I opted for an early start to move my stuff to the hostel where the tour with Intrepid starts. Loaded like a Sherpa I struggled to the subway and thence to the Columbus Circle hostel which was not far from Central Park. They were expecting me, an encouraging start so with my luggage stowed for security I set out into bright sunshine to explore Central Park and environs.
Contrary to all the negative stories one hears about the place the Park is clearly a popular and well-loved amenity; thousands (well hundreds) of joggers and cyclists but loads of groups out enjoying the weather and mothers with youngsters in buggies. The environment was rather more natural than in many London Parks with lots of natural rock outcrops and stands of trees that might have sprouted where the seeds fell. In the middle there was a dispute but the boating lake restaurant. Apparently the concession owner, Dean Poll, had sacked most of his workforce for wanting legal working standards to be met and for joining a union. A small picket was set up who tried to ‘persuade’ those intending to use the amenity not to. All was overseen by a single policeman. The whole thing was noisy and good natured and a significant proportion of the people I saw changed their minds. The strikers had even produced a complimentary map of the park and outlined their case against the owner. You can read about the “Dump Dean” campaign on
The man I talked to said that he’d been on strike for 3 weeks and his only income was the support offered by the union. Fortunately for the strikers the restaurant owner seems to have fallen foul of the equivalent of the Environmental Health Department as well, so perhaps the strikers have a chance of getting their jobs back; I hope so. I’d didn’t get Dean’s side of the story! From here I made my way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art but on being told that it took 3 days to view the collection I opted for the Guggenheim Museum, a little further north. Internally the display passage spiralled upwards and displayed the life work of a Korean Artist, Lee Ufan. The mixture of abstract paintings and sculpture were largely an exploration of texture, space and shape. I’m not great on such contemporary art but I think I got this by the end. I particularly enjoyed one display that consisted of seven stones, all about 2 foot round, set out on greyish cushions. I tried to paste in an image but it doesn't copy into this post. Google the artist's name and you'll get the idea.
There was another one that consisted of a gaint cottonwool mattress about the size of three double beds, all with bits of thin brownish sticks running through them. Other sculptures set stones and materials such as sheet steel against each other. Many of the abstract paintings I could easily live with. In a small room there was also a small collection of Impressionists including a Van Gogh I last saw in London, a fine Picasso – Woman Ironing and a brilliant early Pissaro – At the Hermitage.
Cultured up I headed for the American Museum of Natural History where the dinosaur collection was the finest I’ve ever seen, not that I’ve seen many. Working down the building the displays on flora, fauna and Indian Culture were detailed and massive but I felt that there were far too many static displays so the experience was a little old-fashioned. However, there were plenty of children there and most seemed to be enjoying it all. Perhaps it was me that was flagging! Again, one has to be impressed by the scale of these public buildings and the efficient and friendly way things are run.
Returning to the hostel I was allocated a room with six bunks which made me somewhat apprehensive. Will they cope with my snoring? I have to confess to some trepidation about the matter. I found a nearby restaurant an enjoyed a pasta – the salad was part of the deal and this extended to a free glass of wine. All for $16 so good value all round. Back at the hostel numbers were growing and there seemed to be at least 4 different tours setting off the next day. The free wi-fi didn’t work so I spent some time comparing notes with other travellers before turning in.
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