Niagara Falls - Canadian Side

Overlooking Horseshoe Falls

I had heard that crossing the boarder from the US into Canada is like night and day. It may not have been as drastic as night and day, but I could certainly see a big difference. This might be because we crossed from Buffalo into Ontario, and Buffalo is literally falling apart - there are so many abandoned houses and buildings. Nature is beginning to reclaim some of these abandoned buildings. There are trees and plants growing out of the windows and on the rooftops, which is actually kind of cool to see.

"O Canada!"

When we crossed into Canada suddenly everything seemed a little greener. The streets were nice and smooth, and there was no trash on the side of the highway - unbelievable!

After checking in at the hotel in St. Catharines we headed to the Canadian side of the falls. What a difference! From Canada you are able to view the falls straight on, and it is just too beautiful, majestic, and powerful to describe. The spray from Horseshoe Falls keeps the town moist, so the air is refreshing and crisp. The huge plume of mist rising up looks like smoke rising from a brushfire. The birds love it, they swoop in and out of the mist and land peacefully in the water below, no problem. I have been very intrigued with birds lately.

The whole area surrounding the falls was pristine, unfortunately when I took a look on the other side of the railing that keeps tourists back a safe distance there was a bunch of litter. Sad.

Moon over the lit up Horseshoe Falls

Kris got a huge gash in her finger while we were unloading the car at the hotel and it split open while we were at Niagara Falls so Russell and I found the first aid station and took her there. The guy was so helpful and nice, and although I think first aid is free in the US, he did make sure to mention that "first aid, like healthcare, is free in Canada."

At the end of the day we had dinner and then hung around the falls to see them lit up at night. The massive lights shine across the gorge and hit the falls, lighting them up with a rotating array of colors - it is really fabulous! I wanted to stay and watch the fireworks over Niagara Falls, but there were so many people - the streets were packed - that I suggested that we walk back to the car and watch the fireworks from there. This ended up being a great idea. We still had a view of the falls and the fireworks, but didn't have to worry about walking up to the car with thousands of people and since we were already at the car when the show was over, we had no traffic!

After our day of taking in Niagara Falls and a bunch of walking and hiking we were all ready for a good nights sleep - and I love sleeping at hotels!

American Falls and Horseshoe Falls

Whirlpool State Park, Niagara, NY

I still have so much to write about my trip to Niagara Falls!

My dad and Kris looking out at Whirlpool State Park

After leaving the falls we decided to head to Whirlpool State Park (photos), which Kris had heard was a really great place to explore. Whirlpool State Park is a dangerously turbulent stretch of the Niagara River downstream from Niagara Falls. The massive gorge walls pinch the river, forcing huge amounts of water through a smaller space, which has created dangerous Class V whitewater, including 11 foot standing waves - the largest in North America. Also, because the rapids create oxygen rich water, this area has become the one of the premiere freshwater fishing locations in the country.

Me checking out the jet boats - the only thing interrupting the silence

As for why it is called Whirlpool State Park - well it really looks like a giant swirling whirlpool! The Niagara Whirlpool has125 feet deep swirling waters, which have resulted from the nearly 90 degree turn in the Niagara River's flow (see the map below). The sharp turn was created nearly 4,200 years ago when the erosion and recession of Niagara Falls (which is still happening today, although much more slowly due to human intervention) reached a soft spot in the landscape. As Niagara Falls retreated, it crossed paths with Saint David's Buried Gorge, a pre-glacial, debris-filled river valley, and abruptly began a rapid and violent erosion process, quickly cutting away the soft dirt and stone filling. Geologists estimate that this event took place very rapidly, from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Stairs to the upper/main level of Whirlpool State Park

I love geology!

We went on a hike down 300 feet to the river, then walked along the river for a little while before stopping for a break on a rock at the side of the river, where we watched the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours whizz by with their screaming passengers. After our break we began the hike back up the gorge, which meant a lot of stairs! Climbing hundreds of stairs is not all that bad when you are surrounded by nature's beauty...

View Larger Map

Bee Sting on the Bottom of my Foot!

The bees loved the wildflowers where we were slacklining

I stepped on a bee two days ago while slacklining at Lake Erie State Park. My foot was fine until yesterday afternoon when it started swelling. Today it itches like crazy and anti-itch cream is not helping at all. Walking is a real pain.

I've been suggested that I soak my foot in rubbing alcohol - I will try that tonight when I get home. Any other suggestions? A little end piece is stuck in my foot. I think I may have to buy a needle and some good tweezers tonight as well...

Horseshoe Falls, the US Side - Niagara Falls, NY

Erica in front of Horseshoe Falls

After some slacklining (photos) in front of American Falls it was time to take the pedestrian bridge over the falls to go see Horseshoe Falls. It is really easy to miss the US side of Horseshoe Falls because once you reach Luna Island, which separates American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, it looks like the path ends - good thing a friend told my dad that once you think the path is over, keep walking. Good thing too because if I was on my own I would have probably turned around and completely missed Horseshoe Falls (well, I still would have seen it from Canada)!

And wow - Horseshoe Falls is amazing! It is so big and powerful, yet peaceful and majestic. I took some time to lay my sarong out, close my eyes, and just listen to the sound of the water crashing down below me. I sometimes like being reminded just how small and powerless I am.

