Day 6: On Wings of Reflection

My time spent along the East Coast in New York City is now a pleasant memory. I hopped a plane out of LaGuardia this morning and routed through St. Paul/Minneapolis to land back in Boise, just in time for dinner. My legs are still in tact, but the aches from the zillion miles of walking are beginning to pique and lend way to mobility complications. A series of migraine auras, which inevitably lead to grinding heaches, has randomly ensued.

On wings of reflection, the two things I loved about visiting New York:
1) The collision of fiction with reality; being able to stand in landmarks made famous through books, movies, sit-coms, and other forms of media.
2) My familiarity with the insomnia of a city that never sleeps.

On wings of reflection, a few things I noticed about New Yorkers:
1) No one Bluetooths; they only use dangling ear buds and talk through the mouth piece.
2) Everyone eats fries with miniscule pitchforks, instead of their fingers.
3) Despite the diverse population, everyone I encountered was beyond friendly. That was an unexpected bonus.

On wings of reflection, it is now back to the reality of being a West Coast gal...who has Multiple Sclerosis.

Day 5: Silent Noise

I am grateful for tender mercies of the Sabbath Day. A day of rest can help silence the noise of chronic burning, tingling, throbbing pains, and prepare me to face the week ahead.

The Brooklyn Bridge is such a massive structure and masterful work of intricate art. I caught myself soaking in the landscape and history as I walked through its breezy majesty that I only captured one quick photo, but my mind is flooded with memories.

Wall Street. The New York Stock Exchange, Federal Hall where George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States, and Trinity Church were points of interest and quick touring.

The World Trade Center. The Memorial and the 9/11 Museum were powerful reminders that America will not bow to terrorism. Photographs were not allowed to be taken throughout the majority of the exhibit, but the walls were filled with quotes, recordings, artifacts, and video of the 2,977 unsung heroes that existed on that horrific day. One such man was simply Bandana. He put a red bandana over his mouth to prevent smoke inhilation, took some people to safety, then went back in the failing building to find others needing rescue. When his body was later found, survivors confirmed it was the same man who saved them. The silent noise in that museum was completely humbling. It puts my complaints about Multiple Sclerosis into perspective.

The Staten Island Ferry paced at a good clip through the harbor, and offered some beautiful views of the city scape and Lady Liberty.

I searched high and low through Little Italy to find spumoni ice cream, but had to settle for the world's most delicious cannoli at Ferrara. I'll take that.

Day 4: R & R

After attending morning services at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints third floor chapel, it was time to hail an Uber and give three cheers for New York style Rest & Relaxation...

Day 3: The Only Thing

Sleep did not fail me last night. I got about four hours worth, and am grateful I felt rested for about an hour afterward...if. Coney Island, Brighton Beach, and Brooklyn were the agenda for today via the NYC Subway F train.

Coney Island. The Cyclone, built in 1927, is a deceptively innocent and wildly fast ride, not for the faint of heart. I'm still waiting for my stomach to find me. I rode as a single rider and nearly flew over the side of my coaster car on the turn landing the first steep drop. No joke. I am a known thrill-seeker, and have mastered modern roller coasters like Tatsu and V2: Vertical Velocity. But the thrill stops here. Scary WOW!

The only thing I have ever wanted to visit Coney Island for: Nathan's Famous hot dog. It did not disappoint.

The New York Aquarium is under major construction after the damage it sustained from Hurricane Sandy, but viewing the few exhibits currently open made it a great way to celebrate World Oceans Day.

The Russian flair of Brighton Beach/Brooklyn remained reminiscent of the yesterdays (circa 1986).

I walked several miles of solid, but uneven, ground around Brooklyn. The air was hot and damp while temperatures quickly crept, but the breeze off the Atlantic Ocean circulated enough cool air to sustain my afternoon energy. Thankfully.

The instant I came up the 42nd Street Subway stairwell and stepped onto Manhattan pavement again, the stagnant humidity settled between lines of high rises stifled my breathing. It felt like I was suffocating. The only thing I could do was stop, double-over (say a quick prayer for help), and force deep, slow breaths. Eventually, a breeze, with a hint of cool refreshment, came through Bryant Park behind the library so I was able to walk the remaining few blocks to my hotel.

