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<B> Epilogue – Reflections Of New York City </B>
Obviously, if you’ve read my report, you know how much we all loved New York City. I like to wait a few weeks after returning from a trip to make my selection of the places that had the biggest impact on me, and what turned out to be my favorites. I will comment on most. So I will list Tom and Tracy’s Top 15 New York City rankings and then follow them up with Kim and Mary’s Top 15 (these do not reflect restaurants or our hotel, which I will get to later). 15) Fraunces Tavern – I have to include a place where such an important event in our nation’s history took place. That I was able to partake in a cocktail afterward only made it that much better. 14) Ellis Island – If you think my ranking is low, Ellis Island doesn’t even make Kim and Mary’s Top 15. I know that many people who come here are quite moved by going to Ellis Island, but obviously it did not have the same effect for us. It was an interesting experience, and it was cool we could look up our relatives who came over more than a century before, but I thought the immigrant experience hit home more at the Tenement Museum. 13) Cathedral of St. John The Divine – My favorite church of the trip, although St. Paul’s 9-11 connection (on Kim and Mary’s list) was compelling. 12) Walking The Neighborhoods – And walk we did. Although my feet at times felt like they would give out, walking so much of NYC gave us a great perspective of this great city. From Greenwich Village to Park Avenue, we got a wonderful feel of NYC. Even at our slowest, I don’t think any of us ever impeded the flow of walking traffic on the sidewalks of New York. I saw the “Rules Of The Sidewalk” thread, and in the six days of walking around the city, we never saw any blatant violations of the “do’s and don’ts.” As far as jaywalking was concerned, Mary became quite a pro at it, and by the time we headed home, Kim had already written her eulogy, in part thanks to her many near-misses as cabs went whizzing by her as she scurried across the street against the light. 11) Riding The Subways – Whether Kim was pole dancing, or we were just getting a heads up from a knowledgeable local, riding the subway system of NYC was a blast and a great way to navigate the city. Thanks to so many New Yorkers, we never missed a stop. 10) Walking The Brooklyn Bridge – It was made even better by being able to walk it on such a beautiful day, although we all agree it would have been a good idea to subway to Brooklyn and walk back across the bridge. Now if they could just upgrade the sound system so visitors could know exactly where to get off without bothering anyone (although it’s a great way to meet locals). 9) The Tenement Museum – The story of the Irish immigrants living in such a cramped space was brought to life by our knowledgeable guide. 8) Climbing to The Crown of the Statue of Liberty – Although the view from the cramped Crown is kind of anticlimactic, especially after huffing and puffing up those 354 stairs, knowing that not many people were allowed to do it in a day, made it special for us. For me personally, I was just happy that I was healthy enough to accomplish the feat, something I thought impossible only nine months before. 7) Eataly – Yeah, it’s commercial. Yeah, it was built to make money, but so what. Capitalism has its place, and this is one of them. We were all blown away by the use of space in Eataly, and if I lived in NYC, I am sure it would be somewhere I visited often (sipping vino on the rooftop) and would be a highlight to show out-of-town visitors. I hope they put one in Los Angeles some day, although I don’t know if L.A. would support it like NYC does. Next time, I am going straight to Gelato and then grab a huge plate of prosciutto and sip wine in the center (yes, I often do things backwards). 6) High Line – Speaking of a great use of space, the former elevated freight train tracks, now an incredible urban park and walkway, is something to behold. Walk it at sunset as you look out over the river and as lights go on throughout NYC. Marvel at its ingenuity. Bravo!! 5) Metropolitan Museum Of Art - I rank it much higher than Kim and Mary, but that’s because I am now a serious MET member and dedicated art aficionado, while they are just freeloaders who don’t appreciate the nuances of great artists. Seriously, the museum is amazing and is a place, like many great art museums, that you could return to time and time again to see many of the paintings and sculptures you missed before. Tracy and I would definitely rent an audio guide the next time we go. I’ll wear a tie now that I am an important museum member. 4) The Morgan Library & Museum – We all agree on The Morgan Library. History, art, great pieces of literature all on display, and an audio guide that helps the place come alive. This was a big surprise for me, as I rarely went to the library in college. 3) Central Park – I rank Central Park as another big surprise. I had not been here since I was about 14. It didn’t hurt that the weather during the couple hours that we spent in the park was perfect. It’s funny, but the whole Strawberry Fields/Imagine Memorial did not make me want to sing All You Need Is Love, but the entire experience of walking in Central Park was enjoyable. 