Trashing Niagara Falls

Sadly not even the powerful Horseshoe Falls is immune from being trashed by humans. Right next to the falls there was an ugly plastic bag full of trash. So sad that we manage to put our trash in every place possible. Wherever I go there is trash - uninhabited beaches, middle of the forest, and even the mighty Niagara Falls. There were also cigarette butts littered everywhere - even in Canada, where everything is a little bit more pristine! I pray for the day when cigarettes will be outlawed - or at least raise taxes on those things, cleanup alone must cost a small fortune.

After spending some time at Horseshoe Falls we walked back to the car and started heading towards the boarder - but we first made a nice stop at Whirlpool State Park, New York, which I highly recommend for anyone visiting Niagara Falls.

View from Luna Island. Left side: Bridal Veil Falls, right side: American Falls

Niagara Falls, New York: American Falls

In front of the American Falls - Niagara Falls, NY

After my family and I spent one night in Buffalo, which is literally falling apart, we hopped in the rental car and headed to Niagara Falls, NY. Although we had heard that the Canadian side is spectacular, we still wanted to see the US side before crossing the boarder.

We first headed to the American Falls. Walking up to the falls and seeing the raging river was awesome. The power of the river and the thunder of the falling water nearly stopped me in my tracks. Of course, since we were on the American side we weren't able to see the falls head on, but we sure could hear them crashing down below us!

Slickline at Niagara Falls, NY

Russell and I saw some trees and decided that the park in front of the American Falls would be the perfect place to slackline, so we took he opportunity to set up the line and take a few photos and some video. Of course a large group of people quickly surrounded us to watch and take their own photos and video... I wonder how many videos of us slacklining are up on youtube by now? Oh and Russell took another jumping photo - this time it's a  slackline jump over Niagara Falls!

Besides seeing the American Falls and slacklining at them, I have also learned some interesting facts:

• American Falls receives only 10% of the water flow of the Niagara River - the rest flows over Horseshoe Falls.
• The flow over the American Falls has only been stopped twice. Once on March 29, 1848 due to an ice jam that occurred in the upper river - this lasted for only a few hours - and again for several months in 1969. The stoppage in 1969 was man made and the idea was to determine the feasibility of removing the large rock pile from underneath the falls to increase aesthetics. In the end it was decided that the cost would be too great to do this.
• The crest of American Falls is 130 feet and it has a max height of 110 feet.
• This may not be a fact, but in my opinion the American Falls looks better from the Canadian side but sounds better from the US side.

Amtrak: New York City to Buffalo by Train

View from the train to Buffalo

Russell and I woke up early Thursday morning to ride the first Amtrak train (7:15am) out of Penn Station in New York City heading to Buffalo via Empire Service. The tickets were $56 one-way, but, like always, I did a google search for coupon codes and found a code for 20% off tickets within the state of New York - score! The trip was supposed to take 8 hours total but ended up taking 9 hours because we got stuck behind freight trains twice. I also was under the belief that the Exchange street station in buffalo was the main station. Wrong. We ended up in a really dumpy area. The correct station is Depew Station.

Whenever I take Amtrak from Santa Barbara down to San Diego I always pay the extra $13 to upgrade to first class, which is totally worth it, but this time around I am glad all the first class tickets were sold out. Turns out that the only difference between first and coach on this train is that first class has leather seats. Also, first class is in the dining car, so it smells a little funky. Besides, our coach seats were super comfortable - reclining, more than enough leg room, a foot rest that pops out from underneath the chair (like lay-z boy style), a foot rest under the chair in front of mine, and a table that folds down. I really couldn't have been happier.

The reason we decided to take the train was not for comfort, and definitely not for speed, but rather for the incredible scenery. We went up the Hudson River for a few hours, which was absolutely beautiful, then headed East and went through stunning, bright green forests - that was when I fell n love with New York (as long as I don't think about freezing winters!). If you ever take this route up, be sure to sit on the west side of the train (the left side if facing the front of the train).

I would recommend that anyone going to upstate New York take the train just for the excellent scenery on the way there. That being said, now that I have taken the train and seen the beauty of New York, I will certainly be flying back into the city - the train is practically a day trip on its own and a flight is only 1 hour and 15 minutes.

New Neutrality on The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart

Yesterday Russell, Kathy, Kathy's mom, and I went to a taping of the Daily Show. After a two and a half hour wait in line we got into the air conditioned studio and got our seats. Jon Stewart's desk was much smaller than it looks on TV...maybe to match Stewart's smallness.

The guest was Dick Armey (watch the interview here)- some right wing Tea Party supporter and author who was a congrassman as well as a lobbyist - great combo there. He was basically talking jibberish the whole time, like most Tea Partiers. He also was a hypocrite, and prooved himself wrong with his own reasoning a bunch of times as well - again, like most Tea Partiers. I often shook my head - or laughed out loud - in disbeleaf.

Stewart also spoke about net newtrality - and the flip-flopping of Google on the topic. Hillarious commentary, yet what he said is both sad and true. This clip made it onto the Huffington Post. You can read the atricle here or watch the video here.

Goodbye Bronx. Hello Harlem!

West Harlem Piers Park

On Tuesday I moved from The Bronx into the Morningside/Hamilton Heights area of Harlem. People who don't live in New York often say, "Um, isn't that area dangerous?" while people who live here say, "Oh, that's a really nice area." Although Harlem is predominately a black neighborhood it is still very safe. There are kids playing on the streets and people come out once the sun goes down to sit and chat on the sidewalks.

