Aug 29

Travel: SF to NYC. Aug 24- 29/2024

Unplanned sad circumstance brought us to NYC, right after our daughter -Inbal

(see post) and her family, who visited with us for a month, departed, first to Disneyland and then continued to Israel.

SF >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NYC

The unexpected death of a very dear friend from NYC compelled us to attend the Shiva -the 7-day period of formalized mourning of the deceased's immediate family.

The same afternoon's date we landed in NYC (Aug 24) Inbal and her family, were due to board an 11:00pm El-Al flight from LA, back to Israel with the only airline, which has been still flying to/out of the country.

Lo and behold, the news on the very scary war escalation at the Israeli Northern border, started to be reported at 9:00pm NYC time (5AM on Aug 25th Israeli time)

Israel's military preemptive strike in self-defense, against Hezbollah of Lebanon, went into action, after identifying that Hezbollah was “preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward crucial targets in Israeli territory". The Iran-backed militant group said it carried out its own attacks in retaliation for the killing of Fuad Shukr in Beirut.

About 100 of Israel's fighter jets simultaneously “struck and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels” across dozens of launch sites from Lebanon .

Temporarily shut-up of Israel's International airport, due to that preemptive attack freaked us out, but our daughter wouldn't take our advise, and was adamant to board the El Al flight, which, eventually made it safely to Israel,

However the entire ordeal caused us an anxious sleep-less night.. and

still , as of today, it is not clear if Iran would, too, materialize its revenge...at any point..

The mid-town hotel we checked into, on this visit, was the Sofitel on 44th St.

Sofitel Hotel

45 W 44th St (between 6th and 5th Ave. (212) 354-8844

The limestone and glass building of 398 guest rooms, that was constructed in 1997 and completed in 2000, was inspired by French traditions in furnishings and theme. Its lobby is not too big and offers an intimate setting,

The room are modest and decent.

It is located 2 blocks north of Bryant Park and the New York Public Library Main Branch and next to the New York Yacht Club Building.

It is also where Dominique Strauss-Kahn allegedly had an assignation with a maid,

West 44th St - An Historical Landmark

44th St. where the hotel is located is also known for its most iconic establishments

Among them are the Harvard Alumni Club and Century Club, the Algonquin Hotel from 1902 , which hosted numerous literary and theatrical notables , including members of the Algonquin Round Table club during the early 20th .The Hippodrome Theater, which was located on 6th Avenue and 44th Street and operated from 1905 to 1939,

The Yale Club was founded in 1897 and the New York City Bar Association's landmark building from 1894..

The most architecturally opulent structure on the street, and just next to the Sofitel is New York Yacht Club Building.

Theater

The musical industry, in NYC caters mainly to the hoards of visiting tourists, so there were hardly any plays to see, especially, in comparison to last June's last year season when we visited NYC during which, we saw 3 excellent plays.

This time the only Broadway play we saw and which is recommended was:

"JOB"

Peter Friedman and Sydney Lemmon star in Max Wolf Friedlich’s explosive Broadway thriller.

Many more new plays will open in Sept and during NYC Broadway Week - (Sept 3-15) two theater tickets can be bought for the price of one.

Considering the in-doors disappointing absence of pricey theatrical performances,

the zoo-like, electrifying free entertainment, at the open-air Time Square's surroundings, never fails to amaze me...

What Else Took Place that Week

Tennis Tournament, Extended Restaurant Week, (formally July 22 through Aug 18) and Youth Chess Competition at Bryant Park (Aug 24) were all taking place, during our short 5 days stay in the city.

Less interested was Tennis for us, but we defiantly enjoyed the Restaurants' Week opportunities. and the proximity of the hotel to Bryant Park.

Bryant Park

This quaint Manhattan's mid-town small public park. which is located between 5th Ave and Ave. of the Americas (6th Ave) and between 40th and 42nd Streets, is delightful to visit

The site was opened in 1847 and was initially called Reservoir Square due to its proximity to the Croton Distributing Reservoir, which at the time, contained the New York Crystal Palace, that hosted the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in 1853 but burned down in 1858. The reservoir was demolished in 1900 and the main branch of New York Public Library's, occupying its eastern side, was built on the site, opening in 1911.

The square was renamed in 1884 for abolitionist and journalist William Cullen Bryant.