2) The Vibe Of NYC – “Electric.” That is the one word that sums up NYC to me. As I have stated time and time again, every person we met, whether on the subway, on the street, at our hotel or our many servers (although Tracy might disagree on my imaginary lover at Plunge) were helpful and pleasant. People in NYC move fast, they talk fast and get straight to the point. If there is a stereotype of a “gruff New Yorker,” we never met one. 1) The Frick Collection – Incredibly a museum takes top honor for Tracy and me. From the audio guides to the informative movie to the pieces in the collection, this place was our favorite. Kim and Mary’s Top 15: 15) NYC Library (Reading Room) – The library and its famed reading room just missed my list 14) Metropolitan Museum Of Art 13) Lennon Imagine Memorial (Hard for me to Imagine how it made their top 15, but it must have had Instant Karma for Kim and Mary) 12) Old St. Paul’s 9-11 Connection – I certainly can’t disagree with this pick. 11) Tenement Museum 10) Central Park 9) Subways (Kim bought a pole at home for his own use) 8) Walking the Brooklyn Bridge 7) The Crown of the Statue Of Liberty climb 6) Fraunces Tavern (I told you, Kim loves George Washington) 5) Eataly (Kim and Mary are capitalists at heart, too) 4) The Morgan Library & Museum 3) Bryant Park – This one didn’t make my list, but Kim has more of a developer’s eye than I do, and he likes parks more than I do. 2) The Frick Collection (Consensus Number One) 1) High Line – Kim and Mary said it might have ranked higher for me had Tracy and I had walked the entire length of it when they did. Of course, had I attempted that walk, they might have had to administer last rites before I made it back to Chelsea, so I think cocktails were a good choice. Here is what we didn’t quite have time to fir into our busy schedule. We did not get to The Cloisters, The Whitney Museum, and we did not go to the Top Of The Rock or Empire State Building. We all think that Hamilton Grange probably would have snuck into the Top 15 if we had taken the tour, but yet again that is a reason to return. We were also fortunate to dine at some really good NYC restaurants. I would recommend five, with the caveat that the fourth ranked restaurant is very, very loud. 5) Co. (Company) – Pizza place in Chelsea was a good start to our trip with pizzas that had crusts that were “thin as air.” 4) Pastis - Good French restaurant in Chelsea. Quite loud, but with the Fish and Chips Tracy calls “the best ever.” Pommes frites here and at Lucien were great. 3) Green Table – Also in Chelsea, located in the Chelsea Market. Try the corn on the cob and the Roasted Baby Beets with fennel, ricotta salata and fines herbs. 2) Lucien – East Village – Cool, little French bistro. Cool vibe and very good food. Bring band aids for the bartender. 1) North Square – Located at the edge of Washington Square in Greenwich Village, this was our best meal in NYC. My only food regret is not getting to a typical NYC steakhouse or The Shake Shack. I guess I wouldn’t have minded returning to the Stage Deli, but I’m not sure if my mouth opens as wide as it used to. Finally, our hotel, the Chelsea Pines Inn, is a place I would reserve when we make it back to NYC. It might not be your choice if you’re a big hotel-type who likes lots of frills, but for price + location + quiet + incredibly friendly service, this place cannot be beat. Not to mention, we still miss Charlie (but don’t tell our cats). On a personal note, this entire trip was a very big step for me. Although I had nine months of physical therapy, this was the first major venture back into the world of travel for me. I knew New York City would throw everything it had at us, and I was somewhat wary that I might not be able to handle the fast pace we are accustomed to on past journeys. However, we all survived the long walks and 1,000 Stairs-A-Day, and I lived to write another too long trip report on our six incredible days here. Looking back on the entire ordeal of the past year, there was certainly a point when I believed my days of travel (not to mention my days on earth) could be finished forever, so this trip, even more than any of our previous adventures, exemplified what I always truly believe: <B>Enjoy The Journey! Attitude Is Everything! </B> ((H)) |
Bravo!
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Maitaitom: Congratulations on your amazing ability to handle this adventure to NYC, following your wonderful recovery! We're so happy for you!!! We really enjoyed following your adventures. NYC is exciting; "electric" as you say, but exploring all that it has to offer requires a lot of energy, as you well know. Having been there several times in the past few years, we enjoyed re-living experiences you described. It's also surprising how many things there are to explore in NYC. . .many places still "on our list". So happy that you had great weather and a wonderful trip.
After our fall trips, sounds like we'll all be prepping for another great city experience: Christmas in Paris! |
As a fellow distinguished Member o' the Met, I look askance at your relative ratings of the Frick and Morgan, but find I must echo ellenem: Bravo!
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Yeah! Come back soon.
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Glad you enjoyed your trip.
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Ah.... another Frick fan. Come back soon.... and the next time we fast moving New Yorkers must get that electricity going and make sure the Maitai GTG comes off. Best wishes for continued good health and I hope your Xmas trip is even better!
