Saturday August 11

One of my favorite days in NYC.

To the Flatiron district in the morning:

Flatiron Building at Madison Square Park

Empire State Building

Tiles in the subway station.

After exploring the area and the park, took the subway to Union Square, where I attended the lovely Greenmarket.  In the mornings, you will often see chefs from the excellent restaurants in the area there to buy fresh ingredients for their dishes!  I saw one chef, but didn't know where he works-he was wheeling a stainless steel cart around and when I saw him he was purchasing large quantities of fresh raspberries!  I bought lots of different kinds of fruits (all in the plum/apricot family), some Finnish bread (delicious!), and two bags of cookies- one chocolate chip and one ginger.   After perusing all the stalls, sat in the park and snacked.

Went to Central Park where I found the Damrosch band shell for the first time (it is so huge, how could I have missed it before?) and the big plaza where people were gathering to eat, perform, play chess, and otherwise enjoy themselves.  Finally found the Summerstage, where I attended a free Concert in the Park!

 You sit on astroturf right in front of the stage!  It was a HOT day, so I found a bit of shade right in front of the sound booth.  The two guys standing next to me where talking about beating people with baseball bats in order to get their money back. I pretended not to hear anything they said...

 The first band was Abigail Washington.  She plays the banjo and sings updated Appalachian folk music mixed with world music.  Very enjoyable!

Then, the second band was who I actually came for: Buckwheat Zydeco!

Louisiana zydeco music.  I loved it, and got up and danced! Buckwheat was getting kind of frustrated with the crowd because we weren't always responding to their music- I think it was because A. he spoke in Cajun French a lot and people couldn't understand, and B. people are unfamiliar with this style of music and audience expectations (participation, clapping, dancing, etc.).  But I loved it!  The Carolina Chocolate drops were 3rd, but I needed to leave so that I could go to:

The GUGGENHEIM!

What a wonderful museum!  For the first time, I experienced delays and typos in the bus schedule, and arrived later than I had hoped, and the line was around two sides of the building.  I had to wait 45 minutes to get in (pay what you wish), but the museum was heavenly.

 The gallery is a large spiral with annexes on some floors for the temporary exhibits.  This was an absolutely stunning collection of 20th century art, with a wonderful audio tour that explained each of the schools throughout the century.  No photography (hee hee!) so I can't show you the collection but you can look at it all online, and it is a true highlight of New York.

 I actually hugged the man at the door when I left, I thought the museum was so good.  He laughed, but seemed to enjoy it!

 I sat on the wall outside and enjoyed the cooler weather, read my book, and enjoyed people watching. 

Caught the sunset over Central Park

Missed the bus (it picks up on 56th, not 55th as it says on the schedule- I was SO MAD), so I decided o eat at this Vietnamese restaurant.  Fabulous noodle soup and dumplings.  Everything happens for a reason!

Made the bus the second time, but had to take my soup home.  Ate it in bed!  Fantastic day!!!