Though my heart was prepared to stay, my wallet finally got my attention and I have ended my adventure in New York. I want to end my blog with two stories. The first is about my final day in the Big Apple. I woke early for Central Park to wait in line for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park's presentation of The Merchant of Venice. I waited in line until the ticket office opened at 1:00 p.m. Because the forecast was for rain, not too many people were ahead of me and I knew that I would get tickets.
After getting my ticket, I walked around Amsterdam and Broadway and ended up at the Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center. If you want to see famous performers, this is the place as many work in the area. By the way, if you see someone famous in New York, do not make a big deal of it, unless you want to be branded a tourist and possibly a rude tourist. New Yorkers tend to give the famous a wide berth, out of respect I think but also because, it is not such a big deal to see them.
I visited some of the places that held my best memories and a few new place. In the park I spent quite a bit of time in Shakespeare's Garden which is near the Delacorte Theater and quite beautiful. Finally, the time came for the play, which featured Al Pacino, as Shylock. My seats were incredible with Mr. Pacino only feet away. He could have been speaking Greek and I would have understood every word he said. What a masterful actor! What a city.
The other event took place several days after I made the decision to leave New York. I was working at Lane Bryant. I had a customer who was reluctant to try on any clothes which she deigned different from what she usually wore. Finally I got her to try on a top which looked fabulous on her. She agreed but commented, "Where would I wear this?" I responded that she should wear it to go out on Saturday. She indicated that the only went to the laundry on Saturdays. I started considering this and began to get angry. Why should this lady get to live in New York, where she doesn't do anything on Saturday but her laundry, but I have to leave. I asked her, "When was the last time you went to the MET?" I began to actually go off on her about all the things there were to do in this city for free. Finally, I noticed that this lady was moving back from me. She was looking at me as though I were holding a gun and I realized that I was way over the top. Anyway, I backed off and apologized but the incident has stayed with me.
This is what I think. I have been given a gift and it is called opportunity. I have learned that life is to be lived. I have learned that everything that comes your way is a new adventure and you should embrace it with arms wide open.
Right now I am back in my hometown for the first time in nineteen years and it feels great, so for now my adventure is here. But on my Bookmark page are at least seven web sites for companies which sponsor people who wish to teach overseas. No matter where I land, for the rest of my years, life is a great "Perhaps."
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Coming Home
I visited Texas over spring break. My son Doug and his wife Kelli made me a first time grandmother. I am in love and their names are Doug III and Brecken. But that's a blog for later.
Something interesting happened while I was in Texas. I was visiting with a friend and as I unfolded a scarf I carried for warmth, I told a friend her, "You Southerners sure keep your buildings cold." She looked at me and responded, "You Southerners."
I tell you this, because, in addition to this second experience, I have had an epiphany. On the flight home it was a clear night and I enjoyed my window view. As we flew over cities, the lights looked like giant dazzling spider webs. After the captain announced we were 30 miles from New York City, I kept watch for landmarks I would recognize. The first was the sight of lights, that covered the entire view from my window. The massive size of the New York Metropolitan area, is illustrated by the field of lights, relieved only by the Atlantic Ocean, the New York Harbor and the East River, when compared to those spider webs we passed earlier. The first body of land that I thought I recognized was Brooklyn. I made out what I thought were Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery, (blocks from my apartment. My thoughts were confirmed when I saw a cluster of skyscrapters, the tallest of which was arched, (The Hanson Building). My pulse rose when rising up above the edge of the window I saw the Brooklyn Bridge, and just to the right the Manhattan Bridge. Then the skyscrapers entered my view and I thrilled as the Empire State Building, lit that night in white lights rose up beyond all the others. Next came the elegant lady, the Chrysler Building. A little father along and there was Central Park. I am amazed by how much of Manhattan it encompasses. I recognized the Metropolitan Museum of Art carved out of the East side of the park and further down across the street was the cone of the Guggenheim. I can't tell you how excited I was that I recognized all these places and that in a way I own them. You see, I was home.
Something interesting happened while I was in Texas. I was visiting with a friend and as I unfolded a scarf I carried for warmth, I told a friend her, "You Southerners sure keep your buildings cold." She looked at me and responded, "You Southerners."