Now a days the park consists of lawn, flower patches, shaded walkways, coffee places carousel, and many visiting homo sapience, of all ages..

The park hosts several events, including a seasonal "Winter Village" with an ice rink ,shops during the winter. and youth Chess competition, as we witnessed,

NYC Central Branch Public Library

5th Ave. and 42nd Street. 917-275-6975

The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is the flagship building in the NY Public Library system,

The white marble ornate detailed facade of the Beaux-Arts style structure is most impressive, inside as well

Library's Building , was declared a National Historic Landmark, a National Register of Historic Places site, and a New York City designated landmark in the 1960s.

It is one of 4 research libraries in the NYC library system. providing free and equal access to its resources. It is renowned for its extraordinary historical collections

The reason we walked into the liberality was to view the Treasures at the Polonsky Exhibition

Durer

The Polonsky Exhibition of The NY Public Library’s Treasures, now open at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, showcases some of the most extraordinary items from the 56 million collection, The treasures in this exhibition tell the stories of people, places, and moments spanning 4,000 years—from the emergence of the written word through to the present day. manuscripts, artworks, letters, still and moving images, and recordings,

Gutenberg Bible. 1544 Complutensian Polyglot. Machzor 14th C

Summit One Vanderbilt

45 E 42nd St,

Little further away from the Library

the One Vanderbilt , an impressive

73-story mid-town super tall skyscraper, can not be missed.

It opened in 2020. Its roof is 1,301 feet (397 m) high and its spire is 1,401 feet (427 m) above ground, making it the city's fourth-tallest building after One World Trade Center, Central Park Tower, and 111 West 57th Street.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is a 4-story observation complex on top of the building. offering panoramic views over all five boroughs from a collection of curated multi-sensory viewing and lounge spaces, above Midtown Manhattan.

The elevator ride up the Summit begins below ground at Grand Central Station,

We passed by the building, but didn't visit this observatory. We decided to visit the One World Trade, instead. on this trip.

While strolling up 5th Av toward Central park a sudden change in weather which showered unexpected rain, had chased us back the the hotel, but not before we pipped, for the first time, into the immense and packed with visitors

ST. Patrick Cathedral,

The 1858, Gothic Revival Catholic Cathedral, the largest in North America, that expands over the midtown's city block, and located directly across from Rockefeller Center, is the seat of the Archbishop of New York as well as a parish church.

The Cathedral is NYC designated landmark, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is clad in marble, has several dozen stained glass windows and dispatches annually, the famous St Patric's Day Parade .

Later that evening, equipped with umbrellas, on a way to one of our favorite restaurants in that same mid-town area, we encountered an insane long line of people, waiting outdoors for over an hour, for a street food truck selling according to those waiting in line, "Best Halal" Shawarma"

(on 6th Ave/.49st, close by Radio City)

NYC streets seem to have been conquered by an endless flee of

"Food Trucks' parked in every corner.

Yet, the long line scenery flabbergasted us completely. It seemed to be

"best food deal" in town, considering the pricey food. charged in the regular

in-doors restaurants around town.

David and I started noting our inconceivable.. 50th Wedding Anniversary... (Sept 3rd)

a week earlier prior to the actual date, with the intention to continue acclaiming it, during the entire month stretch, Later in October, our immediate small family gathering is planned when we all meet, from around the world, to stay together in a rented house.

The current national turmoil which has been inflicting so many lives, especially due to the prolonged Hamas-Israel war, its casualties, the torpedoed Hostages release deal, the impacted bereaved and displaced, and the threats of regional conflict escalation in the Middle East , along with an insane rise in global antisemitism, sadly curbed our enthusiasm for a larger festive celebration .

Yet, 50 years of marriage, now a days, in the shaky transient world we live in, are a Grand Golden milestone , not to be ignored, either..

Restaurant "Oceana" where we had a great meal, treated us to a wonderful anniversary desert with a candle on top, It was devoured (less the candle) with additional desert.. with much pleasure

The next morning, which was sunny bright with clear sky, was a perfect one to pay a visit (our first one) to the One World Observatory.

A Wild Life for Wildlife

Coming up to the street level, from the subway station below, at the stunning Oculus -Westfield shopping mall Word Trade Center, complex (designed by the famous Santiago Calatrava architect,) we encountered, on the walkway with the delightful bronze statues

(50 Church Street)

Gillie and Marc Art

'The Arms of Friendship'

This free public exhibition has been located outside the Oculus Building at the World Trade Center from July 16th, 2024, until July 31st, 2025.

