New York Day (Part two - Big MoMA's House)

From Little Korea I ventured "Uptown", jaywalking and pushing through the crowds just like a native. (Still, my NZ manners made me say sorry all the time...)

It was pretty easy to tell when I crossed the invisible line into the Upper East Side - the people, shops and noises are completely different. My homing instincts took me directly to the NY Public Library, which is a gorgeous building that makes even the homeless people begging on the steps look dignified.

The inside is no less magnificent, and I hope my photos will do it justice. It was a nice, quiet place to retreat to from the crowds, but one can only stay away from the excitment for so long - I ended back on 5th Ave soon enough. From there I visited St Pauls Cathedral (beautiful) and made a pilgrimage of a different kind to Trump Towers (ooh! aaah! The Apprentice etc etc).

Then it was aaaaallll about MoMA. It is an amazing space, with very white walls and good lighting (no suprises there), and I saw some amazing things: a lot of Picasso's, a Monet or two, Andy Warhol etc. It wasn't long before I noticed how few women artists are displayed. I most enjoyed the Architecture and Design galleries - up close, a jet engine blade is a beautiful thing. I sat in the sculpture garden, enjoying the balmy weather and the feeling of being alone in a big place. I had somewhow managed to avoid the crowds yet again, although the $20 entrance fee may put off most tacky tourists...

I think I must have missed said TTs, because I then decided to tackle Times Square.

It was quite a quick walk to the centre of everything. I was feeling uncertain about seeing the place during the day, but the quickly darkening skies sorted that out. Just as I saw my first ten storey billboard, the skies opened up and everyone scrambled for cover. Being a Wellingtonian, I just got out my rainjacket (thanks Mum!) and kept on walking. Honestly, these people are weird - it was still warm but there were cabs being called all over the place, and the men selling hotdogs and 'I Heart NY' shirts magically turn into umbrella hawkers ($10 an umbrella!!!).

So, with the streets somewhat cleared I was able to move around easily and just be amazed. It is not so much the size of the screens and the brilliance of the displays (they are amazing) that got me, but that people would spend so much money on advertising. I would have thought the traffic was too busy honking at the cars in front, making up new insults for pedestrians and talking on their cellphones to notice. But, it must work or they would have closed down long ago I suppose.

This is the part of my trip where I have most strongly wished I was travelling with a certain blue-bespectacled woman I know. There was a diverse range of plays on offer, and it would have been nice to share one of those and linger in the City after dark. Instead, my solo self started thinking about dinner and getting back to the hostel, which I did within the hour and fell into bed exhausted.

Tomorrow is my last day in NY, and I have two museums left to conquer. I may also chance a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge if I have an hour or two to spare.