I tell you this, because, in addition to this second experience, I have had an epiphany. On the flight home it was a clear night and I enjoyed my window view. As we flew over cities, the lights looked like giant dazzling spider webs. After the captain announced we were 30 miles from New York City, I kept watch for landmarks I would recognize. The first was the sight of lights, that covered the entire view from my window. The massive size of the New York Metropolitan area, is illustrated by the field of lights, relieved only by the Atlantic Ocean, the New York Harbor and the East River, when compared to those spider webs we passed earlier. The first body of land that I thought I recognized was Brooklyn. I made out what I thought were Prospect Park and Greenwood Cemetery, (blocks from my apartment. My thoughts were confirmed when I saw a cluster of skyscrapters, the tallest of which was arched, (The Hanson Building). My pulse rose when rising up above the edge of the window I saw the Brooklyn Bridge, and just to the right the Manhattan Bridge. Then the skyscrapers entered my view and I thrilled as the Empire State Building, lit that night in white lights rose up beyond all the others. Next came the elegant lady, the Chrysler Building. A little father along and there was Central Park. I am amazed by how much of Manhattan it encompasses. I recognized the Metropolitan Museum of Art carved out of the East side of the park and further down across the street was the cone of the Guggenheim. I can't tell you how excited I was that I recognized all these places and that in a way I own them. You see, I was home.
Beware of yellow snow.
Now that the winter is just about over (we could actually have one more snow event according to the weatherman) I thought I should comment on the New York weather. I love it. We had three serious snow storms this winter and I loved each and every one. You can just look at the pictures to tell that it is beautiful. It is also lovely to be inside in a cozy space while the wind whirls the snow outside or to walk in the park and see how mother nature transforms the landscape. New York can be ugly and dirty looking at times, but in the snow she is breathless. Not everything about the snow is beautiful though. For one thing, there are these snowdrifts. You step into one and your leg is knee high in the stuff, or if there happens to be a curb under one, you will just tip right on over. Luckily the stuff is soft, so it cushions your fall, which other wise would land you flat on your face. The ice can be very slippery and of course this often means you can fall. The good thing is that you have on so many layers of clothing that you don't do much damage. People are required by law to clear the sidewalks in front of their homes within four hours of the time the snow stops falling. Problem is, they sweep it right into the street. Soon you have to cross a small snow mountain range to go from one side to the other. But the real hazard is yellow snow. That you do not want to fall into. In case you haven't figured it out, yellow snow is the creation of some canine who finds the snow a tempting place for territorial marking or just plain relief.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Another blizzard
It is February and we had another blizzard. This time we got a total of 17 inches. The snow literally pillowed on the branches of the Douglas Fir growing outside of my window. This time I stayed inside during the storm but got out two days later and took pictures in Prospect Park. Enjoy them.
It snowed last night
Last night we had 18 inches of snow and it was as close to a blizzard as I want to get. New York does not come to a halt when it snows. In fact it doesn't even pause. I work on 34th street across the street from Empire State Building. From the looks of things at 4:00 p.m., shoppers and tourist were out en masse, enjoying the sights and the bargains. However, by 7:00 p.m. the wind picked up and things began to empty out. The wind was so fierce, it hurt the skin on my face when I walked from Lane Bryant across the street to the Starbucks for a cup of coffee. Tiny splinters of ice pierce any exposed skin. The snow was blowing in torrents down the alley formed by the street, into the stores and down the subways. At this point, I was ready to go home but as I said, the Big Apple does not stop for a little snow, even though somebody forgot to tell the shoppers. We closed early at 9:30 and we left the store by 10:07. I arrived at the subway stop at 11:30 p.m. because the trains are slow on the weekends. The walk from the subway stop to my apartment was some trek. The wind was blowing and the snow made visibility difficult. Walking in deep snow drifts is trickier than you might think. I stepped off a curb only to have my leg up to my knee deep in snow. I fell completely over, luckily into deep snow so I injured little more than my pride. I am a slow learner since I did the same thing the next morning on the way back to work.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Che Ching, Che Ching, Chinatown
Shopping in Chinatown deserves its very own post. `
WARNING: BUYER BEWARE. Just in general.
Nothing in Chinatown is authentic. If you buy anything with a gold finish, jewelry, purses with metal, etc. it will rub off or turn green. Bronze finish is better.
AND DO NOT BUY ANYTHING WITH TECHNOLOGY CONNECTED TO IT.
NO PLASTIC ACCEPTED, YOU MUST BRING CASH.
BEWARE OF GOING BEHIND LOCKED DOORS
DO NOT EAT AT MCDONALD'S OR ANY OTHER CHAIN STORE. Eat at one of the Chinese Restaurants (I recommend the Excellent Dumpling House (which is noted by the New York Times.) All Chinese Restaurants take cash only. If you do not want Chinese, turn right or left on Mulberry to Little Italy and eat Italian.