Our new place is really great. It is a one bedroom with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom, on the top (3rd) floor of a brownstone walkup. Right now brownstones are very popular so I am excited that I get to live in one for the next two months. The place is furnished very nicely with all the things that have been brought back from the subletter's travels and the couple's book collection is large and very interesting!

Harlem Home

Our new place is also one block away from Wast Harlem Piers Park - a lovely park overlooking the Hudson River - where Russell and I walk to every day for sunset. There is a path that runs along the Hudson that you can take all the way to the southern tip of Manhattan. This is also the park I walk through to get to work - yes, now I am close enough to walk to work (an easy 1.5 mile walk each way).

Like my Bronx home the subway is only about two blocks away (now I am near the 1 train, rather than the 4 & D). Unfortunately the new stop is not an express train (Bronx had two express trains that stopped by my house). No matter, it is still very convenient and if I need to get somewhere that is far off I can always transfer to an express.

Also, although I am yet to see a delicious place for pizza by the slice, there is a great Italian place down the street as well as a GIANT natural food store called Fairway Market (with free olive samples!).

My new home in Harlem is certainly growing on me!

Breakdancing in Central Park

Finally I am having some time to go through my videos and spruce them up a bit. Here is the first one:

Bryant Park, Times Square, and Justin Timberlake

Bryant Park

Last Thursday I decided that I needed a New York Public Library card, not only to check out books for research, but also to check out a Lonely Planet Washington DC book for our weekend trip to DC. I got the required documents - proof that I either live, work, and go to school in NYC, plus a driver’s license or passport. I went in with a letter from work with the address on official letterhead along with my passport and license. I called ahead of time to make sure this would be accepted and the guy on the phone said it should be fine, but that it depends on the mood of the person working. Sadly, the woman working was very cranky and rejected me outright. Since there was a huge line I decided not to make a big deal out of it and instead Russell and I went to Bryant Park a block away to enjoy twilight and take some nice night shots with my camera.

After replacing in the park for a little bit we walked to Times Square so Russell could see it lit up at night. As we were walking I noticed a huge group of people that were dancing - flash mob! YES! I have always wanted to see a flash mob, but then I noticed a camera and lighting and realized that it wasn’t a real flash mob but a fake one... oh well still fun. I thought that they were filming a Verizon commercial because I have seen Verizon’s flash mob commercial on YouTube before, but then I noticed that there were two people who were the only ones not dancing. Then I realized that the two people not dancing were Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis! They were filming the movie Friends with Benefits. I tried to take some photos but there was a pretty big crowd around. I did get some good video though and will post that up on YouTube sometime soon (update: video has been posted!). Russell and I watched three takes before heading back to the subway to go home.

Inconsiderate Subway Riders

This morning I was riding the 4 train to work. My stop is early on the line so there are plenty of empty seats, but they fill up quickly as we go along into Manhattan. Once all the seats were filled, a man got on board with his coffee in one hand and a cane in the other. Once the train started moving I saw that he was having trouble holding on to the pole while managing all his things, so naturally I got out of my seat to give it to him (which I very often do for elderly people, very young kids, the disabled, and pregnant women). The guy was maybe two or three steps in front of me (so very close) and as I got up he started making a move to sit down... then out of nowhere a young girl, maybe 20 or 21, made a quick side step in front of him and sat down in my seat, taking it for herself. I was shocked.

I see this kind of stuff, although not so outright rude, happening all the time on the subway. Elderly people and the like are left to stand while young able bodied people kick back and relax. I guess it is survival of the fittest on the train... Of course I can't say that all people are like this, there are always people who, like me get up for others. It is just shocking that the majority of people who fail to give up their seats are is the age range of 18-25. Where did their manners go?

Russell Has Arrived

Central Park Reservoir

Russell arrived in New York Saturday morning after changing his ticked to an earlier date. Once he got settled in his first request was to see Central Park. I obliged, so we got him a MetroCard and took the subway to the park for a walk, and what a nice walk it was! We started out walking around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir then headed toward the Great Lawn and the Turtle Pond, stopped to see the kid juggler, then arrived at the southern exit of the park. Once we exited we took a break on a shaded bench and did some people watching for 20 minutes.

After a quick break we continued our walk towards Times Square. On our was we came across the great group of break dancers, I guess you would call them - some did dancing, some did crazy acrobatics. I will post up a video here once I upload it to youtube. After watching the dancers we continued on to Times Square where we saw a huge billboard that had a picture of Mahmoud Ahmadineja, the President of Iran, with a caption reading, "He's not welcome here." It was a poster for UANI - United Against Nuclear Iran. I wonder if people know that Iran does not yet possess weapons grade nuclear capabilities and they have also signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which allows them to develop nuclear power for peaceful

Trinity Church Cemetery

purposes. Yet the US has 5,113 nuclear warheads - and don't even get me started on Israel and its illegal nuclear arsenal - talk about hypocrisy! Maybe we should think about reducing our own arsenal. I mean honestly, 5,113? Do we really need to have the power to not only destroy ourselves and our planet, but to destroy it multiple times over? I am all for a nuclear free world, but come on folks, take a look in the mirror! I could go on, but I don't want to get myself into trouble...