Ascendance from the NYC "Wild Life" on Earth up closer to "Heaven"

One World Observatory

Located on 102 floor of One World Trade Center, also known as One WTC and Freedom Tower - the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan which opened in 2014. Foundations for the new building began in 2006. and the building became the tallest structure in New York City in 2012, when it surpassed the height of the Empire State Building.

The One World Observatory opened in, 2015. It only takes 47 seconds to get to 102 floor, from which stunning 360 degree NY skyline views can be spectated, on a bright clear day.

Every hour on the full hour, a knowledgeable human guide, gives a short explanation on floor 101 (next the the bar/restaurant) and answers question from the visiting crowd. in addition to the info tablets, that can be rented.

The entire visit is very well organized and though pricey the stunning views are worth it

‘Water’s Soul’ -Jaume Plensa artist

The towering white statue of a woman's head can be seen from the observatory or when walking along the Hudson River. The 80 feet tall statue is erected at Newport section of Jersey City waterfront,

The woman with closed eyes is holding a finger to her lips in a state of silent contemplation and self-reflection

Back down on earth we stepped into the quint St Nicholas 'Holly Shrine

" next to the World Trade National Memorial complex, (museum closed on Tuesdays)

St Nicholas Shrine

Consecrated in, 2022,the white

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, officially the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, replaced the original church of the same name that was destroyed during the September 11 attacks in 2001—the only house of worship, and only building outside the original World Trade Center complex, to be completely destroyed in Lower Manhattan,

The Shrine is located within Liberty Park - a one-acre elevated public park opened in 2016, at the World Trade Center, overlooking the National September 11 Memorial & Museum . Within the park, is also located Fritz Koenig's The Sphere, the iconic sculpture salvaged from the World Trade Center site.

Koenig Sphere - Große Kugelkaryatide

The Sphere is a monumental cast bronze sculpture by German artist Fritz Koenig (1924–2017).This world's largest bronze sculpture of modern times stood between the Twin Towers on the Austin J. Tobin Plaza of the World Trade Center in NYC from 1972 until the Sept. 11 attacks.

After moving to few other locations the

Sphere is now instituted in its mammoth glory in its original location at Liberty Park, overlooking the September 11 Memorial .The sculpture, rededicated at its permanent location on 2017, has been kept in the badly damaged condition it was found in after the Sep, 11 attacks.

Further up in town, (in the 30th St) as David had not, previously visited, we frequented the large-scale redevelopment of the West-side Hudson Yards neighborhood. Strolling through a section of the High- Line , the elevated linear park, greenway, and rail trail created on a former New York Central Railroad spur, overlooking the parked trains, (about which I posted last year, (here), we encountered "work in progress".

It was fascinating to observe off the high-line ramp, how the redevelopment has been still taking place full speed .with relentless noisy giant machinery .

This unexpected visit to NYC presented also an opportunity to seeing my favorite first degree cousin Victor,

I have very little family left, as most didn't survived the holocaust.

His late father (Abrasha) was the oldest sibling (out of 6 -all perished now) of my late mother. (Ruth)

Unfortunately, we get to see each other on very rear occasions as we reside on opposite coasts of the country,

So sharing a great meal at Kellari - Greek Taverna , with his third lady-partner in life was a fantastic occasion to catch up

Another great opportunity was to meet Andy, an NYU Prof. of Music and a multi talent fantastic dear relative of mine, who walked us through the East Village, and to the Washington Square Park around which the university's buildings and faculty housing, are clustered.

The smaller quint Sasaki Garden

part of the urban-renewal era plan from the 1950th, was a first time for us.

A marsh. a cemetery. a parade ground,. a playground for canines and children, a gathering spot for avant-garde artists. and students, a battleground for chess players. and a platform for Dance lessons.., Washington Park has served all these functions.

Lessons in Line-Dancing by Garibaldi's Statue at Washington Park

Sasaki Garden Washington Square Village

Elmer Holmes Bobst Library

70 Washington Square South,

The main library at (NYU) built in 1972 and named after its benefactor, Elmer Holmes Bobst, who gave US $11.5 million toward its completion. Holes was a long-time trustee at NYU, is a philanthropist who made his money in the pharmaceutical industry, and was a confidant of President Richard Nixon