Now having said that, I love shopping in Chinatown. On my first trip, I was looking for two purses. I wanted a yellow and a green one. I found them, one at each of two separate shops on Canal Street. They were gorgeous and just what I wanted. The original asking price was $40 and $45. I got one down to $35 and the other down to $40. $75 for two purses is not bad. I did not realize I would need cash. (Actually, I brought only what I budgeted but funny thing, spent more),so I had to go get cash at the local Bank of America, right there on Canal Street. When I returned, the store clerk began wrapping up my purse, then noticed something was wrong. He exclaimed, "Oh wrong label!" He went to the back and returned with a silver medallion. He then commenced to unscrew the medallion, on the purse, and replace it with one which proclaimed Giovanni Versache. I looked at him as though he was crazy. Surely he mistook me for someone who cared.
So, I walked out of there with my $40 "Versache" handbag, for which I later learned, I paid $10 too much.
NEVER PAY MORE THAN $30 FOR THE HANDBAGS IN THE SHOPS LINING CANAL STREET. You can get some of the same bags at the street fairs for $20 and some on the street for $5. I have a bag I bought on the street, for which I am constantly complemented, for $5. But then, I have a talent for picking out good looking hand bags.
On my most recent visit to Chinatown, I was shopping for a handbag for my sister-in-law, who wanted a "Chinatown Designer" handbag. It was a lesson in Chinatown shopping. This time, I did stick to my budget of $30. In Chinatown, you will be accosted by men and women who will secretively whisper to you, "Want Chanel, Gucci, Coach?" I decided to see what she, an attractive young girl of Chinese descent, in this case, had to offer. I followed her as she went down Canal street and turned left on a crowded side street. She handed me over to another gentleman, also of Chinese descent, in a shop, on this side street. He directed me to follow him. Now, I am not stupid, I would not have followed him had there not been several other tourist, including a substantial looking tourist gentleman included in this expedition. We went through, what I can only described, as a very obvious secret door (made from the same cheap white panels as the walls but with no doorknob.) I think we went through another door which the Chinese gentleman locked behind him. We then passed through two additional rooms until we finally arrived at our destination. This 10' X 10'room was lined with bags which were designated as, if not designed by, Chanel, Coach, Gucci and probably some other designer, but I was too flabbergasted too notice. These bags actually have the designer's names as part of the fabric or construction of the bag. I am not a person who understands wanting to have someone elses name on my person so I was less than impressed but asked, "What do you have for $30," which was my budget. He looked at me and with a straight face said, "Oh, these designer bags>" I tried another tactic and asked him which was his least expensive bag. He pointed to one of the Coach bags and quoted a price of $40. I told him I could buy the same bag on the street for $30.(Which I could in Queens but not Manhattan) He reiterated to my visage, endowed with my "teacher face," with which I have taken in too many "My baby sister tore up my homework" lines to count, that these were designer bags. I then asked him how much for the Chanel bag, the only one I actually found attractive. He responded, "Oh, Chanel bag most expensive. I told him I only had $30 to spend. His body language screamed insult at my ignorance of the value of the counterfeit, Chanel, etc. bag business. He did not budge. There were too many tourist willing to pay $40 or more for a rip off bag. What is the world coming to? So, I followed him out and did notice as we were leaving that I had been locked in this room which did not have even an exterior door knob, with a good 25 other people. I returned to the "Pink" shop which is where I find good prices and beautiful handbags. I prepared to make my purchase when I realized that I did not have $30 cash so I headed to the Bank of America.
Now stick with me, there is a reason for this bird walking. When I tried to get cash from the ATM machine, my card did not work. I went into the bank and signed up to see a representative. The gentleman who helped me was an American of Chinese descent. He competed in the New York Marathon, so he has my utmost respect. It took a while for him to get me a good card giving us time to visit. I told him about my strange visit to the back room. He was a good twenty-five years my junior, but he looked as if I were a recalcitrant child and said, "You know they had a police raid of those places last week." I responded that I thought that was a waste of police effort, since none of the people who buy that stuff believe it is really original, and would not buy the original, since, they do not have the money. He said, "Oh its not the merchandise. Its the locked doors. What would you have done if there had been a fire? The firemen would have no way to get to you, through the locked door, and how would all those people have gotten out of that narrow exit?" I know my naive and foolish face turned beet red. When my son, Christopher, reads this, he will just shake his head and wonder how in the world I survive in this City.
