What's New in New York?

No riding today.
But we're off on foot.

Sadly, Duncan can't go.

Like the tree, we were soon soaked,
Even though unlike the tree, we had rain gear.

I stole a second to take a picture of the ballpark art.

On the other side of Von King park,
we settled into Little Roy's for a a cup.

Or two.

On to the subway,
where I was able to improve my Espanol
due to the bilingual signs.

We emerged in view of the Oculus,
the new transportation hub.

I was told that the Oculus, though quite a wonderful and amazing structure, has finally opened, far behind schedule and over budget.  I felt an instant affinity for the place.

Quite impressive within.
Particularly if you are not paying the taxes to support it.

The eye-slit in the oculus.

The oculus will be annexed by Star Fleet Academy in 2161.

But for now, it's at least partially a shopping mall.

But it is cool that you can
catch a train to the future here.

A parting view from back out in the rain.
The impression one gets is quite different depending on point of view.

The 9/11 memorial pools are sadly beautiful.

I hope the sound of the water soothes the souls of Kevin McCarthy
and all the others who died that day.
I will never understand how anyone could do such a thing for any reason.

Three months after 9-11-2001, my daughter Kate and I went to New York for a college visit at Fordham.  Part of our time in New York was spent walking around the outskirts of the shattered World Trade Center.   We could not get close, but had many glimpses of the ruins.  It was eerie, with few people about and the sounds of the on-going demolition alternately muffled and reflected by the empty remaining buildings.  

On the riverside, we turned the other way to look out over the Hudson.  Spying my ever-present camera, a man walking his bike asked if we would like a picture of the two of us.  We agreed, and he took a nice shot with Lady Liberty in the background.  As he handed the camera back, we could see that he was sobbing.  He turned quickly, mounted his bike and sped away.  

Though time decidedly does NOT heal all wounds, it can make them easier to bear.  The Great Lady is still there, and the new World Trade Tower is in place.  I hope time has also soothed his tears.

An attendant in a booth controls these street teeth to keep vehicles
from being used for further atrocities.

It would be interesting to see them chew a truck.

I like the fact there is a new World Trade Tower.

I'm sure there are more noble sentiments,
but its presence also seems to say,
"Screw you.  Knock our towers down, and we'll build a better one."

But at the mall next door, life goes on.

Back in the subway,
you see people of all kinds.

I'm not sure how these little bronze ones get around.
Does the New York Subway honor tokens any more?

These two don't seem terribly interested in unboxing their phones.

On our way home,
we were treated to a nice view of the Jenga building.

And finally, we stopped at the tiny City Reliquary,
where among other things, relics of the 1964 Worlds Fair were displayed.
I fit right in, since my parents took the family there in...hmmmm...1964!