and from the train station not only here, but in Chicago, and the four rides cost less, in total, than one of those fifty-dollar taxi hauls. And, for the most part, the drivers were friendly and helpful. It's also a good way to meet strangers and socialize, if that's your thing.
-->Long-Distance Train Travel: I took this in all three of it's forms: sleeper compartments on the Coast Starlight and the Capitol Limited (Between Chicago and Pittsburgh), a full-on bedroom on the Empire Builder (between Portland and Chicago), and coach (the Pennsylvanian, between Pittsburgh and New York). In all, train travel is great if you consider getting to the destination to be as much a part of the overall vacation experience as the destination itself. Most of the the time, the routes include going into areas otherwise inaccessible to cars and other vehicles (e.g. parts of Glacier National Park), and the resulting scenery can be spectacular. Trains are also good places to socialize, especially in the Observation Car, and the Diner Car where "community seating" is practiced (you will share your booth with a stranger, them's the rules). You meet people from all over the country, and the world, on a given long-distance trip. But there are some things to consider:
>>As you would imagine, coach seating is the cheapest way (by far) of traveling in this way. It's similar to Greyhound in terms of pricing, and considerably more comfortable with bigger seats and lots of legroom. But, your seat also serves as your bed, which even when reclined, isn't too comfortable. Also, when thirty or forty people are trying to sleep at night on a long hauler - just imagine the resulting sounds (and smells).
>>Sleeping compartments are the next level up - with a fold-out bunk on top and the two seats below which fold down into a bed. The porters can set these up for you, and while stiff, they're passable for one or two nights. You have access to several restrooms, as well as a shower on the lower level of the car. Also, your meal expenses are part of the fare you paid, so you don't have to put out anything extra. But, the price really jumps up, depending on the distance of your travel. By including a sleeping compartment, a $100 can easily go up to $400, or more.
(By the way, sleeping in a moving train, at any level of service, requires a bit of adjustment. Don't expect more than a couple of hours on your first night onboard.)
>>Bedrooms are the highest level Amtrak offers. You get a larger room than a compartment, with the fold-down bunk and a couch that folds down into a bed. You also get a foldaway seat facing the bunks, and a small, fold-away work table. You also get your own bathroom and sink area. The advantages here are greater privacy and sanitation - you aren't sharing the "wealth" of bugs with others. There are disadvantages, however: the bathroom is cramped, and it takes a certain amount of learning how to align yourself with the nearly-claustrophobic quarters in order to make it work. The door to the bathroom also faces the window, so you better make sure you're either "decent", or the curtains are drawn, before you partake. Bedroom are, as the premium level of service, more than 2-3 times as expensive as a compartment. But, meals are included, a well as porter service.
I'm a member of Amtrak's Guest Rewards program, and over the years accumulated enough points (through its attached credit card and other Amtrak ravel) to purchase the train trip, with all of the luxuries, without any cash outlay. I highly recommend this approach if you decide you would like to try traveling long-distance by train, because as you'll see if you get on Amtrak's web site, sleeper cars and compartments represent big cash outlays. Even if you factor in the cost of the basic fare with your meals, the left over cost (representing "lodging") would be considerably more than a high-quality hotel. I should also mention, that the quality of food was, well, "life-sustaining" for the most part. Amtrak should look into improving the quality of its cuisine if it expects customers to pay the extra money for the on-board lodging.
What you're really paying for, then, is the experience.
--> Packing: I overdid it. Two bags, with one containing too many clothes and the other containing books I won't read or two cameras I rarely used, was overkill. It was also a pain to transport them to and from the station, or the airport, or between hotels. For future trips, regardless of length, I'm taking Rick Steves' advice to heart: one carry-on bag for my clothes and most other things, and my messenger bag for any electronic gear or extras I might carry. This approach also usually saves money at the airport, given that bag fees are now a profit center for virtually every airline.
-->Passes: Both Chicago and New York offer "City Pass" coupon books, or debit cards like the New York Pass which get you into many more attractions for free. Check out where you plan to go and what you want to see, then look to see if these options offer discounts to those transactions. They are great money-savers - if you use them.
-->Transit: In both Chicago and New York, I did not rent a car - I didn't need to. Both cities offer extensive mass transit systems that will get you pretty much wherever you want to go. Google Maps is improving it's transit routing, but it's not perfect. Apple Maps began to incorporate transit directions into its offering, I suspect by incorporating the technology used by the company it purchased and is now winding down, Embark. You'll use either of the apps extensively when getting around. About paying the fares:
>>Chicago: the Ventra card is used by the frequent users of Chicago's various transit systems, and I found it to be a very convenient way to pay. Looking like a debit or credit card, you just tap the card on one of the readers (much like the Clipper Card in the Bay Area), and off you go. The web site is where you can add transit dollar value (for individual fares) or multi-day passes. I ordered mine several weeks before the trip, and got it by mail. In short, the Ventra Card is highly recommended.
>>New York: the MetroCard is somewhat different from the Ventra Card, in that you swipe it in a magnetic reader to get on the buses or subways. Unlike the Ventra Card, you have to purchase one of these in New York proper, as you can't order it or have it mailed to you. I purchased mine when I got to Penn Station: $33 buys you seven days of full, unlimited use of the subway and non-express bus services, which was plenty for me.
-->Hotels: I stayed at:
>>Chicago - Ohio House Motel: it looks like a motel from any 1960's movie, but it was recently renovated, clean, and the service was friendly. It was priced reasonably for the time of year and it's downtown location. This one is a gem in the rough.
>>Chicago - Marriott - UIC: well, it's a Marriott. Friendly staff, clean, luxurious, but further away from the city center and more expensive.
>>New York - Marrakech: in the upper west-side. It has promise, but needs some work as far as fit-and-finish. Service was good.
>>New York - Hotel Pennsylvania: on Seventh Avenue across from Madison Square Garden. Probably the best location in the City, as many of the most common attractions are within walking distance (Times Square, Rockefeller Center, etc.). The place is continuing to undergo renovations and improvements. The room I had was surprisingly well-appointed and large in comparison to the two smaller rooms I had in the past. If booked sufficiently in advance and during the off-peak times, deals can be had here.
I'll include an honorable mention: The Jane. I have yet to stay here, but the porters were kind enough to show me around the rooms and let me stay for the free comedy show. I like the ambience of this place, and depending on the time of year (and if you don't mind shared facilities), it represents probably one of the best values in the City. My next trip to Gotham will include a stay here.
-->Free (and cheap) Stuff: Both cities can be very expensive to visit or stay in. But here are a few ideas which cost little or nothing:
>>The Chicago Lakefront and Parks: No admission fees, and the beautiful sights of the surroundings and the skyline (especially at night) all await you. Grant Park and it's Rainbow Fountain, Millennium Park and the Big Bean, Museum Campus and the landscaping - all free.
>>New York's Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge: You've got free reign of the entirety of this park, with it's waterways, paths, and lush landscaping, tree growth, and walking and bike paths. The Brooklyn Bridge Bike and Walk Path leads you to spectacular views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Skylines, as well as the East River. Best of all, these are free of charge.
>>Chicago - Museum of Broadcast Communications: $12, and you'll be taken into a virtual electronic time machine, with exhibits and old programming going back to the early 20th century.
>>Brooklyn - New York Transit Museum: $7 is all you need to experience some of the history of how people got around the five boroughs. Antique subway cars and rolling stock, and other exhibits, await. This is a great place for families.
>>The Bronx - Heritage Park: Located just outside the current Yankee Stadium, the park sits on the footprint of the original structure. The original diamond is still there, along with two others in opposite corners. The "Big Bat" is still standing, next to the subway entrance. This is the place where Mantle, Jackson, Chambliss, Mattingly, and many others, displayed their heroics, so just being out on that same field, in that same diamond, can give a different perspective to those events. There is also a full sports complex next to the baseball field, with a football field and track. Unlike the original Yankee Stadium (or the current one, for that matter): no price of admission - it's free.
>>New York Meatpacking and Chelsea Districts - The High Line: I go into this extensively in my previous post. There are several entrance points which required hiking up a few flights of stairs, but once you get on the High Line, you'll likely think it was worth the extra workout. Best of all - it's free.
So with this, and for now, I close the book on my most recent East Coast Adventure.
(A big Thank You to all who have read, commented on, and shared, my e-missives of this trip.)
So, as far as the various aspects of this trip (which in all, I enjoyed immensely):
--> Uber: I'm sold. The taxi rides I took on previous trips cost me about $50/ride, to and from the Sacramento Train Station. On this trip, I took Uber to and from the train station not only here, but in Chicago, and the four rides cost less, in total, than one of those fifty-dollar taxi hauls. And, for the most part, the drivers were friendly and helpful. It's also a good way to meet strangers and socialize, if that's your thing.
-->Long-Distance Train Travel: I took this in all three of it's forms: sleeper compartments on the Coast Starlight and the Capitol Limited (Between Chicago and Pittsburgh), a full-on bedroom on the Empire Builder (between Portland and Chicago), and coach (the Pennsylvanian, between Pittsburgh and New York). In all, train travel is great if you consider getting to the destination to be as much a part of the overall vacation experience as the destination itself. Most of the the time, the routes include going into areas otherwise inaccessible to cars and other vehicles (e.g. parts of Glacier National Park), and the resulting scenery can be spectacular. Trains are also good places to socialize, especially in the Observation Car, and the Diner Car where "community seating" is practiced (you will share your booth with a stranger, them's the rules). You meet people from all over the country, and the world, on a given long-distance trip. But there are some things to consider:
>>As you would imagine, coach seating is the cheapest way (by far) of traveling in this way. It's similar to Greyhound in terms of pricing, and considerably more comfortable with bigger seats and lots of legroom. But, your seat also serves as your bed, which even when reclined, isn't too comfortable. Also, when thirty or forty people are trying to sleep at night on a long hauler - just imagine the resulting sounds (and smells).
