Holy Hurricane!

Finally Hurricane Irene has continued on her slow moving path and left minimal destruction in the New York City area. Other regions weren't as lucky, such as Atlantic Beach, NC and the New Jersey shore line.   I initially thought the area I lived in the City had a mandatory evacuation, but later discovered it was the end of my block that had to evacuate. I'm still trying to figure this out since I live on the East River, but zones were based on elevation, and I suppose I must be at a much higher elevation than my neighbors. None the less, to my mom's objections, I stayed put and decided to battle out the storm...Southern style. I loaded up on water, sweet tea, books and a yummy meal of creamy chicken, biscuits and wine...clearly, I was prepared!












My chances worked out in my favor because I woke this morning (apparently having slept through the eye of the hurricane) breathing and with electricity...I survived! People are out surveying the damage today so I  took a stroll myself to Carl Shurz Park on the Upper East Side, a favorite spot for many residents on the UES. It sits along the East River, and I was quite shocked to see the amount of damage done to the park. While only half a block from my apartment, the effects of Irene were seemingly undetected until I reached the park. Others must have had the same idea because the park was swarmed with people taking pictures of the damage-- and a few getting in their Sunday run.

Trees are down in many parts of the park and yellow caution tape is strewn throughout the park marking off areas with limbs on the verge of falling or trees already split in half. Mud, water and debris cake many of the sidewalks winding through the park, and trash is scattered everywhere. I even discovered a birthday balloon stuck in one of the tress (Happy Birthday to you!).

The most shocking discovery in the park is one of my favorite alcoves sitting below sea level. It is a secluded area normally filled with people on benches, and a central water fountain. Nearly the entire alcove is submerged by river water, making only the top of the fountain and benches visible. There was one dog having a field day playing fetch in the water, and became the one happy light of onlookers (I just hope they give him a bath in bleach and tetanus shot when they take him home).

The damage is certainly not in the streets, but along the water, in areas filled with tress. While the UES is known for its tree-lined streets and parks, so is the Financial District and its areas along the Hudson River, which are said to have been effected most on the Island. While we likely got the least of Irene, I can only imagine at this point what Lower Manhattan looks like.

Overall, I feel like officials in the city did a great job preparing people for the storm and evacuating high-risk areas. Many people are upset today with the decisions that were made, saying authorities over-reacted. But, it's always better to be safe than sorry. 

 

 I've now experienced two firsts this week-- an earthquake (18 stories high, mind you) and now a hurricane. Ok people, I'm checking out! Enough Mother Nature for now.

God Bless Saks, Jesus and Pizza

This weekend I tried to take advantage of the break from the rainy weather and spend as much time outdoors as possible. Saturday marked the last weekend the City celebrated Summer Streets, which happens for three weekends during August. Each Saturday officials close Park Avenue from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, setting up a series of "rest stops" where they have food vendors, kid-friendly activities and free bike repairs. I leaned about the event from coworkers who suggested I go. Of course when I think of a street festival I think of food AND retail vendors. I arrived to 68th and Park, dressed in my cute sundress, ballerina flats and iced White Chocolate Mocha in hand only to discover that the event isn't for the weekend stroller, but rather a mad house of runners and bicylists taking advantage of the few hours they don't fear for their lives thanks to the lunatics we call taxi drivers.

I walked along Park Avenue for about half a mile (I mean hey, I was there so why not take advantage of a closed street), and quickly decided I looked like a moron next to the exercise fanatics. On top of that, I started to feel very sad seeing the bicyclists and remembering my adventures on my beach cruiser back in Charleston. Well I suppose there was no better way for me to cure the lonely heart, but to suppress it with a little retail therapy. I got on my Blackberry and searched shopping destinations on Foursquare (which if you haven't uploaded the new version, do it. Immediately!) and what would you know...Saks Fifth Avenue was just around the corner!

While I may have been overdressed for Summer Streets, I'm sure I looked like a hobo in Saks. I walked around the ground floor for probably 20 minutes trying to figure out where all the clothes and shoes were. Thankfully I discovered a directory that informed me there were seven floors of shopping....Lord, save me! I took a deep breath and decided to only choose one floor (shoes and handbags) so it appeared I was there for something in particular and not some tourist going as part of a destination location with no intent to puchase. The feeling I got walking around must be similar to Andy in Devil Wears Prada, ovewhelmed and drooling at the masterpieces in Vogue's clothing department. I've been wanting to get a new bag, and they have lots of smaller bags that I'm sure I could afford...$2,000 for a clutch? Just kidding! Instead I settle on a pair of light brown Tory Burch ballerina flats, because afterall I've been thinking about it for awhile, excluding them from the "impulse buy" category.

I topped off my day with a late lunch at Rockefeller Center and last minute sale at Anthropologie. I was extremely successful at this store, and I reaffirmed why I believe you should NEVER pay full price for something (except my Tory Burch flats, that is) because I got an amazing summer dress for $20 marked down from $188...insane!

As I'm walking back to the subway, and dreading the sauna that awaits me, I walk past an enormous cathedral. Hmm, there were a lot of people in front and crosses at the top of the steeples...it must be Catholic. I look closer at the sign, and discover it is St. Patrick's Cathedral. I've literally been scoring left and right because this was on my list of places to see! Winning! Although I felt sacreligious with my shopping bags, I went inside and realized why this is rated with five stars in my tour of NYC book. The cathedral began construction in 1858 and was modeled in a Neo-Gothic style. After a brief halt in construction during the Civil War, the Cathedral opened its doors in 1882. Each side of the Cathedral is lined with chapels dedicated to saints and each housing offertory candles. I sat in a pew taking in the grandeur of everything all while watching a wedding take place at the main alter (I am later told the bride and groom must be politicians' children). I recommend Saint Jude's Chapel located on the left side of the Cathedral and the prayer card table at the back right of the Cathedral.

I wrapped up my weekend with a Sunday gathering for my amazing co-worker's 33rd birthday. She hosted it at Adrianne's Pizzabar in the heart of the Financial District (literally, blocks off from Wall Street). Adrianne's can be found on Stone Street, a hidden teasure in this concrete jungle. The street is lined with fabulous restaurants and pubs and is closed to vehicles. