A visit to Midtown Manhattan

[mtbc]

My employer has a major office near Grand Central in NYC and this past week I attended an internal on-site for my, er, division or whatever, I don't know how the hierarchy is categorized.

I'm more used to Newark than JFK so I came into Newark then took NJ Transit to Penn Station, which I'm used to from taking Amtrak from Boston, etc. Perhaps a lucky choice, given what shadowkat mentions about current signage in Grand Central. Just as the rail link to Paris wasn't working when I last wanted to get in from the airport, this time the little "air train" thing from the station to the terminals wasn't in service, to get to the airport proper we were jammed onto unsuitable shuttle buses: too many in each, without decent luggage storage. I realized that the secret is probably just to get off at the first terminal one reaches, go through security, then use the airside shuttle to the right terminal, those seem to remain pleasant and appropriate. The NJ Transit return train was rather better than the outbound, which was vaguely labeled New York, didn't have any next station display I could hear; the next station was, I think, uttered unintelligibly over an awful public address system.

Being flown by United was maybe the more disappointing economy experience I've had for some time. It's years since I used a US carrier but, goodness, I had so little room after the guy in front reclined their seat and the food was about the worst I've had in economy for a long time.

I don't know why but I continue to feel much more at home in the US, though more so in the kind of place mindstalk wouldn't encourage: central Ohio was about perfect for me in being open, sprawling, easy to drive around and park among. That's, er, not NYC. It was easy enough to navigate Midtown Manhattan on foot, everywhere I ate (almost all Asian) was good, but goodness the smells, and the lack of view with the tall buildings surrounding. My hotel room was quite decent indeed, though required some investigation to figure how to operate each light. I discovered the mini-refrigerator only on the last morning when doing my thorough pre-checkout search of the room.

As reported by shadowkat, there are some excellent metal tiles set into both sides of 41st, Library Way near the public library, each with quotes and such, my favorites were probably by Kate Chopin and Garson Kanin so I shall have to find out who those are. Bryant Park was less park than I had hoped for.

The weather was generally lovely, plenty of warm sunshine, I never needed my coat. I headed out of Manhattan sooner than necessary: it had gotten overly hot for a sensible stroll with luggage, and I wanted to get clear of Penn Station before the crowds and security descended for the Knicks game nearby, for which ticket prices became sky-high.

Comments

[shadowkat]

Mid-Town is possibly the worst part of NYC next to Times Square (that's where all the tourists go). Most New Yorkers avoid it? Most of us actually live in Brooklyn, Queens, the upper West Side, the upper East Side, or Tribeca/Battery City. It doesn't smell in those areas. Or I've grown used to it and don't notice any longer?

Bryant Park isn't much of a park - it's overly crowded and packed with seating and activities. Battery Park is actually better - much more in the way of trees, gardens, views and grassy lawns. Also not as crowded - mainly because the tourists make a bee line for the Statue of Liberty Ferries and ignore it completely. I like the financial district better than Midtown - it's easier to get around, there's the piers, you're closer to the ocean and rivers, and there's more selection of eateries.

You were lucky to get in and out of Newark without issues - it's been having issues all year long due to construction among other things. Also NJ Transit has been having issues as a result of Amtrak's construction on the tunnels - whose tracks they are on. Both NJ Transit and the Long Island Rail Road have been struggling with that. Penn Station has horrible signage - but it's nowhere near as bad as Grand Centrals.

If you'd gone through JFK - you could have taken the air train to the LIRR into either Grand Central or Penn Station. (I'd have advised Penn).

The problem with NYC? Is everyone who isn't a New Yorker or doesn't live here - thinks its just Mid-town Manhattan and the Financial District and Times Square. When in reality the vast majority of New Yorkers don't live there and only visit those areas for doctors appointments, work, and to see concerts and shows. We all live across the river in Brooklyn, in Greenwhich Village, Chelsea, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.

I actually see trees, roses, flowers, green grass and the ocean or rivers daily. And great views - from the subway on the way to and home - over the elevated track or viaduct in Brooklyn.

**

The Knicks Game is just a precursor for the World Cup. That's going to be a nightmare. I wish it wasn't being held here. Although technically - it's not? It's being held across the river in New Jersey at the Metlife Stadium - which you can't park at or get to by car - you have take the train, since there's no parking available. This is going to be a nightmare. The only way they can get there is by NJ Transit, apparently. So people have to take the subway and/or train to Penn Station, board NJ Transit, and get to the games. Worse - the tickets to take NJ Transit are expensive - they've been trying to lower them for months now.

The World Cup games are from June 12 to July 19, they are advising a lot of New Yorkers to work remotely or stay home and out of the city during this period. Add to that - the crowds coming for the 250th Anniversary of the US, and the Tall Ships Parade. So, try to get out of the city before the end of next week.

I wish I could. At least I work in the financial district and come there from South Brooklyn.