>>Sleeping compartments are the next level up - with a fold-out bunk on top and the two seats below which fold down into a bed. The porters can set these up for you, and while stiff, they're passable for one or two nights. You have access to several restrooms, as well as a shower on the lower level of the car. Also, your meal expenses are part of the fare you paid, so you don't have to put out anything extra. But, the price really jumps up, depending on the distance of your travel. By including a sleeping compartment, a $100 can easily go up to $400, or more.
(By the way, sleeping in a moving train, at any level of service, requires a bit of adjustment. Don't expect more than a couple of hours on your first night onboard.)
>>Bedrooms are the highest level Amtrak offers. You get a larger room than a compartment, with the fold-down bunk and a couch that folds down into a bed. You also get a foldaway seat facing the bunks, and a small, fold-away work table. You also get your own bathroom and sink area. The advantages here are greater privacy and sanitation - you aren't sharing the "wealth" of bugs with others. There are disadvantages, however: the bathroom is cramped, and it takes a certain amount of learning how to align yourself with the nearly-claustrophobic quarters in order to make it work. The door to the bathroom also faces the window, so you better make sure you're either "decent", or the curtains are drawn, before you partake. Bedroom are, as the premium level of service, more than 2-3 times as expensive as a compartment. But, meals are included, a well as porter service.
I'm a member of Amtrak's Guest Rewards program, and over the years accumulated enough points (through its attached credit card and other Amtrak ravel) to purchase the train trip, with all of the luxuries, without any cash outlay. I highly recommend this approach if you decide you would like to try traveling long-distance by train, because as you'll see if you get on Amtrak's web site, sleeper cars and compartments represent big cash outlays. Even if you factor in the cost of the basic fare with your meals, the left over cost (representing "lodging") would be considerably more than a high-quality hotel. I should also mention, that the quality of food was, well, "life-sustaining" for the most part. Amtrak should look into improving the quality of its cuisine if it expects customers to pay the extra money for the on-board lodging.
What you're really paying for, then, is the experience.
--> Packing: I overdid it. Two bags, with one containing too many clothes and the other containing books I won't read or two cameras I rarely used, was overkill. It was also a pain to transport them to and from the station, or the airport, or between hotels. For future trips, regardless of length, I'm taking Rick Steves' advice to heart: one carry-on bag for my clothes and most other things, and my messenger bag for any electronic gear or extras I might carry. This approach also usually saves money at the airport, given that bag fees are now a profit center for virtually every airline.
-->Passes: Both Chicago and New York offer "City Pass" coupon books, or debit cards like the New York Pass which get you into many more attractions for free. Check out where you plan to go and what you want to see, then look to see if these options offer discounts to those transactions. They are great money-savers - if you use them.
-->Transit: In both Chicago and New York, I did not rent a car - I didn't need to. Both cities offer extensive mass transit systems that will get you pretty much wherever you want to go. Google Maps is improving it's transit routing, but it's not perfect. Apple Maps began to incorporate transit directions into its offering, I suspect by incorporating the technology used by the company it purchased and is now winding down, Embark. You'll use either of the apps extensively when getting around. About paying the fares:
>>Chicago: the Ventra card is used by the frequent users of Chicago's various transit systems, and I found it to be a very convenient way to pay. Looking like a debit or credit card, you just tap the card on one of the readers (much like the Clipper Card in the Bay Area), and off you go. The web site is where you can add transit dollar value (for individual fares) or multi-day passes. I ordered mine several weeks before the trip, and got it by mail. In short, the Ventra Card is highly recommended.
>>New York: the MetroCard is somewhat different from the Ventra Card, in that you swipe it in a magnetic reader to get on the buses or subways. Unlike the Ventra Card, you have to purchase one of these in New York proper, as you can't order it or have it mailed to you. I purchased mine when I got to Penn Station: $33 buys you seven days of full, unlimited use of the subway and non-express bus services, which was plenty for me.
-->Hotels: I stayed at:
>>Chicago - Ohio House Motel: it looks like a motel from any 1960's movie, but it was recently renovated, clean, and the service was friendly. It was priced reasonably for the time of year and it's downtown location. This one is a gem in the rough.
>>Chicago - Marriott - UIC: well, it's a Marriott. Friendly staff, clean, luxurious, but further away from the city center and more expensive.
>>New York - Marrakech: in the upper west-side. It has promise, but needs some work as far as fit-and-finish. Service was good.
>>New York - Hotel Pennsylvania: on Seventh Avenue across from Madison Square Garden. Probably the best location in the City, as many of the most common attractions are within walking distance (Times Square, Rockefeller Center, etc.). The place is continuing to undergo renovations and improvements. The room I had was surprisingly well-appointed and large in comparison to the two smaller rooms I had in the past. If booked sufficiently in advance and during the off-peak times, deals can be had here.
I'll include an honorable mention: The Jane. I have yet to stay here, but the porters were kind enough to show me around the rooms and let me stay for the free comedy show. I like the ambience of this place, and depending on the time of year (and if you don't mind shared facilities), it represents probably one of the best values in the City. My next trip to Gotham will include a stay here.
-->Free (and cheap) Stuff: Both cities can be very expensive to visit or stay in. But here are a few ideas which cost little or nothing:
>>The Chicago Lakefront and Parks: No admission fees, and the beautiful sights of the surroundings and the skyline (especially at night) all await you. Grant Park and it's Rainbow Fountain, Millennium Park and the Big Bean, Museum Campus and the landscaping - all free.
>>New York's Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge: You've got free reign of the entirety of this park, with it's waterways, paths, and lush landscaping, tree growth, and walking and bike paths. The Brooklyn Bridge Bike and Walk Path leads you to spectacular views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Skylines, as well as the East River. Best of all, these are free of charge.
>>Chicago - Museum of Broadcast Communications: $12, and you'll be taken into a virtual electronic time machine, with exhibits and old programming going back to the early 20th century.
>>Brooklyn - New York Transit Museum: $7 is all you need to experience some of the history of how people got around the five boroughs. Antique subway cars and rolling stock, and other exhibits, await. This is a great place for families.
>>The Bronx - Heritage Park: Located just outside the current Yankee Stadium, the park sits on the footprint of the original structure. The original diamond is still there, along with two others in opposite corners. The "Big Bat" is still standing, next to the subway entrance. This is the place where Mantle, Jackson, Chambliss, Mattingly, and many others, displayed their heroics, so just being out on that same field, in that same diamond, can give a different perspective to those events. There is also a full sports complex next to the baseball field, with a football field and track. Unlike the original Yankee Stadium (or the current one, for that matter): no price of admission - it's free.
>>New York Meatpacking and Chelsea Districts - The High Line: I go into this extensively in my previous post. There are several entrance points which required hiking up a few flights of stairs, but once you get on the High Line, you'll likely think it was worth the extra workout. Best of all - it's free.
So with this, and for now, I close the book on my most recent East Coast Adventure.
(A big Thank You to all who have read, commented on, and shared, my e-missives of this trip.)
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 12
(6/1)
My last day of tourism in the Big Apple found me starting off in the Bronx. I had initially intended to go to one of their museums, but discovered that it didn’t open until 11:00 - and it was only a bit past 9. So I thought for a minute: what else is in the Bronx?
That’s right - Yankee Stadium!
Pulled up the route on my iPhone, and walked the several blocks toward the House that Steinbrenner built. Along the way, I stopped at a cafe for a bit of breakfast and a dose of orange juice. “Dose” - because that’s the size of orange juice I received (I thought I ordered a glass). Needless to say, I’m not naming the cafe - more as an act of mercy than anything else.
I made it to the stadium property, and took some photos of Gate 6 and the Main Gate. I also stopped in the gift shop for a look around. I asked one of the workers in the shop as to where the original stadium grounds were - he pointed me across the street to the big bat that marks the direction of the original diamond and thus, the original home plate area. This area is situated in what is now known as McCombs Dam Park, where within this multi-purpose complex is Heritage Field. On the far end, I found the original Yankee Stadium “Big Bat” and the old diamond. I envisioned the events witnessed in this very area years ago: Chris Chambliss’ home run in 1976, Reggie Jackson in 1977, the World Series’ won and lost, Mickey Mantle’s epic blasts, and countless other Yankee heroes and heroics. I’m not a Yankees fan by any means - I never was - but I could not help but to reminisce about those moments, even teasing a fantasy for a second about wearing the pinstripes as I rounded the base paths (which I did), or stand in approximately the same spot that Chris Chambliss did when his 9th inning blast off of Mark Littel in 1976 sent the Bronx Bombers into the World Series, and the stadium into a pandemonium-filled, seats-clearing celebration on the field. I even took a “pitch” on the old pitcher’s mound and rubber. In spirit, I left about 38 of my 48 years on what was the visitor’s bench, and for a few minutes, allowed myself and my imagination to take flight. Heritage Field is now, truly, a Field of Dreams.
In the distance is the "new" Yankee Stadium, built in 2008. This picture was taken on the diamond of the original stadium. The dark patch you see on the lower-right is the home plate area.
Here is the famed Yankee Stadium "baseball bat". You'll see it in old flyover pictures of the original stadium.
The view from behind home plate.
After a bit of wandering around this area, I headed back on the Subway, to the 59th Street Station at Columbus Circle. Since this represented the southern end of Central Park, I made it my mission to traverse the entire park to the North End (110th Street). I didn’t pay too much mind to the pathways I used - the entire route I took represented a picturesque way to get into shape with all of the hills and undulations. I passed wedding parties, street musicians, the Onassis Reservoir, various arches and bridges, hues of green everywhere in front of a cloudless late morning sky, and the expected allotment of field nappers, couples, joggers, families and strollers, and other passers by on foot and on bicycle. With breaks, it took between 60-90 minutes to make the trek to 110th.
