ISLAND BOUND 2007-2008!!
The arrival in to New York City was quite monumental in a few ways. We have sailed now 1400 miles thru warm, wet, cold and wind of all degrees. The Hudson River was cold for us but we managed to complete this as we did the Erie Canal. We sailed by West Point the Military Academy. This was very interesting to see with its large brick buildings and enormous size. It was a city within a city almost. We encountered a few helicopters circling the institution I’m sure it was some security issue. We spent one night in the boat before going to Manhattan. I a slip would cost a great deal in New York City. We stayed across from Yonkers New York and watched the sky line from about 15 miles out of New York City itself. It was very pretty at night with the city lit up and all. The next day we motored down to The New York City Marina operated by the parks division. The cost was what I expected 75 dollars a night. That did not even include electric for the night. I paid for one night and the next two nights I placed the boat on a mooring hook in the bay which only cost me 30 dollars per night. This was a little better but still after having so many free stays on our trip due to the time of year. Most of the marina’s being closed this late in the season it was hard to pay this amount only to secure the boat with no amenities attached to it.
We are going to stay with some friends here in the city; Jessica, a girl who was a model in New York and did a lot of modeling in Thailand. She has started a company here in New York and is a true sweetheart to say the least. Her boyfriend Brian is a great guy and we have really enjoyed their company and expertise of the city. Brian is in law school and very committed by the amount of studying he does daily. Jessica has really helped us in our travels around the city and with some transportation issues which are so crucial here in the city. Brian and Jess live in Manhattan yes I said Manhattan. It’s a small apartment but very clean, quaint and located perfectly in Manhattan which is conducive to getting around the city.
Now let’s talk about my experience with the Big Apple, New York City. Words are hard to find to describe New York City. Overwhelming is one but not nearly enough to put a finger on it. I walked around the city Saturday morning alone to get a handle on it. You see Saturday morning is quiet at least moderately compared to the everyday work week busy. The thing with New York is its so hard to get somewhere in a hurry. It takes so long to get from one spot to another by bus or subway. Cabs are much quicker but of course they are expensive. I had a hard time with the homeless people I seen. It just was sad to see them in rags and curled up on the sidewalk trying to keep warm in the cold weather. I just wanted to know at what point they got to this juncture in their life. Where was their turning point from a normal life to this? I guess it comes from my small town way of seeing people and how small town people help one another. I couldn’t help myself it bothered me to see them the way they were. They would be sitting there eating some kind of food from a container and looking cold lost and so alone, they just seemed so alone in a city of 12 million. Every one in New York seems so alone. Many New Yorkers have dogs it is very common. I think they need them in some way to feel they are not alone, we were told that a lot of the homeless refuse help; they will not accept being taken to shelters. I guess from their way of looking at things I wouldn’t want help either. People in the city are so glazed over in their blank stares as they walk from place to place. They don’t look at you and if you ask them a question or say hi they look away wanting not to be approached. It’s so impersonal here you are in a field of people yet all are non responsive to a glance or smile. The massive amounts of different races and religions are colorful and so full of life yet everyone is afraid to say hello to one another. It’s a strange concept for me. The police officers are very friendly and helpful. They really are first class in the way they keep the city safe and under control. We had two officers help us on the right bus and even paid for it for us because I didn’t have the right card to pay. The cost of things in Manhattan is taking the average price of some thing and doubling it and you have Manhattan prices. Louis Vitton, Armani, Niemen Marcus, Macy’s, Lords an Taylor, and a hundred more designer clothing, shoes and such just lining the streets and billboards of 5th avenue and Times Square all very expensive but very elegant. Anything one would want is in New York. I’ve seen no name art that was 45 thousand dollars and suits that cost 5 thousand dollars. Shoes I never heard of for 800 dollars sometimes 2 thousand dollars, they all fill the many of stores and windows. As I walked into Macy’s it was uncomfortably to be wearing a 40 dollar pair of Levis jeans and a 20 dollar sweater, but I still had to at least set foot in this store of such distinction and class.
This city is truly beautiful and so untouchable in many ways. Everyone should see New York City some time in their life just to make you appreciate were it is you come from. The time I spent alone, to myself in New York was very much a deep felt experience. The coffee shops and their delicious rolls and muffins were a gourmets dream all the way. The City comes alive as the morning comes to an afternoon; with the wind rushing down the streets carrying with it the papers from yesterday and left over tickets to clubs and theaters. I found myself actually enjoying and feeling in some strange way comfortable in this large hectic mass of people and commerce. Times Square!! The lights and rush of Times Square is without a doubt some thing to behold. The massive TV screens on the sides of buildings line the street with ads and promotions of everything from television shows to products I never heard of. The Tonight show with David Lettermen and Oprah Whinfrey Show is in Times Square. This was interesting to at least be here in front of the studio. The shows weren’t taping due to the strike that was going on with the production crew and stage hands.
As I walked down 5th avenue starting my back to the apartment we were staying at, I was listening to my MP3 player. I looked up and seen the Radio City Music Hall down the street. Just then the next song started on my Ipod and would you believe it was old blue eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. A wave of goose bumps came over me as he started to sing I did it my way, it kind of made think about my trip with my sailboat thus far. I’m doing it my way now aren’t I?? Talk to you all soon SKIPPER OUT!!
