US here we come

We left NYC for San Francisco on Monday 19th May. Here are some notes about our final weekend in Manhattan.

Saturday 17th:

Early morning. Took clothes to laundry on 10th Avenue. They charge by the pound – 12 lb cost $12. Good value.

Joey keen to go to a flea market to search for bargan second-hand rap CDs. We catch a taxi to the Chelsea/Gramercy area. On the way we notice a huge street party near us, on 9th Avenue, which has street stalls but still decide to go downtown. We find an Op-Shop and then a garage sale – a vast underground flea market with a wonderful variety of old stuff – collectables, antiques – all at great prices. It was very exciting to stumbvle upon it but, unfortunately, Joey and Hannah were both feeling alienated and Joan and I were under pressure to move on. I can’t believe this but I actually didn’t buy anything!!! We then found a flea market next to a church – this is where Joan found a stall selling ‘genuine’ mink.

We walked to Madison Square Park and saw a street procession of ethnic dancers – it went for miles, along Broadway. Hannah was very tired – gee, she’s done well for a 12 year old – and so we took her back to the hotel on W42nd and then headed off – just Joan, Joey and me – to Harlem by subway. Joan and I have already posted on this memorable experience. We gaain walked and walked for many miles to Central Park West, the extension of 8th Avenue. Joey is an excellent walker – he trucks long with his PDA earphones – but Joan and I were feeling zonked so we returned to midtown by subway.

After all that walking, I don’t know how joan and I managed to revive and head off – at 9.30 that night – for the famous Blue Note jazz club in the Village. The sky was remarkably clear and the moon shone upon us. We had stamina through exhilaration. The act – saxophonist Gato Barbieri – was good – a type of Latin Charlie Parker – but not great. After the gig, Joan and I walked 38 blocks back to W42nd Street. We went through some seddy areas but felt safe the whole time. We were back at our room at 1.30 Sunday morning. Joey nad Hannah were fast asleep in their respective beds. It was great to see so many people out on the streets of Manhattan so late at night – mostly young folk celebrating their youthfulness!

Sorry I must sign off for now – still having to use hotel internet (50 cents a minute). Will continue another time. Sunday 18th was also an action packed day.

Barry

Tags: Travel

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