I started on my trip back to the hotel, having found a promising cafe, Birch Cafe on Columbus Ave., on my Google Maps app. I found the nearest southbound bus stop, and waited, and waited, and waited….only to discover that according to the posted schedule, the bus was supposed to have arrived twice at that stop by then. At that point, I started the southbound slog on foot, stopping by succeeding bus stops in the ultimately futile hope that a bus will arrive that will offer me at least a couple of minutes of walking relief while I continued to my destination. I kept up the walking pace, counting down the numbers to my cross street - 100th, 99th, 98th - and after arriving at 94th, made my right turn. Thank you for getting me into better shape, MTA. After getting to Columbus, I checked my iPhone, and after a bit of confusion, found the Birch Cafe across the street.
I had my “acid test” beverage at the Birch - a nonfat mocha - which passed with low-flying colors. It was generally well-balanced, and most importantly, it kept my energy up for the time I would need to get back to the hotel for a bit of afternoon respite. The Birch also has a smallish selection of health-related juices and food offerings in the chiller next to the cashier, which were on the expensive side. I liked the overall, wood-toned, slightly retro atmosphere of the place, in which the denizens there were engaged in more conversation than buried in name-your-computing-device. The Birch Cafe represents what may be a growing trend in espresso houses nationwide - those that do not offer wi-fi service. The theory behind this may have something to do with enhancing a communal, conversational atmosphere where people are encouraged to connect with speech, gestures and facial expressions as opposed to typewriter keyboards, smilies, and instant messages. There is something to be said for that philosophy.
I finally made it back to the Pennsylvania. After a couple of hours of relaxation, I thought that a good way to cap off this East Coast jaunt would be a return to the High Line, and the surrounding Chelsea and Meatpacking districts. I walked - again - up to the 30th street entrance where prior to climbing the steps, I encountered Think Coffee. I had my “acid test” beverage earlier in the day, so I settled for a single-source pour-over (I forget the exact kind of coffee). I’d recommend this place, in part for the coffee but also for the reasonableness of the prices.
I hiked up the steps of the 30th street entrance. I wanted to take some sunset photographs along the Line, but it was too early at that time, so I wound my way to the northernmost point. I looked around a bit and checked out the posters describing a bit of the history of the High Line. It was originally used for hauling freight to and from the former factories and businesses, and after the line was retired, was purchased by the City. A few years of development later, and this model “rail trail” was formed.
I started, slowly, at the High Line’s northbound endpoint, heading south. Through the flowers, shrubs, and other foliage one can see the original rails and rail ties, combined with benches that seems to grow out of the concrete strips that constitute the walkway. Many of the species of flora are listed on small signs next to the said flora. There are several observation areas that jut out from the main walk path, overlooking the streets below and in one case, the Hudson Rail Yards. Some of the areas are covered, and on the southern end, cut through two existing buildings. Sculptures and other art pieces appear on the path - such as the Smart Car covered in Tire Treads with the tree coming out from the top. Toward the southern end of the route, loud music can be heard from one of the buildings with hundreds of people congregating and dancing - a festive sight and sound, indeed. Finally, at the southern end, I arrived at the entrance to the Whitney Museum of Art - a place that, looking back, I should have made time for and will make a point to visit when I return.
After about 90 minutes of absorbing all of this stimuli, the sun finally began its daily rendezvous with the western horizon. I pulled out my iPhone and, like many others around me, took what seemed to be like dozens of pictures of the setting sun. The sky seemed to transition to darker hues of blue, with the yellows of the sun changing into reds and oranges - and these changes gave the industrial structures in front their own shades of those same colors.
I found a restaurant on the corner, Bubby’s, which looked to specialize in higher-class comfort food. The atmosphere and clientele certainly looked to be a step above the typical diner, and while the pricing of the entrees reflected that “step above”, the appetizers looked like something my budget could handle. Over an order of nachos and a small macaroni/cheese, and a bottle of Fever Tree ginger beer , I continued to research and work on this blog.
After staying for about an hour, I had the idea of heading back to the Village for some live music before heading back to the hotel for the last time. But I thought, I didn’t know who was playing and didn’t want to waste the time trying to find something worthwhile. Then, I remembered that a hotel I had considered reserving a room in when I first came here in 2013 was in the neighborhood - The Jane. I decided to check it out - and was not disappointed. The hotel was originally used by sailors in the early 1900s, and the rooms and facility layout implied as much. There are three levels of room - single bed, bunk, and Captain. The single and bunk rooms are smallish to be sure, but still, they use their space efficiently for storing luggage and other things. These rooms, as expected the least expensive in the hotel at $115-125/night on average, also feature shared bathroom facilities - not my favorite arrangement by any means, but doable if I’m there for a couple of days and the place isn’t booked to the gills. The porter, who showed me these rooms, also showed me a Captains room, which contain their own bathrooms and wet bars. These rooms are quite luxurious, even more so than what I’ve seen at the Pennsylvania, and the prices for them range from $150/night (off-peak) to as much as $300 or more per night (peak). That the porters were willing to give me a tour of the place, including the shared bathroom facilities, implies to me that they are customer service-oriented, and for that tour alone, entice me to seriously consider booking the Jane for my next trip.
I’m not finished at the Jane just yet. The place has a ballroom, on the small side, but used for dance music between Thursday and Saturday each week, and a live comedy show on this night. The ballroom seems to shout “vintage” all around, with the antique furnishings and dark wood hues. There were several examples of taxidermy around, including a mounted ram above the fireplace. I was invited to the stand-up comedy show, which was free. Fun was had, and at the conclusion, I decided to call it an evening, and a vacation.
My last day of tourism in the Big Apple found me starting off in the Bronx. I had initially intended to go to one of their museums, but discovered that it didn’t open until 11:00 - and it was only a bit past 9. So I thought for a minute: what else is in the Bronx?
That’s right - Yankee Stadium!
Pulled up the route on my iPhone, and walked the several blocks toward the House that Steinbrenner built. Along the way, I stopped at a cafe for a bit of breakfast and a dose of orange juice. “Dose” - because that’s the size of orange juice I received (I thought I ordered a glass). Needless to say, I’m not naming the cafe - more as an act of mercy than anything else.
I made it to the stadium property, and took some photos of Gate 6 and the Main Gate. I also stopped in the gift shop for a look around. I asked one of the workers in the shop as to where the original stadium grounds were - he pointed me across the street to the big bat that marks the direction of the original diamond and thus, the original home plate area. This area is situated in what is now known as McCombs Dam Park, where within this multi-purpose complex is Heritage Field. On the far end, I found the original Yankee Stadium “Big Bat” and the old diamond. I envisioned the events witnessed in this very area years ago: Chris Chambliss’ home run in 1976, Reggie Jackson in 1977, the World Series’ won and lost, Mickey Mantle’s epic blasts, and countless other Yankee heroes and heroics. I’m not a Yankees fan by any means - I never was - but I could not help but to reminisce about those moments, even teasing a fantasy for a second about wearing the pinstripes as I rounded the base paths (which I did), or stand in approximately the same spot that Chris Chambliss did when his 9th inning blast off of Mark Littel in 1976 sent the Bronx Bombers into the World Series, and the stadium into a pandemonium-filled, seats-clearing celebration on the field. I even took a “pitch” on the old pitcher’s mound and rubber. In spirit, I left about 38 of my 48 years on what was the visitor’s bench, and for a few minutes, allowed myself and my imagination to take flight. Heritage Field is now, truly, a Field of Dreams.
In the distance is the "new" Yankee Stadium, built in 2008. This picture was taken on the diamond of the original stadium. The dark patch you see on the lower-right is the home plate area.
Here is the famed Yankee Stadium "baseball bat". You'll see it in old flyover pictures of the original stadium.
The view from behind home plate.
After a bit of wandering around this area, I headed back on the Subway, to the 59th Street Station at Columbus Circle. Since this represented the southern end of Central Park, I made it my mission to traverse the entire park to the North End (110th Street). I didn’t pay too much mind to the pathways I used - the entire route I took represented a picturesque way to get into shape with all of the hills and undulations. I passed wedding parties, street musicians, the Onassis Reservoir, various arches and bridges, hues of green everywhere in front of a cloudless late morning sky, and the expected allotment of field nappers, couples, joggers, families and strollers, and other passers by on foot and on bicycle. With breaks, it took between 60-90 minutes to make the trek to 110th.
I started on my trip back to the hotel, having found a promising cafe, Birch Cafe on Columbus Ave., on my Google Maps app. I found the nearest southbound bus stop, and waited, and waited, and waited….only to discover that according to the posted schedule, the bus was supposed to have arrived twice at that stop by then. At that point, I started the southbound slog on foot, stopping by succeeding bus stops in the ultimately futile hope that a bus will arrive that will offer me at least a couple of minutes of walking relief while I continued to my destination. I kept up the walking pace, counting down the numbers to my cross street - 100th, 99th, 98th - and after arriving at 94th, made my right turn. Thank you for getting me into better shape, MTA. After getting to Columbus, I checked my iPhone, and after a bit of confusion, found the Birch Cafe across the street.
I had my “acid test” beverage at the Birch - a nonfat mocha - which passed with low-flying colors. It was generally well-balanced, and most importantly, it kept my energy up for the time I would need to get back to the hotel for a bit of afternoon respite. The Birch also has a smallish selection of health-related juices and food offerings in the chiller next to the cashier, which were on the expensive side. I liked the overall, wood-toned, slightly retro atmosphere of the place, in which the denizens there were engaged in more conversation than buried in name-your-computing-device. The Birch Cafe represents what may be a growing trend in espresso houses nationwide - those that do not offer wi-fi service. The theory behind this may have something to do with enhancing a communal, conversational atmosphere where people are encouraged to connect with speech, gestures and facial expressions as opposed to typewriter keyboards, smilies, and instant messages. There is something to be said for that philosophy.
I finally made it back to the Pennsylvania. After a couple of hours of relaxation, I thought that a good way to cap off this East Coast jaunt would be a return to the High Line, and the surrounding Chelsea and Meatpacking districts. I walked - again - up to the 30th street entrance where prior to climbing the steps, I encountered Think Coffee. I had my “acid test” beverage earlier in the day, so I settled for a single-source pour-over (I forget the exact kind of coffee). I’d recommend this place, in part for the coffee but also for the reasonableness of the prices.
I hiked up the steps of the 30th street entrance. I wanted to take some sunset photographs along the Line, but it was too early at that time, so I wound my way to the northernmost point. I looked around a bit and checked out the posters describing a bit of the history of the High Line. It was originally used for hauling freight to and from the former factories and businesses, and after the line was retired, was purchased by the City. A few years of development later, and this model “rail trail” was formed.
I started, slowly, at the High Line’s northbound endpoint, heading south. Through the flowers, shrubs, and other foliage one can see the original rails and rail ties, combined with benches that seems to grow out of the concrete strips that constitute the walkway. Many of the species of flora are listed on small signs next to the said flora. There are several observation areas that jut out from the main walk path, overlooking the streets below and in one case, the Hudson Rail Yards. Some of the areas are covered, and on the southern end, cut through two existing buildings. Sculptures and other art pieces appear on the path - such as the Smart Car covered in Tire Treads with the tree coming out from the top. Toward the southern end of the route, loud music can be heard from one of the buildings with hundreds of people congregating and dancing - a festive sight and sound, indeed. Finally, at the southern end, I arrived at the entrance to the Whitney Museum of Art - a place that, looking back, I should have made time for and will make a point to visit when I return.
After about 90 minutes of absorbing all of this stimuli, the sun finally began its daily rendezvous with the western horizon. I pulled out my iPhone and, like many others around me, took what seemed to be like dozens of pictures of the setting sun. The sky seemed to transition to darker hues of blue, with the yellows of the sun changing into reds and oranges - and these changes gave the industrial structures in front their own shades of those same colors.
I found a restaurant on the corner, Bubby’s, which looked to specialize in higher-class comfort food. The atmosphere and clientele certainly looked to be a step above the typical diner, and while the pricing of the entrees reflected that “step above”, the appetizers looked like something my budget could handle. Over an order of nachos and a small macaroni/cheese, and a bottle of Fever Tree ginger beer , I continued to research and work on this blog.
After staying for about an hour, I had the idea of heading back to the Village for some live music before heading back to the hotel for the last time. But I thought, I didn’t know who was playing and didn’t want to waste the time trying to find something worthwhile. Then, I remembered that a hotel I had considered reserving a room in when I first came here in 2013 was in the neighborhood - The Jane. I decided to check it out - and was not disappointed. The hotel was originally used by sailors in the early 1900s, and the rooms and facility layout implied as much. There are three levels of room - single bed, bunk, and Captain. The single and bunk rooms are smallish to be sure, but still, they use their space efficiently for storing luggage and other things. These rooms, as expected the least expensive in the hotel at $115-125/night on average, also feature shared bathroom facilities - not my favorite arrangement by any means, but doable if I’m there for a couple of days and the place isn’t booked to the gills. The porter, who showed me these rooms, also showed me a Captains room, which contain their own bathrooms and wet bars. These rooms are quite luxurious, even more so than what I’ve seen at the Pennsylvania, and the prices for them range from $150/night (off-peak) to as much as $300 or more per night (peak). That the porters were willing to give me a tour of the place, including the shared bathroom facilities, implies to me that they are customer service-oriented, and for that tour alone, entice me to seriously consider booking the Jane for my next trip.
I’m not finished at the Jane just yet. The place has a ballroom, on the small side, but used for dance music between Thursday and Saturday each week, and a live comedy show on this night. The ballroom seems to shout “vintage” all around, with the antique furnishings and dark wood hues. There were several examples of taxidermy around, including a mounted ram above the fireplace. I was invited to the stand-up comedy show, which was free. Fun was had, and at the conclusion, I decided to call it an evening, and a vacation.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 11
My day started with a morning visit to what is becoming one of my favorite coffee haunts, Brooklyn Roasting Company. Located off of Jay Street with the Brooklyn Bridge looking down less than 100 yards away, the place has a lofty, informal atmosphere reminiscent of the industrial structure it likely was in another time. Once you walk in, you’re greeted to the sights of antique furnishings, a steel door that serves as a table, and other seating areas and elevated tables that looked just as industrial and antique. The nonfat mochas I have had here (both in 2015 and just now) were well-made and balanced, and the place was never empty, serving a clientele as wide and diverse as the city that serves as its namesake. This is one of the places I definitely recommend.
My next stop was the New York Transit Museum, situated underground in the former Court Street subway station. $7 is the price of admission, which takes you into a multi-leveled and multi-faceted look at the history of transit throughout Greater New York, from the horse and buggy days through today’s Subway, Buses, and the Long island RailRoad. The first level provides exhibits of the role of MTA employees in keeping the massive system running, especially through historic events such as Hurricane Sandy and 9/11. Artifacts from those crises, such as automated switches, telephones, and circuit boards, served as evidence of the challenges those men and women faced as they worked to keep the trains and buses running.
Downstairs, at train level, rests a huge collection of antique subway and other rail cars that date back to the early 1900s. One can walk onto the cars and take a seat, just like the customers who used those cars on a daily basis in those days. Above the seats are vintage advertisements from those time periods, such as those for cigarettes, war bonds, courtesy reminders, and for Miss Subway.
Two generations of bus were also represented, which were favorites of the kids as they get to climb into the seats and drive. In addition, there are exhibits for how the tokens and money were gathered and counted, as well as a section devoted to vintage turnstiles.
In all, this attraction is highly recommended. It’s cheap - $7 - and very family-friendly. There is a lot one can get their hands on (crucial for kids, especially). In addition, I found the use of an existing, closed subway station to be a stroke of genius. They're using existing infrastructure (thus reducing the expense required to build and/or maintain an above-ground structure), and the proper atmosphere of the subway is built-in - it takes minimal effort to recreate it.
My next adventure was to traverse the entirety of the Brooklyn Bridge on foot. After quite a bit of walking around and a few detours, I found the entrance to the main walkway, and began my journey. The wood-planked walkway was elevated above car-level, and was already bustling with tourists and locals as I began my journey across this span of the East River. As one would expect, the views on either side were spectacular, especially given the near-perfect weather and the sight of the Skyline in front of me at all times.
Every so often on the bridge, beverage vendors were found with their coolers - I didn’t partake, thinking that I’m part of a “captive clientele” and they will likely charge beaucoup shekels for their product. After arriving on the other side (about one mile or so), I stopped at the park next to the entrance, rested a bit over a bottle of water, then after a bit of smartphone-based research, found one of the entrances to the famed High Line, on the lower west-side of the island and traverses the Chelsea and Meatpacking districts. (I’ll have a lot more to say about the High Line in my next post). I got to the entrance, walked the equivalent of ten blocks, then bounded down the steps to street-level, where I found Underline Coffee. After a bit of caffeinated refreshment there (and recommended), I headed back to the hotel for some rest before my trip to Madison Square Garden.
I actually walked into the Garden the previous day, when I took the tour. The Garden, post-renovations, is now claimed to be the most advanced entertainment and sports arena in the world. (I know of a couple of places, however, that could give MSG a run for its money in these departments.) The tour, lasting about 75 minutes in total, takes you to the luxury suites (including inside one of the owner’s suites), to four different site lines within the arena, including the “bridge”, in which the attendee looks almost directly down at the action. You also get to look in the home team’s locker rooms (though you don’t enter them.)
Stories of events that happened at the Garden through it’s history and incarnations (there were four different buildings that took the name Madison Square Garden, dating back to the late 1800’s). The tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable, with a ribald sense of humor. The admission was part of the purchase of the New York Pass (without the pass, adult admission is $26.95).
One of the benefits of having taken the tour, is that you get a discount on events at the Garden. I chose to use mine on the WNBA game, between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx. Only lower-bowl seats were sold for these games, and it did not sell out. Still, many of the same features and flash-dash found at NBA games are found here, as well: the mascot (Maddie), the fire coming out of the torch when the Liberty players took the court, the dry-ice cannons shooting t-shirts into the crowd, etc. On the court, the Liberty boasted Tina Charles, who seemed to have the best shooting hand and ball control on the team in this contest. As for the results of the game: the Lynx were 5-0 coming into the game, and they showed why this evening, resulting in a 10-point defeat for the home team. Still, fun was had by those who didn’t take the game too seriously and were there purely for the fun of it (like myself).
After the game, I headed across the street, back to the Hotel. One more day of adventures before heading back to the reality of the workaday world.
My next stop was the New York Transit Museum, situated underground in the former Court Street subway station. $7 is the price of admission, which takes you into a multi-leveled and multi-faceted look at the history of transit throughout Greater New York, from the horse and buggy days through today’s Subway, Buses, and the Long island RailRoad. The first level provides exhibits of the role of MTA employees in keeping the massive system running, especially through historic events such as Hurricane Sandy and 9/11. Artifacts from those crises, such as automated switches, telephones, and circuit boards, served as evidence of the challenges those men and women faced as they worked to keep the trains and buses running.