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Another Bravo from me! I'm also a fan of The Frick. Two years ago was the first time I explored that museum, after half a lifetime of frequent trips into the city with my parents while growing up, why we never "found" The Frick before I'll never know, it was actually a friend who lives in Rome who told me about it! :-)
And thanks to your report the Morgan Library is now on my NYC "to visit" list, haven't been there either. I'll be in NYC in a couple weeks and will have the pleasure of meeting up with a friend and her husband at the rooftop beer garden at Eataly, thanks for reminding me it was there! |
Bravo, bravo maitaitom! on the hard work you put into your recovery and on yet another wonderful trip report!
Another fan of the Frick here! Love their small bronzes! |
MTT: Super trip report, with your usual flair for the sublime and the ridiculous!
You pegged my favorite: from 1952, when I lived on E. 69th Street and enjoyed free Sunday afternoon chamber concerts at the Frick, up to today, when I try to get there as often as possible, the Frick is the quintessential small museum in NYC. The old, the newer, and the newest Morgan Library are also among my favorites. Both used to be known only to intellectuals and close neighbors, so I used to pretend I was one of those, and now they are better and better known. Hooray for that. I am also pleased that your museum going was highly featured in this report, thus giving drinking a somewhat less elevated position, though I have little fear that that sport will be eliminated in ensuing MTT foursome's reports. Great job, good luck in planning Dordogne, keep up the good recovery and the good writing. |
Enjoyed your trip report. I live 1 hour away from the city and will definitely try some of your fav restaurants.
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Again, a super report!
Add me to the list of Frick fans. Ellis Island really grabbed us but we didn't get to Tenement Museum-as you said, maitaitom, perhaps that would have changed our minds. Except I couldn't get past the idea of leaving home forever and having to choose your most important belongings to take with you. Or sending your children off without you. It was necessary to return 2 more times to cover more on our list. A second trip for the Opera and a third where we had a fun trip to Coney Island. The High Line adds to the list. |
Thanks everyone for the nice comments. I have Day 1 and Day 2 up on my website with photos (link below). They include never before seen pictures of my hospitalization, including a nice photo of my best friend offering a "dazed and confused" Tom a "Cocktail in a Can" on Thanksgiving day 2010 (the day I awoke after seven days of unconsciousness after my operation).
Lest you think that was in bad taste; that is a tradition we have going back almost 40 years. You will also see a lovely photo of Tracy's lover Charlie Chaplin and some good shots we have of Eataly, too. I'll try and have all the photos with the report up this weekend. Thanks again for the replies. We love New York! http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...City_2011.html ((H)) |
While I would have read and enjoyed this most entertaining trip report anyway, now that DD and I are planning a trip to New York in the spring, I am loving it even more!
You are a great writer and sound like a delightful person who would be a lot of fun to be around--thanks for sharing your experience, and attitude with us! |
I just read the entire report beginning to end and first, it's such a thrill to see you back traveling, Tom! And to benefit as always from an entertaining and informative trip report is a bonus for us all. I've been to NYC numerous times, but you've given me new reasons to return. Hello Beef Bourguignon Pot Pie!?!?!?
Travel on, Tom! |
I forgot to ask.... is Charlie Chaplin's mustache real? I mean... not assisted in any way. What a cutie pie.... I've never seen a cat like that...(mine was like your orange one...)
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Yeah, I think you really should get the prize for best Fodor's trip reports. As a native New Yorker it was really nice to see it through your eyes. I've read many of your reports while planning trips to far away places and gotten much useful information. I'm really glad you didn't die so you can keep traveling and keep writing reports. Thanks for this one.
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You are a national treasure to the travelers amongst us. Please don't stop.
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"is Charlie Chaplin's mustache real? I mean... not assisted in any way."
Tracy is the only one who kissed him, so only she knows for sure. She said it was real. "I'm really glad you didn't die so you can keep traveling and keep writing reports." Me too!!!! ((H)) |
Well.. I hope our paths will cross with Tracy some day so the truth will out. In the meantime, I envy you those beeyooteefull Corgis. I always wanted a Corgi, but my husband is a Scottie fan.
The Scotties were so cute but Corgis are sooo smart. |
"I envy you those beeyooteefull Corgis."
Since we got them, the Corgis have wanted equal time to the cats, so they are excited they have been "discovered" in their first trip report. ((H)) |
Finally catching up with the final installments of your wonderful trip report. NYC is a great walking city, isn't it? I once walked from the Guggenheim to Grand Central to Times Square to my hotel on the UWS. Exhausting but so much fun.
