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Goodbye Manhattan!
Our final week had some outstanding moments! The first of these was our visit to the 9/11Memorial and recently opened Museum. Both were extremely moving......the simplicity of the two pools placed in the footprint of the two buildings and with the names of all the deceased engraved around the outside in groupings of colleagues, the Californian pear tree which was the only tree to survive and which was nursed back to health and when we saw it was still in full autumn glory beside the dull brown of the recently planted white oaks......and then there was the museum!
An extraordinary building, it went right down to bedrock with remnants of steel structures from the original buildings. Sensitively curated and arranged with images, recorded voices from buildings and planes, a minute by minute history of the 4 attacks. We were both immensely moved by the sacrifice of the firemen who showed immense bravery in their attempts to evacuate the first building and died when it collapsed....350 including four retired firemen who had rushed in to help when they heard the news!
Monday saw us at The Cloisters (yes, Anne) after a very long bus trip which was interesting as it showed us a very different Manhattan.....Harlem, Columbia University, Washington Heights, Riverside Church which Wendy's dad attended in the 1930's and many diverse racial groups.
The Cloisters itself is an amazing reconstruction of mediaeval elements from Spain, France and Italy beautifully woven together around two cloistered gardens and three chapels. From the outside it looks like a large monastery on the crest of a hill beside the HudsonRiver at the northern end of Manhattan. It houses a beautiful collection of tapestries, art works, mediaeval sculptures and many other treasures...a real feast!
Paid a visit to Times Square on the way home....steps on the subway were a bit challenging for Wendy! Found our selves in 21st century razzle dazzle...a bit of a shock really!!
Rest of the week.....back to the Met, visit to the Guggenheim, 2 Broadway plays, walking the High Line, shopping at Macy's and lunch at the Oyster Bar at Grand Central. Going to see the Xmas tree at the Rockefeller centre tonight!
John has joined us mostly for evening activities as he has been fully involved in talks and discussions around his research on the role and value of elected members to the U.N Security Council and particularly that of Australia, whose two year term finishes in December. Today he is lunching with the Australian Ambassador to the U.N at the Embassy.
We'll be home on Monday a.m.......look forward to catching up with you over the next few days and weeks!
Love from us all
Wendy, John and Roe
- comments
Fiona That sounds so fantastic Mum. It must have been a big culture shock from medieval Spain to Times Square! We can't wait to see you and hear all the news. The Christmas tree has been erected here, in preparation of your return though we have left some of the decorating for you to do as well. I will meet you on monday morning and have handed over the classroom move to Phil. I think we deserve and good catch up!
Joanna Two very diverse buildings - they sound like good experiences in their different ways. Enjoy the musical theatre and come back refreshed! Love, Joanna
Ann Mallard Wonderful that you went to the Cloisters - Wendy, that was my mother's favourite place in the New York area. I am so impressed with all the sightseeing you have done. The blog idea really worked well - Thank you both for sharing. Love Ann