Downstairs, at train level, rests a huge collection of antique subway and other rail cars that date back to the early 1900s. One can walk onto the cars and take a seat, just like the customers who used those cars on a daily basis in those days. Above the seats are vintage advertisements from those time periods, such as those for cigarettes, war bonds, courtesy reminders, and for Miss Subway.
Two generations of bus were also represented, which were favorites of the kids as they get to climb into the seats and drive. In addition, there are exhibits for how the tokens and money were gathered and counted, as well as a section devoted to vintage turnstiles.
In all, this attraction is highly recommended. It’s cheap - $7 - and very family-friendly. There is a lot one can get their hands on (crucial for kids, especially). In addition, I found the use of an existing, closed subway station to be a stroke of genius. They're using existing infrastructure (thus reducing the expense required to build and/or maintain an above-ground structure), and the proper atmosphere of the subway is built-in - it takes minimal effort to recreate it.
My next adventure was to traverse the entirety of the Brooklyn Bridge on foot. After quite a bit of walking around and a few detours, I found the entrance to the main walkway, and began my journey. The wood-planked walkway was elevated above car-level, and was already bustling with tourists and locals as I began my journey across this span of the East River. As one would expect, the views on either side were spectacular, especially given the near-perfect weather and the sight of the Skyline in front of me at all times.
Every so often on the bridge, beverage vendors were found with their coolers - I didn’t partake, thinking that I’m part of a “captive clientele” and they will likely charge beaucoup shekels for their product. After arriving on the other side (about one mile or so), I stopped at the park next to the entrance, rested a bit over a bottle of water, then after a bit of smartphone-based research, found one of the entrances to the famed High Line, on the lower west-side of the island and traverses the Chelsea and Meatpacking districts. (I’ll have a lot more to say about the High Line in my next post). I got to the entrance, walked the equivalent of ten blocks, then bounded down the steps to street-level, where I found Underline Coffee. After a bit of caffeinated refreshment there (and recommended), I headed back to the hotel for some rest before my trip to Madison Square Garden.
I actually walked into the Garden the previous day, when I took the tour. The Garden, post-renovations, is now claimed to be the most advanced entertainment and sports arena in the world. (I know of a couple of places, however, that could give MSG a run for its money in these departments.) The tour, lasting about 75 minutes in total, takes you to the luxury suites (including inside one of the owner’s suites), to four different site lines within the arena, including the “bridge”, in which the attendee looks almost directly down at the action. You also get to look in the home team’s locker rooms (though you don’t enter them.)
Stories of events that happened at the Garden through it’s history and incarnations (there were four different buildings that took the name Madison Square Garden, dating back to the late 1800’s). The tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable, with a ribald sense of humor. The admission was part of the purchase of the New York Pass (without the pass, adult admission is $26.95).
One of the benefits of having taken the tour, is that you get a discount on events at the Garden. I chose to use mine on the WNBA game, between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx. Only lower-bowl seats were sold for these games, and it did not sell out. Still, many of the same features and flash-dash found at NBA games are found here, as well: the mascot (Maddie), the fire coming out of the torch when the Liberty players took the court, the dry-ice cannons shooting t-shirts into the crowd, etc. On the court, the Liberty boasted Tina Charles, who seemed to have the best shooting hand and ball control on the team in this contest. As for the results of the game: the Lynx were 5-0 coming into the game, and they showed why this evening, resulting in a 10-point defeat for the home team. Still, fun was had by those who didn’t take the game too seriously and were there purely for the fun of it (like myself).
After the game, I headed across the street, back to the Hotel. One more day of adventures before heading back to the reality of the workaday world.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 10
(5/30) This was the day where I moved out of the Marrakech Hotel (see my previous review), and moved into the more familiar digs (for me) of the Hotel Pennsylvania. It's situated right in the middle of Midtown, across the street from Madison Square Garden. In comparison to the Marrakech, I must stay that I wish that I would have selected the Pennsylvania from the outset, as it's location and ambience are far superior to the former. Virtually all modes of transportation through the city - Subway, Long Island Rail Road, Buses, Amtrak, you name it - are all available within a two-block radius (at the most). The pricing was also comparable, depending on when the reservations are made. The crowding in that part of town and in front of that hotel can be quite daunting, however, for those that aren't practiced in the art of dealing with large crowds, so patience and awareness of everything around you come in handy. One may believe that noise would be an issue - but if you get a room above the tenth floor (mine was on the 12th), then street noise is minimized, leading to decent sleep. There are 1,700 rooms in this hotel, which has a history that goes back to the heyday of the original Penn Station. While under constant improvement and remodeling, the rooms I have been in, on this trip and my previous two, preserved their vintage charm while offering modern amenities like wifi and flat-screen televisions.
As a surprisingly significant part of the day was spent in the hotel transition, I didn't have that much of a chance to do anything touristy in that afternoon. Besides, I needed the chance to rest a bit and do some work on this blog. So I waited for the early evening, while the sun was still up, to make my way to Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park.
This park is perhaps best known for its large arch structure, somewhat reminiscent of L'Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The sun was just beginning to set, and the park was still full of local denizens and tourists, judging by the accents heard in the conversation. A fountain sits about fifty yards in front of the arch, an arrangement which makes for some very interesting photographic possibilities. As I sat, nature's thermostat was gently reducing the temperature to a moderate, temperate feel, encouraging me to simply sit and take in the sights and sounds while the sun made its trek over the horizon.
One block from the park, sits a small but very welcoming vegan restaurant known as the Red Bamboo. This was where all of the "meat" products shown on the menu were actually replaced by soy protein substitute, even though the menu said "beef", "pork", or "chicken". Besides being surprisingly reasonable in price (especially given that this is Greenwich Village), the atmosphere was relaxed, and the clientele was unpretentious. The service was also excellent. I ordered an appetizer of BBQ "chicken", complete with the breaking and the BBQ sauce. Besides being spiced and textured in a way that the soy bore a striking resemblance to chicken, one of the most novel aspects of the experience was - no bone. Looks like a wing, tastes like a wing, and you can bite all the way through it without breaking your teeth.
I made my way back to the Penn and rested up, conserving my energy for the final two days where I plan on hitting the ground early and at a brisk pace.
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 9
A Sunday in New York didn’t seem complete without a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on Fifth Avenue just a hop/skip/jump away from Rockefeller Center. I attended the 10:15am mass, which featured Cardinal Timothy Dolan presiding. As it was Memorial Day, special mentions were given throughout for the Armed Services members attending, and the readings were delivered by those same service members. As one would expect, thousands of believers (and otherwise) attended, and having Cardinal Dolan officiate was an extra bonus. A few shots below demonstrate just how majestic this place is:
This is one of the many attractions in the City that is free-of-charge. Mass is held daily, so if you arrive in the morning, you should be able to spend at least a bit of time checking out the ornate interior.
Also, as another suggestion: Last year, I went to the Cathedral of St. John The Divine, in the Upper West Side. It’s similar in size to St. Patricks, and contains a similar level of artwork and sense of grandeur about the place, though it struck me as darker and more Gothic. Still, the admission was free when I attended.
After mass, I stopped briefly at the Gift Shop, then discovered a deli-like restaurant next door known as Toasties. A little on the pricey side, it nonetheless provided a healthy brunch and a chance for me to catch up a bit on this blog.
My next stop was to the Saturday Night Live exhibition, going on at 417 Fifth Avenue. The premise was a behind-the-scenes look at how an episode is produced in six days - from a blank piece of paper on Monday to the show’s airing on Saturday. Along the way, you see one of Lorne Michael’s desks, many of the props and costumes used in the show’s history, set designs and studio layout models, cue cards, scripts, and a host of other items. You also sit in a faux control room which goes into the Director’s role in shot selection, and end with being seated in a small representation of the studio, with the main stage in the front, the sketch stage to the right, and the music stage to the left.
You can also have your picture taken on the “set” of Weekend Update, with one of the hosts of that segment electronically introduced into the picture. It’s worth the price of admission, and as with many of the other places I went, it was included on the New York Pass.
(As a side note, those who are either professional project managers or otherwise take an interest in project management will likely be fascinated with this exhibit, as it describes an intense, compressed project management exercise performed every week.)
My next stop was the United Nations Visitor Center. As with the cathedrals and some other attractions in the city, getting in is free of charge. As one would expect, security is tight there - you’ll need your ID to get in, and they will take a photograph of you which will appear on your pass. You also go through metal detectors and get similar treatment to being in an airport TSA screening.
Once in the visitor center itself, you’ll see an extended exhibit dealing with food production, GMOs, and the inter-connection with human-caused global climate change. You’ll also see a large mural detailing some of the UN’s current projects. Also found are a working conference chamber, a separate meditation room, and a listing of all of the former Secretaries-General of the UN. What struck me about this visit, however, was that there seemed to be a lot of “space” between exhibits, both within the Visitor Center and outside. It wasn’t crammed-to-the-gills with “stuff”, this, the viewer is provided ample to time to view, read, and digest the experience.
After an extended wait for the cross-town bus and trip up the 1 line back to the Marrakech, I was back in my room, resting and doing a bit of “housekeeping” .
But I needed some live music, somewhere. I also didn’t want to head down to Greenwich Village to get it. So where was it, in my neck of the woods?
It turns out, that there is a Jazz supper club on 105th and Broadway, called Smoke. That’s only two streets away from the Marrakech, so a no brainer it was. I don’t recall the name of the act who played that night, but they did not disappoint. A trumpet, tenor saxophone, piano, upright bass, and drums kept the place swinging for the time I was there (about 1 1/2 sets), and there was no “cover” - though there was a $20 minimum meaning that if you’re like me - one drink per day is my limit - then the difference between my drink’s price and the $20 minimum was called a “surcharge”. No arguments made here - the music was good, and the waitress earned her tip.
So I walk out to find that there are sheets of rain pouring down. This was the kind of rain for which soap and shampoo would be the more appropriate response than a jacket. I thought differently about it for a second, until I opened the door and saw a gentlemen heading out, completely plastered, and stumbling outside to the retaining wall of the entrance. After that episode, I went back in and waited for a few minutes, but after seeing that the rain was not going to stop and the hotel only a few streets away (and the rain was not cold by any means), I dashed out the door and made my way through the sheets of rain.
I wrung my clothes and myself out, and settled back into bed for more adventures the next day.
This is one of the many attractions in the City that is free-of-charge. Mass is held daily, so if you arrive in the morning, you should be able to spend at least a bit of time checking out the ornate interior.
Also, as another suggestion: Last year, I went to the Cathedral of St. John The Divine, in the Upper West Side. It’s similar in size to St. Patricks, and contains a similar level of artwork and sense of grandeur about the place, though it struck me as darker and more Gothic. Still, the admission was free when I attended.
After mass, I stopped briefly at the Gift Shop, then discovered a deli-like restaurant next door known as Toasties. A little on the pricey side, it nonetheless provided a healthy brunch and a chance for me to catch up a bit on this blog.
My next stop was to the Saturday Night Live exhibition, going on at 417 Fifth Avenue. The premise was a behind-the-scenes look at how an episode is produced in six days - from a blank piece of paper on Monday to the show’s airing on Saturday. Along the way, you see one of Lorne Michael’s desks, many of the props and costumes used in the show’s history, set designs and studio layout models, cue cards, scripts, and a host of other items. You also sit in a faux control room which goes into the Director’s role in shot selection, and end with being seated in a small representation of the studio, with the main stage in the front, the sketch stage to the right, and the music stage to the left.
You can also have your picture taken on the “set” of Weekend Update, with one of the hosts of that segment electronically introduced into the picture. It’s worth the price of admission, and as with many of the other places I went, it was included on the New York Pass.
(As a side note, those who are either professional project managers or otherwise take an interest in project management will likely be fascinated with this exhibit, as it describes an intense, compressed project management exercise performed every week.)
My next stop was the United Nations Visitor Center. As with the cathedrals and some other attractions in the city, getting in is free of charge. As one would expect, security is tight there - you’ll need your ID to get in, and they will take a photograph of you which will appear on your pass. You also go through metal detectors and get similar treatment to being in an airport TSA screening.
Once in the visitor center itself, you’ll see an extended exhibit dealing with food production, GMOs, and the inter-connection with human-caused global climate change. You’ll also see a large mural detailing some of the UN’s current projects. Also found are a working conference chamber, a separate meditation room, and a listing of all of the former Secretaries-General of the UN. What struck me about this visit, however, was that there seemed to be a lot of “space” between exhibits, both within the Visitor Center and outside. It wasn’t crammed-to-the-gills with “stuff”, this, the viewer is provided ample to time to view, read, and digest the experience.
After an extended wait for the cross-town bus and trip up the 1 line back to the Marrakech, I was back in my room, resting and doing a bit of “housekeeping” .
But I needed some live music, somewhere. I also didn’t want to head down to Greenwich Village to get it. So where was it, in my neck of the woods?
It turns out, that there is a Jazz supper club on 105th and Broadway, called Smoke. That’s only two streets away from the Marrakech, so a no brainer it was. I don’t recall the name of the act who played that night, but they did not disappoint. A trumpet, tenor saxophone, piano, upright bass, and drums kept the place swinging for the time I was there (about 1 1/2 sets), and there was no “cover” - though there was a $20 minimum meaning that if you’re like me - one drink per day is my limit - then the difference between my drink’s price and the $20 minimum was called a “surcharge”. No arguments made here - the music was good, and the waitress earned her tip.
So I walk out to find that there are sheets of rain pouring down. This was the kind of rain for which soap and shampoo would be the more appropriate response than a jacket. I thought differently about it for a second, until I opened the door and saw a gentlemen heading out, completely plastered, and stumbling outside to the retaining wall of the entrance. After that episode, I went back in and waited for a few minutes, but after seeing that the rain was not going to stop and the hotel only a few streets away (and the rain was not cold by any means), I dashed out the door and made my way through the sheets of rain.
I wrung my clothes and myself out, and settled back into bed for more adventures the next day.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 8
First full day in New York City.
I had been to the Apple Grande twice before, but still, in a city like this only repeat visits will provide any satisfaction that you actually achieve in getting a true sense of the city. One of the places I'd yet to visit was the Cloisters, an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art which focuses on monastic and Christian artifacts from the Middle Ages. The building itself takes the form of a Middle Ages monastery, situated on the top of a hill overlooking the upper portion of Manhattan Island. Like any monastery, actually getting to it can be quite the task, and unless you know about the M4 bus which takes to directly to the Cloisters' front door (which I was not privy to at the time - thank you Google Maps), then you'll have to hike your way up there. The walk I took started about 1/4 mile or so away from the park in which the museum is situated, and after several winding roads, wrong turns and asking "WTF" of the Google Maps app, I finally get across the street and into the park. Now we get to the real task - of course, the paths wind up, and up, and UP, and are long and offer little relief in terms of downhill stretches. Toward the merciful end of my jaunt, during an increasing warm and humid morning, I found shade and stopped, at one time soaked in sweat and panting so much I thought I was hyperventilating. I knew I needed to get back into shape, but this told me how much further I had to go to be able to declare myself as “in shape”. Finally, I get to the front door with a few other people, wait until the 10:00 opening time, and am welcomed in to air conditioned relief - albeit with more steps. This is a place where, if you don't know about the bus line that takes you there, you need to EARN your way to the entrance.
Once inside, however, you’re taken back to those medieval times.
Those who currently subscribe to Catholic, Episcopal, or similar traditions will immediately recognize many of the articles used in church services: the chalices, the crucifixes, the vestments, and other like articles are on display. Among the many religious-themed artifacts that I found of interest was this fierce-appearing lecturn, dominated by the sculpture of an eagle:
(Imagine being in the congregation and listening to a sermon or a bible reading given from this lecturn. Forget being able to see the person giving the sermon or reading - the eagle is seeming to make the, uh, point.)
The preserved frescoes and statues were also given a good and deserved amount of space, most of them religious in nature but some secular, such as this image of a unicorn doing battle...
...and there is a room devoted to the effigies and crypts used by the royalty of those days. The gardens, with their variations in bloom and hue, offer a welcome respite to the gray interior, and the entire structure overlooks the Hudson River, creating stunning vistas of the water and of the state of New Jersey just across it Admission for one adult is $25, but it’s included in many of the discount programs such as the New York City Pass and The Explorer Pass.
My next stop was back in Midtown, at the Paley Center for Media. Not a true “museum” per se (since there are no physical artifacts), the Paley Center is essentially a library of historic television and radio programming, extending from the early part of the 20th century through today. Admission will give you 90 minutes of time to browse the collection - I looked at various documentaries, news events, and sporting events from the 1960s, including parts of Super Bowl III. The Center is located on 52nd Street, about two building away from the CBS Headquarters Building (where the Center’s namesake, William Paley, made his reputation as a broadcasting pioneer.) As above, admission was part of the New York Pass.
Toward the end of the day (which I called early due to an oncoming headache brought on, in part, by what I suspect to be dehydration), I stopped at the City Museum of New York. Located on the museum-heavy Fifth Avenue (along Central Park), the museum deals with the history of what used to be called New Amsterdam when the Dutch set up an outpost at the southern tip of Manhattan Island around 400 years ago, only to be overrun by the British and the resultant name change to New York. A theater on the third floor shows a multi-screened movie giving the 30,000 view of this history: the huge role of immigrants throughout the years, its former days as a manufacturing mecca, it’s evolution into a financial mecca, and the divide between the haves and have-nots which has plagued the city from virtually its inception. There were also exhibits on the role of activism (left wing AND right wing), the role of comics in shaping public opinion, and an exhibit which goes into the role of Yiddish theater. In all, a fascinating take on a fascinating city. As above, admission is part of the City Pass.
As I stated above, I called this day a bit early due to a headache I was trying to prevent from becoming a huge problem, and because of the exhausting from huffing it up to the Cloisters earlier in the day. I had four more days to explore, so better to rest now and be ready to hit the ground running.
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 7
I roll into the Marrakech Hotel, on 103rd and Broadway in the Upper West Side, two overstuffed bags in tow, one on rollers and one on my back. I hiked up the two flights of stairs to Registration (no elevators in this place), checked in and paid my toll for three nights of sleep in their abode, then was handed the keys to room 15. Thankfully, there are no more steps to hike up.
On first glance, the room appeared to be in order, and as expected was clean. The Indian theme of the hotel was made most prevalent in the window curtains, which were draped in the way you would find them in movies set in the same country. The air conditioning was a single unit, externally mounted from the outside, and apparently had no automatic shutoff. It was either on or off, and it was most certainly "on" when I came in. The place looked like it had, at the least, a fresh coat of paint, though it was admittedly a little smaller than what I was envisioning. There were also a couple of areas - such as the shower rod having a tenuous relationship with the mounting screws in the wall and the fact that the carpets in the visitors area looked like they haven't been shampooed since Prince Siddhartha was walking this mortal coil - where the fit and finish needed some work. Finally, while the Marrakech offers wifi as part of it's room payment, the service was not particularly fast or reliable, forcing me to rely on my smart phone as a hot spot.
So my verdict on the Marrakech Hotel is: it worked for the three days I was there. The subway stop to the 1 line was within steps of the entrance, and as you would expect in New York, there are plenty of eateries and cafes within walking distance. The northern part of Central Park is also just two streets away. I would only go there, however, during off-peak times of the year, and at that, only if they are offering rate specials. The place has promise, but it is small and there are some issues they need to address.
The rates vary between $150 - $299/night, depending on the room selected and the time of year.
On first glance, the room appeared to be in order, and as expected was clean. The Indian theme of the hotel was made most prevalent in the window curtains, which were draped in the way you would find them in movies set in the same country. The air conditioning was a single unit, externally mounted from the outside, and apparently had no automatic shutoff. It was either on or off, and it was most certainly "on" when I came in. The place looked like it had, at the least, a fresh coat of paint, though it was admittedly a little smaller than what I was envisioning. There were also a couple of areas - such as the shower rod having a tenuous relationship with the mounting screws in the wall and the fact that the carpets in the visitors area looked like they haven't been shampooed since Prince Siddhartha was walking this mortal coil - where the fit and finish needed some work. Finally, while the Marrakech offers wifi as part of it's room payment, the service was not particularly fast or reliable, forcing me to rely on my smart phone as a hot spot.
So my verdict on the Marrakech Hotel is: it worked for the three days I was there. The subway stop to the 1 line was within steps of the entrance, and as you would expect in New York, there are plenty of eateries and cafes within walking distance. The northern part of Central Park is also just two streets away. I would only go there, however, during off-peak times of the year, and at that, only if they are offering rate specials. The place has promise, but it is small and there are some issues they need to address.
The rates vary between $150 - $299/night, depending on the room selected and the time of year.
Monday, May 30, 2016
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 6
I've got a few days of catch up to do, in large part because of the ever-quickening pace that comes with being in the aura of the Big Apple, and because of my need for recovery from all the motley. So, we'll start with the final leg of the trip that got me here.
March 27, 2016
It's 4:30 or so in the morning. I'm on the Capitol Limited high-balling to Pittsburgh, having only a few hours of sleep due to the knowledge that I would have to disembark at about 5:30 or so. The sun just starts to peek out from the eastern horizon at a little after 5:00, to reveal hills in silhouette and the mist covering the valleys and the towns situated within them. As the sun continues to slowly rise, the colors make themselves more known: intense shades of the greens of the trees and growth, the rusts of the industrial structures, the varying hues of the a-frames and Victorians, of both wood and brick construction, that pass us by. The sky itself becomes and increasingly glorious blue, without a patch of white or gray to suggest precipitation.
We roll into Pittsburgh. One can see in short order, just from the distance, that there seemed to be much more to this city than Big Oil and the rust of dilapidated, abandoned industries. The city seemed to have much in common with the smaller towns we encountered previously, as it's nestled in wooded hillsides, and serves as the meeting point between three distinct rivers.
After about a 90 minute layover, we board the Pennsylvanian to begin the final leg to New York City.
Between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, we encountered much of the same type of topography on the first half of the trip. Outside the coach seat window, we observed Huntingdon, a town containing what looked to be an antiques mall running along the route. For some reason, when I looked at the mall and the antiques alongside of it, the two words that came to my mind were "shabby chic". The Horseshoe Curve was also along the route, a huge curve cut into the hillsides that formed the boundary of a small lake and valley gorge underneath. The curve is sharp enough to that if you're at either end of the train, you can see the the other end of your train as you're traveling. Many a photographer-in-desire were pulling out their video cameras, iPhones, and SLRs to capture the vast vistas.
Another highlight of this part of the trip was passing by the Altoona Rail Museum. A roundhouse appears to be the centerpiece, along with the varying ages of rolling stock and locomotives in and around it. A group of kids can be seen playing on one of the small play areas on the museum grounds. I could spend hours at a place like this, so if I'm in these parts again, I just might stop in for an extended look-see.
After an extended stop in Harrisburg, we eventually arrived in Philadelphia. A mystery ensued soon after we pulled in, as the head locomotive was detached from the train consist. Why is this, we wondered? Was there something wrong with the prime mover? More brake problems, as I had on the Empire Builder just before coming into Chicago? It took over one hour to get a catenary-line powered prime mover. OK, I understand now. The tracks are enclosed for a great distance going into Penn Station, and to run Diesel power down in those tubes and the station itself would be literally suicide. After a sustained period of no power (and thus, no air conditioning and water pumps, thus no running water or ability to flush the commodes - I'll leave the resultant smells to your imagination), we finally linked up to our new prime mover, and soon after we exited the station, we took off. Literally. The speeds we obtained with the new loco were considerably more than the 80 miles per hour which is the operational limit of diesel power - considering the rate at which scenery was blurring past, this struck me as taking an Acela trip without paying the Acela price. This was not just high-balling - this was hauling ass. And given the amount of time waiting in a sweltering train consist, it fit me just fine.
We sped through the rest of Philadelphia and the communities of New Jersey. Among the sites along this route was the sight of Prudential Arena (home of the New Jersey Devils) situated only a few blocks from the crushing poverty of the surrounding areas of Newark. After speeding through the rest of the state, we found ourselves in one of the tubes that led to Penn Station. We stopped in, I hauled my backpack and roll around (I over-packed for this trip, and it was becoming quite obvious to me as I hauled my literal and figurative booty up the steel steps to the station), I snaked my way around the bustling masses and found a service booth, where I purchased my 7-day transit pass for $32. These MetroPasses come in handy, and are a virtual passport to the city, especially if you don't make the mistake of trying to drive in it, especially in Midtown or the Financial District. I took the 1 train Uptown to 103rd street, hauled my literal and figurative booty up two more flights of steps (again) up to the street level, and my hotel was just a few steps across the street. Right there, in sight.
I'll have more about the Marrakech Hotel in my next post.
More Later.
March 27, 2016
It's 4:30 or so in the morning. I'm on the Capitol Limited high-balling to Pittsburgh, having only a few hours of sleep due to the knowledge that I would have to disembark at about 5:30 or so. The sun just starts to peek out from the eastern horizon at a little after 5:00, to reveal hills in silhouette and the mist covering the valleys and the towns situated within them. As the sun continues to slowly rise, the colors make themselves more known: intense shades of the greens of the trees and growth, the rusts of the industrial structures, the varying hues of the a-frames and Victorians, of both wood and brick construction, that pass us by. The sky itself becomes and increasingly glorious blue, without a patch of white or gray to suggest precipitation.
We roll into Pittsburgh. One can see in short order, just from the distance, that there seemed to be much more to this city than Big Oil and the rust of dilapidated, abandoned industries. The city seemed to have much in common with the smaller towns we encountered previously, as it's nestled in wooded hillsides, and serves as the meeting point between three distinct rivers.
After about a 90 minute layover, we board the Pennsylvanian to begin the final leg to New York City.
Between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, we encountered much of the same type of topography on the first half of the trip. Outside the coach seat window, we observed Huntingdon, a town containing what looked to be an antiques mall running along the route. For some reason, when I looked at the mall and the antiques alongside of it, the two words that came to my mind were "shabby chic". The Horseshoe Curve was also along the route, a huge curve cut into the hillsides that formed the boundary of a small lake and valley gorge underneath. The curve is sharp enough to that if you're at either end of the train, you can see the the other end of your train as you're traveling. Many a photographer-in-desire were pulling out their video cameras, iPhones, and SLRs to capture the vast vistas.
Another highlight of this part of the trip was passing by the Altoona Rail Museum. A roundhouse appears to be the centerpiece, along with the varying ages of rolling stock and locomotives in and around it. A group of kids can be seen playing on one of the small play areas on the museum grounds. I could spend hours at a place like this, so if I'm in these parts again, I just might stop in for an extended look-see.
After an extended stop in Harrisburg, we eventually arrived in Philadelphia. A mystery ensued soon after we pulled in, as the head locomotive was detached from the train consist. Why is this, we wondered? Was there something wrong with the prime mover? More brake problems, as I had on the Empire Builder just before coming into Chicago? It took over one hour to get a catenary-line powered prime mover. OK, I understand now. The tracks are enclosed for a great distance going into Penn Station, and to run Diesel power down in those tubes and the station itself would be literally suicide. After a sustained period of no power (and thus, no air conditioning and water pumps, thus no running water or ability to flush the commodes - I'll leave the resultant smells to your imagination), we finally linked up to our new prime mover, and soon after we exited the station, we took off. Literally. The speeds we obtained with the new loco were considerably more than the 80 miles per hour which is the operational limit of diesel power - considering the rate at which scenery was blurring past, this struck me as taking an Acela trip without paying the Acela price. This was not just high-balling - this was hauling ass. And given the amount of time waiting in a sweltering train consist, it fit me just fine.
We sped through the rest of Philadelphia and the communities of New Jersey. Among the sites along this route was the sight of Prudential Arena (home of the New Jersey Devils) situated only a few blocks from the crushing poverty of the surrounding areas of Newark. After speeding through the rest of the state, we found ourselves in one of the tubes that led to Penn Station. We stopped in, I hauled my backpack and roll around (I over-packed for this trip, and it was becoming quite obvious to me as I hauled my literal and figurative booty up the steel steps to the station), I snaked my way around the bustling masses and found a service booth, where I purchased my 7-day transit pass for $32. These MetroPasses come in handy, and are a virtual passport to the city, especially if you don't make the mistake of trying to drive in it, especially in Midtown or the Financial District. I took the 1 train Uptown to 103rd street, hauled my literal and figurative booty up two more flights of steps (again) up to the street level, and my hotel was just a few steps across the street. Right there, in sight.
I'll have more about the Marrakech Hotel in my next post.
More Later.
