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Weekend of Decadence Story and photos by Donna Yuen |
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No plans for the weekend? How about an impromptu weekend in New York?
My first evening was dinner in a brewery type restaurant, near Union Square, where the selection of restaurants was endless. At dawn, we began our first sightseeing day with a hearty breakfast in a small diner. Then the walking began. First through Greenwich Village and the Soho area, then through the contrasting Chinatown district, followed by a stroll along Park and Madison Avenues. The window dressings are truly lavish, as are the prices; $2,900 for a bathroom sink! But even if you can't afford to buy anything, you can't help but appreciate the artistic effort put into every display. We continued our walk to Central Park, where we leisurely basked in the sun, as the horse drawn carriages slowly rolled by along the street. As the temperatures began to cool, we took the subway over to Brooklyn Heights to capture the breathtaking views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. When I naively asked how we get back to Manhattan, he replied, "Why we walk of course." And walk we did; right across the Brooklyn Bridge!
Instead of attending a Broadway show, I chose to take in some live music. Musically, New York can cater to any taste, from Jazz to Rock and Classical. After visiting a few venues, we settled into a quiet bar for a drink. However, the place happened to be a 1950's beauty parlor turned bar. The décor appeared to be just as a beauty parlor should, with a full bank of old style hair dryers. The only difference was the clientele, instead of elderly women with roller sets, the bar was filled with a hip, University crowd. We began the next day with a visit to Radio City Music Hall and Times Square, then to Wall Street and the financial district, pausing only to buy a New York hot dog from a street vendor. From the financial district Battery Park is only a short walk away, where we boarded a ferry for our visit to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It is a magnificent structure, but more for what it represents than for its inherent beauty. On our way back downtown, my friend points out the Empire State Building in the distant skyline, "We'll save that for when you return". Yes, I think to myself, I will definitely be returning to New York City. Within hours, I am on a plane heading back to the West Coast. As I returned to work the next morning, a colleague greeted me asking if I had a nice weekend. I thought, how do I explain the incredible weekend I had just experienced in New York. Instead, I just nodded and replied, "Yes, it was a great one." About
the Photos: |
After
receiving numerous invitations to visit, I took advantage of a long
weekend and a last minute seat sale, and soon I found myself in the
Big Apple. New York is renowned for many things; the sights, the glamour,
the danger and the exorbitant prices. The first thing I encountered
was the exorbitant prices. A cab from JFK Airport to downtown Manhattan
costs about US$40 with a tip. Fortunately, I arrived to discover that
my friend lives in downtown Manhattan, where most things are within
walking distance. 
We
reached the boardwalk as the sun was beginning to set. At the highest
point of the bridge, a stiff wind slapped my face and rifled through
my hair, I paused to absorb the magnificent sight before me. The sun
had changed to a soft pink and orange glow as it settled quietly behind
the skyline. I smiled, thankful for having had the opportunity to have
claimed this moment, an unforgettable memory of the Manhattan skyline
at sunset from atop the Brooklyn Bridge.