After a short stroll through Times Square, Russell and I headed back home for some well deserved sleep.

Trinity Church

The following Sunday we decided to take a walk through Lower Manhattan. I took Russell on the walking tour I had taken myself on previously. We began at City Hall Park and walked towards Ground Zero, stopping on the way at the Woolworth Building. There is a sign outside that says no tourists allowed in the building, but we ignored it because we wanted to see the famed gold mosaic ceiling - and it was well worth getting yelled at... so beautiful! Next was St Paul Chapel, which overlooks Ground Zero. We sat on a bench in the cemetery for a little break before moving on towards Trinity Church and Wall Street.

Last time I went on this walking tour Trinity Church was closed for the day, but this time I arrived early enough to enter the cemetery and the church. Trinity Church was Russell's favorite part of the day. He, like me, noticed that the headstones were being washed away by weathering and we talked about how life is so ephemeral. There really is no time to waste on negative emotions and feelings. This is one area where we are always on the same page - we both want to live and experience life as much as we can in happiness and joy.

New York Stock Exhange

We also went into Trinity Church. There was some sort of service going on but we stayed in a side room what was surrounded by tomb-looking memorials. The inside of the church (as well as the outside) is done in a beautiful Gothic style with dome ceilings and intricately carved walls ceilings, and statues and wooded trim around the doorways. In one side room, I am sure there is a specific name for it, we kneeled to pray and meditate. It was very peaceful and relaxing.

After leaving the church we walked down Wall Street into the Financial District to see Federal Hall, where George Washington took his oath of office to become our first President, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Staten Island Ferry

Next we walked to Bowling Green to see the Charging Bull statue, when it began raining. Since it was raining we ducked into the National Museum of the American Indian before heading to the Staten Island Ferry house for a free ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty to Staten Island. I must say that the Statue of Liberty is a bit underwhelming. I thought it would be a lot bigger. Once Russell and I arrived on Staten Island we took a little stroll around. I would have liked to go to the huge nature reserve on the island for a hike but we didn't have time. After our quick walk we caught the next ferry and headed back to Manhattan for our appointment to see a place for sublet in Harlem/Washington Heights. The place was really great - in a brownstone, right next to the Hudson River and a great natural shopping market. Today we just found out that we got the place! We will be moving there on Aug 10th until the end of September. Once we saw the place we took a park to a park on the Hudson, laid out my sarong, and relaxed there for a half hour before checking out the super market nearby. After a quick shopping trip we headed back to the subway, which ended up turning into a long walk through Columbia University and NY City College, both beautiful campuses!

Next, we hopped on the subway and made our way home. I slept like a baby after all the walking we did that day!

Trinity Church Cemetery and Russell

Beach Day! (finally)

Ahhhh, finally... I made it to the beach. For someone who loves the beach so much it is hard to imagine that it took me so long to make to the Atlantic!

Erica, Kathy, & Mika at Rockaway Beach, NY

Last Saturday I went to Rockaway Beach in Queens. The beach is the nation's largest urban beach, and it is supposed to be New York City's best. It is difficult for me to see why it is the best beach around since I have nothing to compare it to - well except the beaches of Maui, California, Barcelona, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, and Brazil, which, by the way, Rockaway Beach sadly ranks last. I am so spoiled when it comes beaches. It is not that this beach was the terrible, just that all of the other beaches I have been to are so nice!

On the bright side, I got to hang out with a group of nice girls (Kathy and her two friends Mika and Emily). Also, the water temperature was perfect for combatting the 101ºF heat. Unfortunately the beach is littered with trash. I could see the water line by following the streak of debris snaking across the beach - luckily there was no trash floating in the water, although Kathy did have to rescue a plastic bag that blew into the water from the shore (woman after my own heart with that move!). I did get a nice tan and although it was not the best beach of all time, it was still pretty great and I had an excellent day!

One of my favorite parts of the day (besides swimming around in the ocean - I am such a water child) was actually the train ride to and from the beach. Despite the nearly two hours it took to get there by train (even though it is only 20 miles from Manhattan, 26 from my house), the A line goes through part of the 26,000-acre Gateway National Recreation Area and 9,155-acre Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, home to a few hundred bird species. The train ride through those areas was very lovely. JFK is also situated near Jamaica Bay and one of my favorite things to do it watch airplanes take off and land, so that was fun as well. Complications have arisen because JFK is so near to the bird sanctuary creating a battle between technology and nature. I'm sure you remember the miracle Hudson River landing by Captain Sully Sullenberger of Flight 1549 - that crash was attributed to birds getting caught in the plane's turbines. As a reaction to the crash, New York City has just given the ok for over 170,000 geese to be euthanized - that is 1/3 of the current population. The city also recently killed four hundred Canada Geese with carbon monoxide in Prospect Park. I agree with State Senator Eric Adams - there is a more humane way to deal with the birds.

But back to the bright side. My beach day the past Saturday was excellent overall. Tomorrow I will update my blog to include my trip to the Brooklyn Museum and Botanic Gardens that I took the following Sunday.