I can only ascertain that if the designer name is a permanent part of the bag, it will be more expensive. I have only shopped the shops along Canal Street. Chinatown is actually so large it completely surrounds (and apparently owns) Little Italy.
I get bored with handbags after one season so these are perfect for me. With a little care, that is about how long they will last.
WARNING: BUYER BEWARE. Just in general.
Nothing in Chinatown is authentic. If you buy anything with a gold finish, jewelry, purses with metal, etc. it will rub off or turn green. Bronze finish is better.
AND DO NOT BUY ANYTHING WITH TECHNOLOGY CONNECTED TO IT.
NO PLASTIC ACCEPTED, YOU MUST BRING CASH.
BEWARE OF GOING BEHIND LOCKED DOORS
DO NOT EAT AT MCDONALD'S OR ANY OTHER CHAIN STORE. Eat at one of the Chinese Restaurants (I recommend the Excellent Dumpling House (which is noted by the New York Times.) All Chinese Restaurants take cash only. If you do not want Chinese, turn right or left on Mulberry to Little Italy and eat Italian.
Now having said that, I love shopping in Chinatown. On my first trip, I was looking for two purses. I wanted a yellow and a green one. I found them, one at each of two separate shops on Canal Street. They were gorgeous and just what I wanted. The original asking price was $40 and $45. I got one down to $35 and the other down to $40. $75 for two purses is not bad. I did not realize I would need cash. (Actually, I brought only what I budgeted but funny thing, spent more),so I had to go get cash at the local Bank of America, right there on Canal Street. When I returned, the store clerk began wrapping up my purse, then noticed something was wrong. He exclaimed, "Oh wrong label!" He went to the back and returned with a silver medallion. He then commenced to unscrew the medallion, on the purse, and replace it with one which proclaimed Giovanni Versache. I looked at him as though he was crazy. Surely he mistook me for someone who cared.
So, I walked out of there with my $40 "Versache" handbag, for which I later learned, I paid $10 too much.
NEVER PAY MORE THAN $30 FOR THE HANDBAGS IN THE SHOPS LINING CANAL STREET. You can get some of the same bags at the street fairs for $20 and some on the street for $5. I have a bag I bought on the street, for which I am constantly complemented, for $5. But then, I have a talent for picking out good looking hand bags.
On my most recent visit to Chinatown, I was shopping for a handbag for my sister-in-law, who wanted a "Chinatown Designer" handbag. It was a lesson in Chinatown shopping. This time, I did stick to my budget of $30. In Chinatown, you will be accosted by men and women who will secretively whisper to you, "Want Chanel, Gucci, Coach?" I decided to see what she, an attractive young girl of Chinese descent, in this case, had to offer. I followed her as she went down Canal street and turned left on a crowded side street. She handed me over to another gentleman, also of Chinese descent, in a shop, on this side street. He directed me to follow him. Now, I am not stupid, I would not have followed him had there not been several other tourist, including a substantial looking tourist gentleman included in this expedition. We went through, what I can only described, as a very obvious secret door (made from the same cheap white panels as the walls but with no doorknob.) I think we went through another door which the Chinese gentleman locked behind him. We then passed through two additional rooms until we finally arrived at our destination. This 10' X 10'room was lined with bags which were designated as, if not designed by, Chanel, Coach, Gucci and probably some other designer, but I was too flabbergasted too notice. These bags actually have the designer's names as part of the fabric or construction of the bag. I am not a person who understands wanting to have someone elses name on my person so I was less than impressed but asked, "What do you have for $30," which was my budget. He looked at me and with a straight face said, "Oh, these designer bags>" I tried another tactic and asked him which was his least expensive bag. He pointed to one of the Coach bags and quoted a price of $40. I told him I could buy the same bag on the street for $30.(Which I could in Queens but not Manhattan) He reiterated to my visage, endowed with my "teacher face," with which I have taken in too many "My baby sister tore up my homework" lines to count, that these were designer bags. I then asked him how much for the Chanel bag, the only one I actually found attractive. He responded, "Oh, Chanel bag most expensive. I told him I only had $30 to spend. His body language screamed insult at my ignorance of the value of the counterfeit, Chanel, etc. bag business. He did not budge. There were too many tourist willing to pay $40 or more for a rip off bag. What is the world coming to? So, I followed him out and did notice as we were leaving that I had been locked in this room which did not have even an exterior door knob, with a good 25 other people. I returned to the "Pink" shop which is where I find good prices and beautiful handbags. I prepared to make my purchase when I realized that I did not have $30 cash so I headed to the Bank of America.
