Culture high and low

Central Park

Walked through Central Park and spent the afternoon in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. So many things are just so beautiful, so right or so gobsmacking that I spent half the time with an amazed smile on my face. Each time I turned, a new wonder. Whole rooms draped in fading silks, bits of palaces from Assyria and Italy, a revolutionary era ballroom. The Frank Lloyd Wright room, showing how he still influences modern design. Degas' little dancer. A few van dycks, a pollock or two. So many amazing images I didn't have time to more than glance at so much. And I haven't found the van goghs yet. Definitely a repeat visit when I'm back.

In the American wing of Met Mus of Art

As I came out I saw that there had been a parade to celebrate Israel - I think the anniversary to the 1967 war. As I walked down 5th Ave, there were still some anti-Zionists protesting. I wish I'd taken a photo, because, dressed in observant black Jewish clothes and hats, they were confined to a small rectangle behind hip-high barriers surrounded by New York's finest facing outwards. I don't know if there had been trouble earlier, but the police had bunches of plastic restraints hanging off them.

I rounded off the day by going to 'Rock of Ages', celebrating 80s rock anthems. Great fun, dude. Standing ovation - American audiences are apparently more generous than us.

American tick offs: saw many fire hydrants; jay walked; saw steam coming out of a manhole cover as yellow taxis drove through it; ate a soft pretzel.

Central Park looking towards 5th Ave

The Armory section

Just a full facade inside the museum

Entry to the museum