Queens Walking Tour

Globe at Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Today after having a lazy morning I picked myself up out of bed and headed out to Queens for the first time. I decided to take Lonely Planet's advice and take the 7 Train from Grand Central. Also called the International Express, it takes you along a national "registered historical trail" riding above ground level through the longtime immigrant neighborhoods of Sunnyside (Romanian, Turkish), Woodside (Irish), Jackson Heights (Indian, Pilipino), Corona Heights (Italian, Peruvian, Colombian, Ecuadorian, Mexican), and Flushing (Chinese, Korean). For me the highlight of the train ride from Manhattan into Flushing was going past 5 Pointz, considered to be the world’s “graffiti Mecca,” where people from around the world come to paint colorful aerosol artwork on the walls of a 200,000-square-foot factory building.

Once I got to the end of the line in Flushing I hopped off the train for a quick stroll through Chinatown before hopping back on to head to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, a 1225-acre park built for the 1939 World Fair. When I arrived, by a happy coincidence, I stumbled upon a huge Colombian Independence Day festival. There were so many people and everyone was wearing the Colombian colors of yellow, blue, and red - much more vibrant than America's red, white, and blue. I wanted to have some food there but the lines were just too long for me and the vegetarian options were limited.

Colombian Independence Day at Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Once I walked through the park and festival I jumped back on the train for a couple of stops until I got to 103rd St-Corona Park (Corona named after the suburb, not the beer - but for all I know the burb could be names after the beer) for a long walk down Roosevelt Ave. This stretch of Roosevelt (I walked for 50 blocks) took me through the Hispanic center of Queens. Everything was written in Spanish and many of the people did not speak any English at all. That was fine by me though, I practiced my Spanish - "Quiero agua, por favor."

After 30 blocks Roosevelt was supposed to turn from Hispanic into Indian. At this point I saw maybe 3 Indian shops, and one Arab shop. It seems as though the Hispanic area has expanded since Sept 2008 when the Lonely Planet New York was last updated, right in the midst of the Great Recession. Anyways, I kept walking for another 20 blocks for no apparent reason, although I am glad I did - I ended up finding a store that was selling sweet Rip Curl board shorts for only $5. I bought Russell 2 pair since most of his are pretty torn up.

Walking down Roosevelt Ave., Queens

After fifty blocks of walking I was ready to get back on the train and headed to Manhattan and Grand Central. Once in Grand Central I discovered where the whispering room is located. There were a bunch of people trying it out. I can't wait to have visitors around to try that with me... I also ate my dinner at Grand Central - delicious Indian food. My favorite part was the potato somosa with chuntey. Delicious! After eating my dinner I grabbed a super mini vanilla cheesecake to take home from the Magnolia Bakery. After that, I headed home.

Oh and the cheesecake was delicious!

A map of my Queens walking tour:


View Queens Walking Tour in a larger map

MoMa - Museum of Modern Art

Study for Luxe, calme et volupté, Henri Matisse

Today after cleaning Ziggy's litter box I went to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa, for short). This is the third museum I have visited, but I definitely did not save the best of the big three  for last. Actually, I'd say that I visited them in my order of preference - the Museum of Natural History, followed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), and lastly the Museum of Modern Art. I love the natural sciences and anthropology, so it mades sense the the Museum of Natural History was my favorite. The Met is a mix of anthropology and art, so it was a nice middle ground. But the MoMa... maybe I just don't get modern art. I didn't find the MoMa very striking. Of course there was some beautiful artwork that stopped my in my tracks, but there was a lot of work that left me scratching my head wondering, "So this is what they call art?"

Luncheon on the Grass, Pablo Picasso

The MoMa does house van Gogh's Starry Night, my favorite painting (well one of my favorites, now that I have been introduced to Monet and others). Besides being a New York icon, seeing Starry Night was one of the main reasons I wanted to go to the MoMa. Although I feel that Starry Night and van Gogh's other painting, Olive Trees, would have fit better at the Met.

The MoMa also had a bunch of Picasso's. I must say that Picasso is growing on me. I like all of the shapes and colors - I can search his paintings for however long I want and always find something new that I hadn't noticed before, this is especially true of his sketches.

Street Food

One exhibit that I especially liked was one called "Rising Currents: Projects for New York's Waterfronts. This project basically re-envisions the coastlines of New York and New Jersey around New York Harbor in an attempt to put forward new ideas that would transform the harbor into “soft” infrastructures that promote good ecology, and in the future, will help prevent New York City from being inundated by rising sea levels. The plan comes is a five part solution and is actually very ingenious, if only there was enough political might and public interest in getting a project like this going. My favorite solution was Oyster-Tecture. Basically the plan is to suspend a matrix of nets below that water that will hold native oysters. There will be spaces between the clumps of oysters for sea life and for people to scuba dive, swim, and snorkel. Eventually the oyster clumps will become mini islands that will be connected by walking paths for the public to enjoy. The oyster islands will not only act as a recreational area for the people of NYC, but will also act as a storm barrier, causing waves to break up and prevent large storm surges. You can see a mini version of the plan in the photos I took.

I also liked the Tree of Wishes - a gift from Yoko Ono. You write a wish on a tab with a string then tie it onto this small tree. I wished for a peaceful end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and for the end of the war in Afghanistan. Neither are likely to happen any time soon, but one can hope. Maybe Obama will pick up Newsweek magazine this Sunday featuring a cover story by Richard Haass called "Rethinking Afghanistan: We're not winning. It's not worth it. Here's how to draw down in Afghanistan."