Friday, May 27, 2016
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, Part 5
5:42pm. Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge, Chicago Union Station
This one is going to be a two-fer. That is, two days described in a single article.
Yesterday, I made the move from the Ohio House Motel to the Marriott at UIC. It’s about two miles west of the downtown area, and has the usual atmosphere one would expect from a Marriott, but not quite as expensive as a Marriott in the downtown area. After a bit of housekeeping and setting up shop, as far as my computer and clothes were concerned, I got out of the hotel at about noon to head to the Field Museum.
Located at the Museum Campus on the lake shore (and next to Soldier Field), the Field contained several exhibits of varying sizes, and as seen from the inside as from the outside, the place is massive. As an appetizer, and as part of my City Pass coupon, I started my jaunt there with a 3-D movie about Egypt and mummification. The film touched on the role of DNA analysis, and how the currently preserved Pharaohs still had their DNA intact in their bone marrow. The potential discoveries from this type of analysis seem endless.
Next was the extensive exhibit on the evolution of life on Earth, including a large section on dinosaurs. Fascinating topic and exhibits, even if it’s something I’ve seen before in other museums. Included in the collection is Lucy, the most complete dino skeleton found and assembled. You can see the details of the bones throughout the structure, including places of calcification and possible damage. There is also a smallish exhibit on birds’ direct lineage to the prehistoric dinosaurs. There were also smaller exhibits on meteorites, vulcanism, and the culture and artifacts of Tibet.
You will need at least one full day to get through the Field, and many of the events cost extra, in addition to the ticket price. But the Field boasts an enviable collection of artifacts, natural and otherwise, and if done as part of the City Pass coupon, may be worth the trip.
My next stop was to be the Alder Planetarium, which was a short walk away. But, by the time I got there, it was closed. Better luck tomorrow, I said to myself. I wanted to take a Chicago River Tour, and Seadog offered these tours on their hundred-seat speedboats for $40/person. I made a reservation, and after figuring out the mass transit situation, headed over to the Navy Pier.
The Navy Pier is probably one of the biggest tourist traps I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them. It contains probably one of the highest densities of trinket/souvenir/novelty shops per person that I’ve ever seen, so I thought, OK, steer clear of those places. Still, though, I couldn’t resist a small bowl of “Chicago Snow” (a non-milk, cream-ice product), which may as well have been falling as soon as I started into it because the rain and thunder came in with a vengeance. Rain pelted the Pier, the windows, and everywhere else in Chicago as I sat and wondered about my boat reservation. Will they cancel? Can I get my money back?
I had these questions in my mind when i sauntered down toward the end of the Pier (all indoors, but with a sieve-like roof), and discovered a Tiffany stained-glass window gallery. A small gallery, but the price was good: $0. The exhibits took on a church-like aura even though some of the themes were not directly related to religion. Definitely something to stop by if you're in the area.
I then headed to the Billy Goat Tavern Grill. Here, I discovered that the concept of “salami” here was different than what I was accustomed to - a large patty that covered the bun like a hamburger patty rather than what I find on a pizza. Still, with the condiments applied liberally, it worked. Not what I would call wall-to-wall nutrition, but just enough to take the edge off.
The rain was continuing to pour down, so I walked over to the Seadog office. They told me that yes, my 7:15 architecture tour would be cancelled, and they kindly refunded me. Next time I’m in Chi-Town, I’ll give them a ring…
This day demonstrated why changing hotels in mid-stream may not be the best decision. I took the Marriott because I have points with their rewards program and wanted to add to them. But, for future reference, the better choice would have been to stay at the Ohio House. Lesson learned.
Fast forward to today.
After packing my bags and leaving them in storage with the bell hop, I took the “L” Pink Line back downtown, and then Bus 146 to the Alder Planetarium. Again, this trip was made possible by the City Pass coupon book - if you’re there for but a few days, get it. After a bit of browsing of the exhibits (most of which seemed to be geared for kids, who were found in quantity and mostly in field trip groups), I headed to the main dome theater for two shows - one pertaining to the “wonders of the cosmos”, the other dealing with the solar system. Both were led by live guides as opposed to a faceless narrator, which I found interesting. The first show was created in a way that could be easily understood by most in the audience, and didn’t disappoint as far as using the dome for full warp-speed effect. The second show, however, was definitely meant for the kids: cheesy, hokey, and requires someone of my age or older (or slightly younger) to turn off the more “mature” portion of their brains and pretend you’re a kid to enjoy.
I didn't stay too long in the Alder, as I was limited on my tourism time and I wanted to see the Museum of Broadcast Communications. I had heard about this place soon after I arrived in Chicago, I think it was listed on one of the Google maps I use to plan these jaunts. I negotiated the mass transit, then walked a few blocks to said museum. Places like this are, for me, like a candy store to a kid, and while the Museum was a bit on the small side, it didn't disappoint. The first thing you see are the doors used on Oprah Winfrey's long-running TV show. Up the stairs to the second floor, and you're greeted by a sculpture, shaped in a pyramid and about fifteen feet tall, made up of old electronic equipment and TV monitors, some of which were showing TV shows from the fifties through the eighties. Turn left and in, and you're greeted by the Radio Hall of Fame. Here, you'll find the names of some of the people you may listen to now, or have in the past. I recognized the names of Jim Dunbar, Ronn Owens, and Mike Luckhoff (KGO Radio San Francisco), Rush Limbaugh (insert Bronx cheer here), Vin Scully, and many others. There was also an exhibit devoted to Johnny Carson's tenure on The Tonight Show, including cue cards, monologue notes, props, costumes, and other related memorabilia. There were the exhibits dealing with vintage TV commercials, musical/drama/comedy/variety shows, and other aspects of vintage broadcasting. There is also a display of Edgar Bergen's original, made-of-wood alter egos, including Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. Even people with a passing interest in old TV or radio shows will likely find this museum to be a trip back to their own childhoods and formative years. In short, it's $12/adult well spent.
(As a point of trivia, the founder and curator of the museum is a nephew of broadcasting pioneer Allan B. DuMont. I recommend googling him - he's a key figure in TV's infancy, both from a manufacturing perspective and a content provider, having founded the DuMont Network).
After interesting conversation with one of the researchers and with the receptionist, I slid out, having completed tourism of this town to which I must return. Grabbed a bit of lunch, checked out a used bookstore (After Words), then headed back to the Marriott to collect my bags, finalize my packing, then call for Uber to take me to Union Station.
As I'm typing this now, I'm on the Capitol Limited, somewhere in Indiana and headed toward Pittsburgh. As with my other trips, I had dinner with three former strangers, all of whom were train enthusiasts of a degree much higher than me (and that's saying a lot!), and I heard the stories of various routes and their trips to Washington DC, Baltimore, and New York. They're apparently going to be in New York next Tuesday - I might see them there.
Enough for tonight. Tomorrow is another adventure.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, part 4
The Big Apple and the Big Bean Dip, part 4
After a bit of housekeeping, I started out at a new coffee shop, Asado Coffee Roasters, on West Erie Street across from UNAM. Today, it was a one-woman show as one person was playing both roles of barista and cashier. The non-fat mocha came out well, with the right balance of espresso and cocoa. I’ll recommend it as an alternative to the chains, if you happen to be in these parts.
I used my Ventra card (these come in handy - I recommend looking into them!) to take the 66 bus down to Michigan Avenue, to take my downtrodden laptop to the Apple Store for what I hoped would be an inexpensive repair, which turned out to be the case (a crashed hard drive, but under warranty, and most of my documents are saved on cloud servers anyway). While the machine was undergoing surgery, I played tourist and headed to Millennium Park. I made witness to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a lovely amphitheater with a large metal sculpture above the stage which, to me, is reminiscent of the sails of a large sailing ship:
Next, was the Cloud Gate Sculpture, otherwise known as the Big Bean:
Like the fountain in Grant Park, this sculpture was a tourist magnet, with people of different nationalities snapping selfies and group photos around the the reflection provided by this sculpture-serving-as-a-mind-trip. If you really want a psychedelic effect, or a case of vertigo, walk underneath the bean and take a photo straight up:
The reflections are, in a word, a trip.
I then walked a few blocks, down to the Michigan And Wacker Corner Bakery Cafe. It turned out to be a reasonably priced place to get a quick lunch, especially consider that were were on the tony “Magnificent Mile”. I had a spicy chicken wrap (and boy, was it spicy!), and a pineapple and mango smoothie. I also couldn’t resist in indulging in a Blueberry Hand Pie and a Vanilla Whoopie Pie. I knew I was going to walk it off, anyway, so why not. I was just finishing my last bite when the Apple Store called to tell me the computer was finished.
After a few hours of rest back at the hotel (and additional laptop setup), I headed back out to Grant Park. I wanted to see it, and the surrounding area, while the sun was still out. The scene was idyllic for this city and this time of year: bicyclists, walkers, and joggers negotiating their way around each other on Lake Shore Boulevard and the walkway next to the lake, the occasional couple or family on the lawns, the sound of the lake lapping against the retaining wall, the sailboats and powerboats in the near distance. I continued up the walkway, which branched out in different directions that took you to the Shedd Aquarium, the Planetarium, Field Museum, and Soldier Field. All of those attractions within a very short walking distance from each other - uncommonly wise planning for most cities I can name. I plan on heading back here for at least one of the attractions prior to departing for New York.
I took the 6 bus over to The Gage, a higher-end eatery and bar with what looked to be a higher-end clientele. Prepare to spend if you go here: my fish and chips (which were quite good) and Chimay ale went for $34 without the tip. This is one of those places where you pay as much for the atmosphere and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the well-heeled as much as for the food or drink. Afterward, I took the “L” for the first time in 5 years back to the hotel.
More tomorrow.
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