Now stick with me, there is a reason for this bird walking. When I tried to get cash from the ATM machine, my card did not work. I went into the bank and signed up to see a representative. The gentleman who helped me was an American of Chinese descent. He competed in the New York Marathon, so he has my utmost respect. It took a while for him to get me a good card giving us time to visit. I told him about my strange visit to the back room. He was a good twenty-five years my junior, but he looked as if I were a recalcitrant child and said, "You know they had a police raid of those places last week." I responded that I thought that was a waste of police effort, since none of the people who buy that stuff believe it is really original, and would not buy the original, since, they do not have the money. He said, "Oh its not the merchandise. Its the locked doors. What would you have done if there had been a fire? The firemen would have no way to get to you, through the locked door, and how would all those people have gotten out of that narrow exit?" I know my naive and foolish face turned beet red. When my son, Christopher, reads this, he will just shake his head and wonder how in the world I survive in this City.
I can only ascertain that if the designer name is a permanent part of the bag, it will be more expensive. I have only shopped the shops along Canal Street. Chinatown is actually so large it completely surrounds (and apparently owns) Little Italy.
I get bored with handbags after one season so these are perfect for me. With a little care, that is about how long they will last.
Shop til you drop
Christmas shopping in New York falls into two categories. Shopping for those who have money and for those who don't. Yes, even if you have little money, there is something for you. I will not discuss shopping for those with money, just stroll down 5th Avenue for up scale, 34th for name brand chain stores, are head to the lower East Side (Chelsea) where the designers and up and coming designers have shops. I found these just a little North of Greenwich Village, walking East from the High Line Park.
If you are in New York between April and November, take in the Street Fairs. You will find their locations by going to: http://www.nycstreetfairs.com/sched.html.
There is a little of everything at these fairs. There are many of the same handbags as in Chinatown but at a little better prices. There are "Pashminas," scarves as on the street, hats, gloves, and lots of food. These are good places to bargain. If you want to get scarves for gifts etc, you can offer to buy several and get a better price. There are frequently handmade items. Some of the jewelry is great. All fairs are not created equal. Those associated with an ethnic celebrations are usually pretty good. They are generally held on Saturday and Sunday, but occasionally will be on a Friday.` They are held in the street and go on for around ten blocks.
Christmas Bazaars are held between mid November and Christmas at Union Square, Grand Central Station and Columbus Circle. These feature more upscale and more expensive items. Vendors from many other places come to these bazaars so if you are shopping for something unique, these are the places for you.
After Christmas, the MET marks all their Christmas merchandise down 50 to 75 percent. I got some elegant Christmas ornaments for my tree. I imagine the other museums do the same. Actually, after Christmas and even better, after the New Year is a great time to shop in New York.
Places to find great prices on clothes are Century 21 (across the street from the World Trade Center Site, Bolton's,, H & M and Forever 21. You can also find Marshalls and Daffy's (similar to Marshalls). And for you Dallasites, you can find your long lost Loehman's. (And these Loehman's have not only great prices but individual dressing rooms.) There are more than one of each of these stores so go on line to find the destination most convenient for your visit.
If you are in New York between April and November, take in the Street Fairs. You will find their locations by going to: http://www.nycstreetfairs.com/sched.html.
There is a little of everything at these fairs. There are many of the same handbags as in Chinatown but at a little better prices. There are "Pashminas," scarves as on the street, hats, gloves, and lots of food. These are good places to bargain. If you want to get scarves for gifts etc, you can offer to buy several and get a better price. There are frequently handmade items. Some of the jewelry is great. All fairs are not created equal. Those associated with an ethnic celebrations are usually pretty good. They are generally held on Saturday and Sunday, but occasionally will be on a Friday.` They are held in the street and go on for around ten blocks.
Christmas Bazaars are held between mid November and Christmas at Union Square, Grand Central Station and Columbus Circle. These feature more upscale and more expensive items. Vendors from many other places come to these bazaars so if you are shopping for something unique, these are the places for you.
After Christmas, the MET marks all their Christmas merchandise down 50 to 75 percent. I got some elegant Christmas ornaments for my tree. I imagine the other museums do the same. Actually, after Christmas and even better, after the New Year is a great time to shop in New York.
Places to find great prices on clothes are Century 21 (across the street from the World Trade Center Site, Bolton's,, H & M and Forever 21. You can also find Marshalls and Daffy's (similar to Marshalls). And for you Dallasites, you can find your long lost Loehman's. (And these Loehman's have not only great prices but individual dressing rooms.) There are more than one of each of these stores so go on line to find the destination most convenient for your visit.
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