Radio City Music Hall

After the museum I took a walk through Rockefeller Center and the diamond district. I wonder if people are aware of where some of those diamonds come from and the circumstances in which they are obtained.

I also had some street food today. Generally street food is pretty great, but today the rice was only ok, the falafel was really dry, and the salad was tasteless. What a letdown. Oh well. I always am thankful that I have the ability to have food whenever I want it.

Also, I have met flickr's photo limit of 200. I am thinking of migrating to Goggle's Picasa. Has anyone tried out Picasa?

Brooklyn Bridges falling down... wait. no. That was the London Bridge

Erica in front of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan

After my trip to the Met last Saturday I really wanted to go to another museum, but decided to save that for this upcoming weekend. Instead, I decided to go shopping for some new sneakers. I didn't bring and sneakers with me to New York, only sandals and work shoes because my shoes were getting pretty old and they were starting to be uncomfortable. Plus I had no room in my bags! Leaving New York will be fine because I am going to mail my mom all of my work clothes and shoes - hopefully I will make it down to just my big backpackers bag.

Saint Paul's Chapel

Anyways, I took the 4 train down to Century 21, that great store I have already mentioned that has name brands at super discount prices (not that I am a brand snob, I just like a good deal). The store is right next to the 9/11 site (where an 18th century ship was just uncovered) and the train dropped me off in front of St. John's Chapel. The last time I went there, during my walking tour, the cemetery was closed. This time, however, it was open so I took a stroll through the graves, many of whose names have been wiped clean from hundreds of years of rain. Funerals and burials have always seemed so odd to me. Spend a nice chunk of change on the funeral, plus a shining casket as well as a headstone, just to have the new casket buried under dirt and the headstone wiped clean of all traces of you name and any other information. I think funerals are obviously for the people that have been left behind - so they have a place to mourn and a place to come and remember. But after a generation or two, sometimes even less, headstones just become a part of the scenery and eventually they go back to the rocks and dust that they were made from, just like the bodies that lie beneath.

It was also an odd feeling being in a cemetery the overlooks ground zero. I can't put my finger on why that is, and I can't describe the feeling I had either - peaceful yet unsettling may be the best was to describe it...

Panorama of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan

After walking among the headstones (which by the way people were giving me odd looks because I didn't stay on the path, but isn't that what a cemetery for?) and relaxing on a bench I decided to get moving and headed to the store for some shopping. I went straight to the shoe section - very difficult to find, by the way - and you wouldn't believe it! They had WOMENS athletic shoes in my size! This is the first time this has ever happened to me! They, of course, did not have any dress shoes in my size but just the fact that they had athletic shoes in a size 12 was incredible! Now I own my first pair of shoes that are designed for a women's foot, which also meant that I could buy a color that is generally characterized as girly - bright pink! I always get blue shoes from the men's department, but I finally got to buy a pair of pink shoes! They are not all pink - then I would just look like a clown with how big my feet are - they are mostly grey but with pink detail. Now I have a brand new pair of pink Nikes. Unfortunately, the day after I bought them I read this article about Nike burning tons of rubber scraps per day from their factory in Indonesia (who knows how often is occurs elsewhere). Sad. I wonder if they know how many things scrap rubber can be used for?

The Brooklyn Bridge

After shopping - I also bought a few other things - I started to head back to the subway and decided to walk a a station a bit further away by City Hall Park. That station is also near the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. Rather than going home I decided that I should just walk across the the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the oldest suspension bridges in the US - and off I went. By the way, always walk first then shop - otherwise you are just stuck walking with a giant bag of stuff!

It turned out to be a good decision to take that walk because it was just beautiful - the view of Manhattan, the view of Brooklyn, the weather (the clouds were stunning and there were lightning flashes over Midtown), and the water of the East River below. As I was walking across I noticed a park down below in Dumbo (Dumbo = down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, oh New York and all of its acronyms) and decided that I would try and make my way down to it. I found the park, which was really easy considering that it was on the waterfront, and the view was spectacular! Right in between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge. Also, a wedding ceremony was also being set up - what a nice day for a wedding.

Down in DUMBO - view of the Brooklyn Bridge & Manhattah Btidge

I took a little break on some rocks then headed to the subway to try and make it to Lombardi's - the first place pizza was introduced to America. After walking in circles I finally found the place. My expectation was that I would be able to just walk in and get a quick slice, but no. Lombardi's is more like a sit down place, and there were a lot of people waiting outside for a table so I just walked right past - that will be somewhere I go with my Mom and Matt when they come for a visit or with Russell when he arrives.


I took the long train ride home and grabbed a bit to eat at a local diner, of which I had higher expectations. Too bad it was a letdown. Oh well, at least the shake was good, very small, but good nonetheless. The rest of the night I hung out at home with Ziggy the cat.. one day I will have to write a post about how awesome Ziggy is!

Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Skyline

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Another excellent weekend! After sleeping in and lounging around the house for a while I decided that i had better get outside and get moving, so I hopped on the train and decided to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met, for short). Again, like all of my other weekend adventures, the museum did not let down!

For general admission it is $20, but for students it is only $10 - yes! I've noticed that at museums around here you don't pay for admission. The sales clerks always say, "It is suggested that you make a $10 donation. Is that ok?" This time I asked the guy what would happen if I said that I didn't want to pay $10. He told me that he would just ask how much I wanted to pay and then that is what I would pay. So apparently they can't charge you, but prefer that you make the suggested donation. I think that you car really say that you don't want to make a donation and they would still have to let you in. I would try it, but $10 is nothing for a nice day in a lovely air conditioned building.