I've also been on that tour at the Tenement Museum - I took my then 18 year old nephew there with me in 2010. He was very quiet throughout the entire tour and for some time afterward. Sometimes it's hard to tell if teens are getting anything out of an experience, but I found out later when his mother told me she overheard him telling his friends all about it: the dark, tiny rooms, the terrible sanitation, how hard the lives of the immigrants were. That makes it sound a lot more depressing than it is, but the Tenement Museum would make my Top 15 list too. Thanks for another great trip report, Tom! |
Hi there, I have just come across this great read during my research for our own visit next year.
I love the look of the Chelsea Pines, just the sort of place we love. Could you please let me know what type of room you booked? Was it a standard? Your top 15 lists are really interesting and helping me narrow down my huge list, I think I can relate to Kim's list! Very, very enjoyable, thanks for taking the time to post. |
Thank you for yet again sharing your wonderful stories. I was in NYC last October & we visited many of the same spots - it was fun to hear your take on them. We stopped by the rooftop bar at Hotel Gansevoort late one afternoon & loved it -- we had the gorgeous views all to ourselves! So glad you're feeling better & back to traveling.
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So glad yo had such a great time in my city.
BTW - Don't worry about missing The Shake Shack. Why anyone would wait on line for 45 minutes for a hamburger or milk shake is beyond me. I see tourists lined up at lunch time and think - there are other places to go. And, just to speak out for the rest of NYC - running around Manhattan doesn't constitute seeing NYC. You're seeing Manhattan, only. But I understand that that's the center the of "my" city and so that's where tourists go. Great report. |
Days 3 and 4 are now up with photos for anyone who wants to visit NYC without spending any money. Photos from our SOL climb, Brooklyn Bridge walk and also Tracy "cheating" on me with another guy in our room are included in Days 3 and 4.
((H)) |
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Checked out your link.
You're really a talented writer and the whole blog project is wonderful. Loved "Charlie Chaplin" the cat. (I'm a cat lover.) |
I am enjoying your blog so much, lots of great ideas for our holiday next year. Love all the photo's too, nice to see it in the flesh, so to speak. Lucky Tracy having a furry visitor, just the thing when you are missing your own cat. I can relate to this!
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Trip report with photos is finally finished, and there is also an NYC slide show if you need a New York fix. Click on the link below and go to "New York City 2011" for the trip report or "NYC Photos" for the slide show. Still trying to get funding for the major motion picture.
http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/ ((H)) |
Your trip reports are awesome and the slide show is just as impressive. I can't wait to go to some of the places you have been. Thanks!!
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Maitaitom, when I first joined Fodor's before a trip to Italy, your account "uncensored we didn't drink all the vino" was (and remains) one of the funniest things I've ever read on the web. It also was, in an odd way, reassuring that yes, we could take our clan to Italy.
I did start to plan a trip to New York a couple of years ago and did know that you were ill--I didn't realize then how much so. So glad you have pulled through. I think we are finally going through with the NY/DC trip, with teens now. Love your report and thanks to Tracy for letting you post all the wonderful and embarrassing details that make us all travel vicariously with you. Also appreciate your honesty about the Ellis Island tour. I am now rethinking that piece. Five Alive |
"So glad you have pulled through."
Me too! I came to the realization that if I died it would seriously put a damper on many of our travel plans. We loved both NYC and DC. Have a blast. ((H)) |
Nice to see this one again. Hope all is well with the maitai's.
5alive, maitaitom and I agree completely about the Frick (specially) and everything else, but I was moved to tears at Ellis. I was amazed and appalled at what the early immigrants went through. DH and I ran out of time for Tenement Museum and many have said it brings home what life was like then. Tom, did you have a tour at Ellis? We did and he was good-made a difference. Hub and I really talked about what we would take of our belongings if we were moving for good and could only take a certain number of items. Anyway, to each his own. And please write a trip report! |
We did not take a tour, but did have the audio tour. I certainly would not tell anyone not to go to Ellis Island, and I agree that the four of us are probably in the minority where we rank it on a trip to NYC. I can't say why it did not not "move" us the way it does others, but I had to be honest in sharing our opinions. It's not that I am completely without sentiment. I cry at the Sound Of Music every time Julie Andrews returns from the convent. And td, the maitais are doing fine and hope you are well, too.
((H)) |
Great report and thanks for the restaurant list...we head to NYC (for the first time in 7 years) in May.
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The Fodor's site is filled with mixed reactions so not to worry, tom!
DH and I returned to places that moved us unitially, only to be unmoved. Ya never know. All is fine here, thanks. You know, many are looking forward to another enjoyable TR from maitaitom! |
TDudette, what was your Ellis Island tour? Did you pre-arrange it? Sorry to derail the topic a bit...I wish these boards had private messaging...
thanks Five Alive |
It has been a few years but I know we didn't pre-arrange. Must have been one getting ready to start when we arrived? Just googling quickly, I'm only seeing audio tours. Can anyone help?
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