In summary: New York City had a life of it’s own in my head. In early August 2016, I visited there for the first time. On the first afternoon we visited Central Park and were there for hours, despite the jet lag. Day One started with a tour of the Intrepid and the Space Shuttle Enterprise, followed by the full two and a half hour cruise around Manhattan – south down the Hudson River into the Upper Harbor, up the East River under the “BMW” bridges, past Midtown and the UN, into the Harlem River, back south into the Hudson River, underneath the George Washington Bridge, past Grant’s Tomb, and finally back into port. To finish Day Two we had a death march to find a cab, went to the Mets game, left early only to miss the best part, and inadvertently stiffed a nice cab driver. Bright & early on Day Three we headed out toward Liberty Island – it’s hard to take a bad picture there, then went to Ellis Island. Bank on Manhattan, we went to World Trade Center Museum, which was emotional & grueling. Day Four started out with a trip to Times Square, after which we headed to the Empire State Building. The views of Manhattan were spectacular! Then we went to Yankee Stadium for a game. We got lucky and saw Alex Rodriguez’s final game & a huge thunderstorm. Day Five was “museum day,” starting with the Guggenheim.
On the lower levels of the Guggenheim as I wound my way down we got into the more “traditional” classic paintings.
Paul Cezanne, “Bibemus” – I absolutely love that one bright blue dot just to the right above center.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, “La femme a la perruche”
Edouard Manet, “Devant la glace” – all these dudes loved painting women, which is great!
Edgar Degas, “Danseuses vertes et jaunes”
Claude Monet, “Le Palais Ducal vu de Saint-Georges Majeur”
Pablo Picasso, “Le homard et le chat” – there were multiple pieces by most of these classical Masters, but this one by Picasso still cracks me up every time I see it. “Lobster and Cat”? Aside from the unique and amazing style, the concept and the expression on the cat’s face are just hilarious.
(Click to enlarge to full size)
No one was really dressed up for their visit, which was absolutely fine! Outside it was in the 90’s with 90+% humidity the whole time we were there.
Who knew that these guys had first names? I thought it was just “Monet,” “Degas,” and “Renoir.” Just like it’s “Elvis,” “Tiger,” and “Pele.” All so unique that they only needed one name.
One last look at the ultimate piece of art at the Guggenheim, the amazing architectural wonder created by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Another place I could have spent all day and then come back for more a hundred times. But, this being my first trip, if it’s Sunday we have a dozen more things to do, so that will have to wait until the next trip. Oooh, what’s that, another museum down there? Why yes, yes it is! Let’s start swimming through the heat and humidity down 5th Avenue!