Upon entrance I went directly to the gift shop to get some postcards, which I still need to write on and mail out. I also bought two rocking blue bracelets... well I bought one at the beginning, then another one later when I decided that they would look rad as cuffs. Anyways, after that quick stop I entered that galleries. I started with the Egyptian Wing. It was full of art, sarcophaguses (or sarcophagi, whatever you prefer), sculptures, and actual walls from some of the buildings and tombs in Egypt. The Egyptian Wing was certainly one of my favorite parts of the Museum (along with Islamic, Asian, and Oceanic Art). It still creeps me out a little that we dig up bodies that have been entombed for thousands of years. Seems so disrespectful. I wonder if there will be any creatures around to to the same to us in a few thousand years. Another thing I found interesting were the ancient flip-flops on display. I guess it's true - some things never go out of style!

After the Egyptians came the American Wing....zzzzzz.... snooze. I didn't much like the over the top furnishings and huge beds... there wasn't really much art, mostly just artifacts, I guess you would call them. Early American artifacts. I went through there pretty fast and made my way through Medieval Art and on to European Sculpture and Decorative Art. I went through those two sections rather quickly. Then came a small Modern Art section, which was ok. Next was Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas - kind of an odd group to cluster together, but whatever, it was one of my favorite areas! I took some good photos in that area but when I got home some of the photos were destroyed! I was a little upset over loosing a few really good photos, oh well though, no use in staying upset. Anyways, I thought the Ambrym Silt Gongs were really neat, and really huge! They are one of the largest freestanding musical instruments on earth and can carry sound for miles enabling them to be used for communication over very long distances - even, in some cases, between islands! All of the colorful headgear and costumes were neat as well.

The last section of the first floor was the Greek and Roman Art. The art was nice but what I enjoyed even more were the sculptures. They are all so big and beautiful and all with such detail. Just as I do with art work (and sarcophaguses), I like to look at the expressions on the faces of the sculptures, well the ones who still have faces anyways.

After finishing my tour of the first floor I went on up to the second floor where I spent most of my time in the Asian Art area. I especially liked the Ancient Near Eastern Art, Islamic Art, and South Asian Art sections. Upstairs there was also sections for Cypriotic, Central Asian, Korean, Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Japanese Art, along with more American and Modern Art.

Two Cut Sunflowers, Vincent van Gogh

Another area that I spent a lot of time in was the European Paintings Hall. That is where I saw my very first real life Vincent van Gogh painting, who, up until this point, has been my favorite painter with his "Starry Night," (Starry Night is not in the Met, but is at the MoMa, where I will go this coming weekend) but after seeing some Monet I think Mr. van Gogh has some serious competition in vying for the favorite spot in my book. There were two paintings that I absolutely adored, but the descriptions of them were among the photos that never made it out of my camera, so now I don't know their titles or the painter... maybe you can help? You can see them here and here.

Currently, there is Pablo Picasso exhibit going on at the Met. It is quite large and shown many of his famous works as well as many of his lesser known works that he created throughout this life. There was even one, called Erotic Scene, finished in 1982, that Picasso himself disowned and is now on display for the first time ever, well since April 2010. That painting was getting quite a lot of attention and elicited more than a few giggles. I'd say my favorite Picasso painting that is saw was Guitar and Clarinet on a Mantelpiece (1915). I also enjoyed The Dreamer (1932) and Bacchanal with Kid and Spectator (1959).

Erica on the roof of the Met

After spending some time admiring all of the artwork at the museum I must say that I think I enjoy bright, vivid colors but I also enjoy a good neutral colored painting, especially ones with blues (such as uitar and Clarinet on a Mantelpiece). I also found that I like Pointillism very much.

Once I had seen everything I began heading for the exit when I recalled seeing a sign that pointed to an elevator to the rooftop garden - there is not way I was going to miss a rooftop garden! And good thing too, it was spectacular!!! The Met, you see, is in Central Park, so the view from the roof looks over the park towards downtown Manhattan. What an incredible view and there was a nice breeze blowing - just perfect. I decided that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a cool drink on the roof of the Met, because really how often will I get that chance. I put down $12 for a deliciously fruity martini, walked to the edge and stood drinking in the flavors, the view, the breeze, and the wonderful day.

Metropolitain Museum of Art rooftop view

Hallelujah - it is not a bed bug!

Today as I was talking with Russell on Skype I saw a little bug crawling across my bed. I flicked it away thinking that it was a tiny spider then realized that it may have been a bed bug!! Gross! I have been a bit paranoid lately about bed bugs because two Abercrombie stores were shut down in New York recently and since that made news more and more stories about New York's bed bug problem have been coming to light. I went shopping yesterday and when I saw the bug today I thought that I may have brought home a bed bug with me.

Luckily, I didn't actually flick the bug away like I had attempted (I searched the floor for five minutes for that thing!) but rather just grazed it then put my roasting computer on top of it, which I think may have been what killed it. So I have the little bug in tact, he was not squished. First thing I did was think, "Yes this is a spider!" - a phrase that I never imagined myself thinking. The I counted the legs: Arachnida - 8 legs, Insecta - 6 legs. Crap, this one has 6 legs...it is a bed bug. Panic sets in and I scour the bed for more, none. Lift the bed to look under, none. Check the wooden frame, none. So I get online to do some research and bed bugs are rare to spot - that is a plus for me since this little guy was out in the open. Then I see photos that match exactly what this one, now in a plastic container, look like. The photo is titled "bed bug." Damn.

