This has been my mantra about Paris since the first time I visited there many years ago. I know how cliché it sounds, but Paris has been my favorite refuge over the years. And, indeed, at the times in my life when I felt the need to get away, get inspired or just get in touch with myself, I have fled to Paris. There’s something about the bustle of the people, the art, the music the food, the language…..I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it’s invigorating and I always come away feeling re-energized and excited about life. I have the same feelings after my trip to New York City this past week.
I had been to New York City many times when I was working. I had a satellite office there, right above Penn Station. I would take the train from Washington, DC about twice a month to my office, work the day and then head out and about in the evenings in Time Square for a fun evening at the theater, or a shopping spree or a nice dinner. I thought I knew the city fairly well. But, in reality, I never strayed too far from this part of the city. I didn’t have time. I was working. So, as I walked through the city for the last few days, I was amazed at how much is here….and how much I had missed all of those years ago.
I was in need of a museum fix, which was why I decided to add New York City to my itinerary this time. I had never visited the museums in the city and thought at the very least, this would tide me over until I could get to Paris. The Upper East Side of the city seemed like a perfect location.
I was right!
Each morning when I walked out of my hotel, I was reminded of the quiet section of Madrid and the residential area of Rome where I stayed during some visits a number of years back. There were people bustling around all of the time and there was significant traffic, but it was quiet somehow. I could sit peacefully at the outdoor café around the corner from my hotel, sip my coffee and read or add to my blog. I could easily and safely walk around my neighborhood and do some window- shopping in the variety of upscale shops on the adjacent streets. I could also walk a few blocks in any direction and find a great restaurant for a meal when I was hungry.
“Museum row” started just a few blocks from the hotel. I walked along 5th Avenue, a very pleasant tree lined street that runs along the east side of “Central Park”.
One could stroll or take a rest on one of the many benches along the way and watch the people, get a snack from one of the many food carts along the way….
….or wander among the many booths that housed artists showing their wares.
It was quite pleasant.
First, I visited the “Met”.
There, I was happy to find artwork of every kind. I could have been visiting the “Louvre” in France or the “Prado” in Madrid. As often occurs for me, I happened into the museum just as a tour was starting. This one was a highlights tour of the museum. Perfect! I joined in and found the “docent” who escorted us to be very informative and also entertaining. She walked us through some of the great works to include a painting of the “Waterlilies” by Monet,
a “painting within a painting” by Matisse, and a wooden African sculpture that had, what looked like “shrapnel” sticking out all over his body. The guide helped us to interpret what we were seeing. It was fascinating and gave us a basis for viewing the other works of art that we would see on our own in the museum.
All of the great masters were there. When I viewed the Cezanne painting of “Mount Sainte Victoire”, I was reminded of my stay in Aix en Provence where I viewed many renditions of Cezanne’s beloved mountain. It reminded me of my lively afternoon hike on the mountain with a group of retired French folks that I met along the way. My apartment there had a view of the mountain and, so, I studied it often and came away with my own perspective on its beauty. It was fun to, once again, compare notes with Cezanne.
I was intrigued at the “Met” by the roof top garden and café that had it’s own fun works of art in the form of white, digitally produced sculptures laid out on long dining tables that looked like they were ready for diners to sit and join them for a meal.
And, the city view from this vantage point was spectacular.
I visited the “Frick Museum” the next day,
which reminded me in ambiance of the “Momarton” Museum in Paris, a house that displayed different types of artwork, but primarily Monets. The “Frick” didn’t have any Monet’s, but the intimacy of the museum was the same. The small size allowed me to move at my own pace through the museum, get up close to the art and form my own opinions. It was delightful.
When I stepped into the impressionist section of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), much to my surprise, I found a long panel of the Monet “waterlilies”…
….that transported me back to my visits to my favorite museum in Paris, l’Orangerie. L’Orangerie contains a section with 2 circular rooms that display long panels of the Monet “waterlilies”. They are connected together without a break between and present as one scene on the walls of the circular room. I love how you can sit in the middle of the room and feel like you are sitting in the middleof the garden of Giverny itself where these works were painted. The room in MoMA had this same feel, although the works were not quite as extensive.
MoMA had a wide variety of works to look at….
,
….as well as a display on Frank Lloyd Wright, which I found very interesting .
Saturday, when I had had my fill of museums, I ventured down to “Time Square” to see if I could find tickets for a play.
As I looked up at the tall buildings, the lighted marquis, the huge screens with scrolling advertisements and the masses of people walking along the streets, I was reminded of the spectacle of Las Vegas. Just as when I have visited Vegas, I loved absorbing the chaotic energy that was generated. It was invigorating.
I stood in line at the discount ticket booth and began to talk to the people who were standing in line with me about the plays….which ones they saw and liked. After some interviewing, I decided on “Beautiful”, the story of Carole King.
It was just great. The person who played Carole King was outstanding and I enjoyed hearing her music that was popular back when I was in college.
I also learned that she wrote many familiar tunes that were performed by other artists. Who knew! My reward for standing in the discount ticket line was a seat in the 4th row on the aisle. The seat, and the play were both fantastic!
Walking back to my hotel, I happened on to a street fair that reminded me of the markets that I have seen in France, Germany, Switzerland, and in my own hometown. There were booths selling all kinds of things….hats, dresses, food of all types ….just about anything you could think of.
And, did I mention the fine meals that I had throughout? They were all fantastic!
And, now, as I am writing this post, I am thinking about how I was right there in one city that, literally, offered me all of the things I love the most about traveling. And, I have only skimmed the surface!
I left New York City feeling satiated…physically and intellectually. And….I am wondering where else in the world I could go for a mere few days and come away with this much satisfaction.
I’m drawing a blank.
New York City might be my new Paris……
…..or at least a close second……
It will always be a good idea.
Travel With Betsy 
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