My body is completely exhausted from that unexpected episode. It also put a tiny glitch in evening plans. But, at least I have cold air circulating through my hotel room to cool my nerves. Right now, that is the only thing I need.

Day 2: Time And Time Again

After attempting to sleep through what seemed like hours of warm electric waves pulsating through my body from head to toe, it was time to face the glare of a rising sun, peering through my 29th floor Marriott Hotel room window, and greet a New York Friday morning.

Time Square. Time and time again, I've watched all the hype on TV and cheered in anticipation for Dick Clark to ring in each new year. But, I'm sorry folks, the ball that drops is small. I giggled, then shook my head in utter disappointment.

Swatch. A classic Swiss time-telling device which has become all but obsolete on the West Coast. When I told my kids I had a giant watch as my wall clock during my early years of college, they never believed such an item exists. Now I have proof from the Swatch shop wall.

The Manhattan LDS Temple provided a valuable time of quiet solitude from the hustle of New York City streets and a spiritual boost from the bustle of my own personal life struggles.

Central Park (on foot this time) was the prime location to people-watch and see bridges made famous by movies, but I mostly wasted time taking obligatory duck-face selfies.

Tea Time at the Russian Tea Room. The serene ambiance, the sophisticated young Russian waiter, and a delicious stroganoff meal (which melted like chocolate mousse cake in my mouth) created an exquisite fine dining experience.

School of Rock at Winter Garden Theater was, quite simply, rocked an amazing performance!

There is always time for a sample of chocolate before calling it a night. After walking another 50 something blocks today--about half of that in a pair of adorable black heels--I actually deserve it. [wink]

I am always unsure what the consequences of today will be tomorrow, physically speaking. Yet, time and time again I tell myself that the adventure outweighs the cost of pain.

Day 1: Fasten My Seatbelt

Today I embarked on a journey I have dreamt of taking my entire life: scale the sights of New York City. My excitement, sprinkled with fear, has me curious how my Multiple Sclerosis will handle the task of walking along the loud, crowded streets under hot temperatures and high humidity. Only time will reveal.

Until then, staring down the plane seat in front of me, I will heed the sound advice to sit back, fasten my seat belt, and taste The Big Apple adventure!

CONTINUATION:

With less than a 30 minute lay-over, there was absolutely no time to browse the St. Paul/Minneapolis airport after landing. Arriving at the tail end of Gate F16 required a brisk walk through three concourses to clear the departure for LaGuardia at Gate C8. Barely had time for a quick potty break before boarding, but it could not be compromised (whew!). Fastened in my seat belt for the second time, I took a couple deep breaths, then giggled at the world's tiniest pretzel sitting on my snack tray.

Why, thank you!

Fastened for the third time in my first New York taxi seat belt. What a thrill!

First site to see, after eating a slice of New York pizza from The Original Little Italy on 42nd Street in Manhattan, was my own personal slice of heaven, also known as The New York Public Library (NYPL). The declaration etched in the granite above the Beauty and Truth fountain on the face of the extraordinary building really resonated with me, "But above all things, truth beareth away the victory." Ahhh. So, beautiful; so full of truth.

An underlying theme of "Ghostbusters" actually guided my ventures today. The movie oozes New York sentiment. The iconic opening scene takes place in the Rose Reading Room of NYPL. I was prepared to hike three flights of countless marble stairs to spend quality time gazing in amazement at the detailed architecture. Unfortunately, that room and the Bill Blass Public Catalog Room are currently closed for restoration.

Refusing to step away too disappointed (not even possible), I scoured the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, thumbed through geneological records in the Milstein Division, then bought a few trinkets in the gift shop.

The Upper West Side tower where Dana (Gatekeeper) and Louis (Keymaster) live in the movie was visible during a carriage ride through Central Park. Then, I was so intrigued hearing the real history of Tavern on the Green that I failed to get a snapshot of it. *sigh*

Day one is drawing to a close. The city never sleeps, and rarely do I. My nostrils smell fried nerves and my legs are nearing the border of cramping. With walking several hours at a fast, steady pace across the distance of a lengthy airport, up numerous flights of stairs, and over 50 uneven city block sidewalks, my foot drop kicked in as I rounded the corner to the hotel. But, tonight I chose not to fasten my seat belt because it will take more than one stumble on the edge of a broken cement slab to keep me from taking another bite of The Big Apple and moving about the cabin.