Enter stage 2 freak-out.

But I couldn't find any other photos that matched the description of my specimen for confirmation, so I did more research. I started to calm down with the more information I found that did not match my situation. No bed bug droppings, no bites (of course if this were a bed bug that hitched in yesterday he may have just now made it from the other room where my clothes are to the room I sleep in).

Spider beetle - not a bed bug

Finally I came across a website that told me, with photos, what bugs are commonly misidentified as bed bugs - and there was my guy! And it was not a bed bug!!!!! What a relief. I confirmed this with a quick google search for "spider beetle." Here is a photo that I took of the beetle. ---->

What was crawling across my bed was a stray Spider Beetle. They do not bite, and do not feed on humans at all. What a relief! I've heard so many horror stories about dealing with bed bugs. I am still going to keep my eyes open, though, for any signs of the little creatures - mostly out of paranoia...

One good thing to come out of all of this: I now know how to check for a bed bug infestation - an excellent skill for someone who likes to travel as much as I do.

PS: Posts about my weekend outings to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and my walk across the Brooklyn Bridge are coming soon, hopefully tomorrow.

Fourth of July Weekend

Empire State Building

Saturday I took myself on another walking tour. I started at Union Square Park where there was a farmers market. I had to wheat grass, which I later regretted because it gave me a terrible stomach ache. And I got that stomach ache while waiting in line to get a shake from the famous Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. The line was incredibly long and by the time I was set to order I was feeling sick and cranky. Then when I got the chocolate shake it was a total let down! I didn't even finish a quarter of it - what a waste of time and money! I did take a little nap under the shade trees in the park until my stomach felt better, then tanned a bit in the sun before continuing my walk.

While walking I came across two sample sales. I had read about sample sales in my Lonely Planet book and have always wanted to check one out. What they say about sample sales is true - there are some serious designer clothes in there for 70-90% off. I was so tempted to buy something, but I remembered reading the Lonely Planet warning: don't buy something just because of the label and the cheap prices, you need to really like it. For example, I found a dress that was $1,500 originally, discounted to $135. Good deal, right? Well, one hundred and thirty five dollars is a lot of money for me no matter how you look at it, so I put the lovely dress down and walked out. Maybe I will go to another one again sometime - it can be fun trying on a bunch of fancy clothes.

Times Square at Night

Next I headed to the Empire State Building and decided to catch the sunset from the top. I have heard that the lines are insane but I saw that people were flying through so I took my chances and went in. Unfortunately the line that was moving quickly was the security line and once I passed that I saw that it would be at least one hour  of waiting to get to the top. Then I remembered reading that if you buy you ticket online then you can pass the line. So I got out of line and decided that I would just wait for another day when I could buy a ticket online.

Times Square

After leaving the Empire State Building I took a walk down 5th Avenue and did some window shopping at all the fancy stores. Then I realized that I was near Times Square so I headed that way to see it lit up at night, and man was it lit up! It is like day time there with all of the lights! I walked up to the top of these bleacher-like stairs that are lit up with red lights and hung out there for a while taking in all of the lights and people (there are many more people there at night than during the day). The as I was heading to the subway I noticed someone was playing one of the public pianos that have been set up throughout the city for anyone to play. The guy who was playing was great! He could play any song and sing along as well. People would shout out songs and he would just do his thing. Everybody was clapping and singing along too! It was so much fun! I stayed there for at least an hour listening to him play.

Times Square Piano Man

Once the piano man had to leave I decided to leave a well, so I headed to the subway to make my way home and go to bed. It is difficult sleeping when it is so damn hot out. At night it doesn't get an lower than 75ºF - that is the coolest it gets! Oh well, better get used to it. I hear it only gets worse in August.

Yesterday, the 4th of July, I headed to a waterfront park to view the fireworks. I am not really one for crazy drunken people so I came to this park where there was only limited access and mostly families. I got a great spot on the lawn, had some frozen lemonade, worked on my tan, and came close to finishing Freefall. I had to get there early to get a good spot before the closed off the park, after which they begin finning up the street behind the park. After relaxing in the park for 5 hours the show started and it was beautiful! A bunch of fireworks being set of simultaneously across the water for a half hour. The show is supposed to be America's largest and it is nicknamed "The Golden Mile" because boats set off fireworks for one mile along the Hudson River.

Hudson River Sunset

After the show was over I busted out of the park as quick as I could while other people were still packing their things. I am so glad that I am a light packer. All I brought was my purse with a book and camera and a sarong tied to the strap. Plus, one person maneuvering through a HUGE crowd is much easier than when you are with a group, so I made it out rather quickly and got onto the subway before the trains started to get too full. That was definitely the most people I have seen on the streets in my life though. Everywhere I looked there were people - and I wasn't even in the thick of it!

It was another hot night and I slept terribly. Luckily today I don't have to work so I was able to sleep in, but that means that I am not going to the beach this weekend. Ah well, maybe next weekend!

Get here early if you want a spot on the grass