Grand Central, New York Public Library, Bryant Park, East Village, Soho, Oh my!

Grand Central Terminal

As Roberta wanted to take it easy, I started off my solo day at Grand Central, which is impressive and, like a TARDIS, bigger on the inside. Two tiers of platforms, a soaring celestial blue ceiling in the concourse, marble and chandeliers. Took a stroll through the fresh food market, with the best mouthwatering ingredients: pity the hotel room doesn't even have a microwave.

I had a few of my newly-purchased '50 adventures on foot' cards and so made my way to the New York public library, another impressive building and one which houses some great treasures: a draft of the declaration of independence, Charlotte Bronte's travelling desk, Virginia Woolf's walking stick and Malcolm X's briefcase, as well as books. An elephantine copy of Audubon's life-size renderings of American birds was open on Carolina parrots. A 15th century illuminated manuscript and a copy of the Gutenberg bible were also on display.

New York Public Library

Bryant Park

Around the back of the library is Bryant Park, at which I briefly rested and finished off my soft serve vanilla ice cream in a sugar cone. It is a lovely space and used for the film festival.

Then it was on to the East Village. A huge market had shut off four or so blocks of an avenue, so I had a stroll along there. It was pretty much simply a bigger version of our own markets, but more room to move as it was well spread out. I might have made a gift purchase.


The East Village is rather hip, with hip young things sitting on stoops smoking cigarettes. I purchased another 'sweet' gift. (That's a hint for you Justine). Sipping an organic iced lemon tea, I meandered along, finding my way to the lighting shops, which of course don't have things in stock for avid tourists to take away. This I found out after a fair amount of deliberation and going into all the shops. It wasn't wasted time, though, because it was quite amazing to walk amongst acres of chandeliers and I took the details of a model (not a chandelier) I liked.

Then along Spring St into Soho, where the shoppers were out in force. On this warm day, they seemed to be expending a lot of unnecessary energy. Got Mark's Levis for $64 for two pairs. Not sure about the wash etc, but for that price he can wear them up the farm. I resisted a lovely pair of Camper red clogs for $139, found a good bargain store up near the hotel and got two pairs of trousers and a pair of shorts for $82. Forgive the descent into consumerism, but that is part of the city experience.

The market

One other major part is people watching: there is an amazing parade of characters everywhere.