Today we went straight to the Alexander McQueen exhibition Savage Beauty at The Met. It was the most amazing exhibition. This guy was a true visionary genius - yet he led such an intense and sad life. All his works are based on romanticism - involving life and death, nature, the sublime, and a dark seductive sexuality in the women he dresses. What I loved was the strange variation of materials and therefore textures through all his pieces - duck and pheasant feathers, moulded leather, resin, real flowers, pony hair... It was an amazing tribute and an extremely well presented exhibition, from the shoes to the accessories such as the extravagant head pieces, each outfit was incredibly powerful. We then came down to Midtown to go up Rockefeller, Top of the Rock. This is the best view of Manhattan - better than the Empire State as you can see the Empire State in your photos instead! (Thanks Ash). It was crazy looking over Central Park - this truly massive green rectangle amongst the business of Manhattan. By this time we were pretty HOT, the sun and humidity is unbearable on days like today. But we had to go on, next was Diller & Scofidio's Highline which spans from West Village to the top of Chelsea. This was very impressive and a beautiful walk a few metres above street level - the whole walk has a rich history as it used to be the main freight train line for Manhattan. Such a colourful combination of the old train tracks embedded in new concrete, surrounded by overgrown greenery and flanked by old brick buildings. There were also viewing points with seating which literally framed views down some of the streets. Went to China town for a cheap and yum dinner - if you're on a budget China town will give you the most bang for your buck.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Grand Central
View up Rockefeller
Highline
day 8 july 7
July 7 was rest day. We have been draining ourselves with activities! Were meant to go see SANAA's New Museum in Bowery this morn but instead slept in till 11.30... Mel and I went to Chelsea where we discovered another delightful Bagel eatery, this time Murray's Bagels. I highly recommend this (I think at some point there will be a highly recommended NYC eateries list here). I got a Traditional Bagel which was stuffed full of goodness (cream cheese, capers, lettuce, tomato, smoked salmon). It was chocablock and the guy spent a hilarious amount of time perfectly wrapping it.. So long so that he even said, "Now that's how you wrap a bagel". Chelsea is a beautiful area full of tree lined streets that quietly duck off the open main roads. We walked past many boutique galleries and also found the Commes des Garcons store and the Balenciaga store, both of which had amazing interiors (and clothing...), and also discovered the Chelsea Markets on the corner of 9th Ave and 15th Street. It was a cool little alley way of shops and food places, we found The Lobster Place and I tried a lobster roll - fresh and so meaty...nomnoms. We then went to see Wicked!!! Ohmygoodness it was the most amazing production ever. The voices and characters were stunning, and the stage set design was so big and extravagant and the whole musical was just so well executed. It was also a humorous and curious twist on the Wizard of Oz.
WICKED
day 9 july 8
Happy birthday ASH. First stop was the Guggenheim - there wasn't much interesting art to be quite honest, but the building! Good one, Frank. Then we went to Central Park - a smidgeon of it anyway. It was sweeeeltering hot, far too exhausting. By the time we reached the zoo in Central Park I wanted to jump in with the sea lions. The zoo was not veeeery impressive, but still fun. Went back to SoHO and found our dinner spot - Cafe Gitane - go there now! Best meal of the trip so far,and definitely the most interesting. It was Moroccan/ Mediterranean/ French cuisine, filled with buzzing young hipsters and the like. Yeah we're pretty local. Had an amazing cous cous filled with everything from potato, dried apricots, sultanas, with hummus, olive oil pesto and yummm handmade sausage. Went to bed feeling very satisfied :)
$10000 worth of $1 bills
Central Park
Central Park Zoo
Delicious
day 10 july 9
Mel and Pat brought me a delish lemon and poppy seed donut from the Fort Greene markets across the road from us. Went to Williamsburg - tried An Nhau Vietnamese rolls which came in a decent baguette and size. Went across to the island to drop off my shit at my new place with Neha! Sure is different to Flora's apartment... Bag = incredibly overweight. Then went to SANAA's new museum in Bowery - stacked mesh boxes. Unfortunately most of the floors were closed today :( but we still got to see amazing white interior/ exposed ceilings and level 7 which had a fantastic panoramic view over Manhattan. Strolled the streets of Soho/ Noho/ Nolita and by chance (unlike other food findings) came across what looked like an old hollowed out garage or something on the street. But it was filled with this awesome interior foodcourt type dining space which consisted of different taco stands, and a ticketing system at the counter. Such a funky experience man - it is called Tacombi if you look it up. And now Neha and Darshna are here!
SANAA New Museum
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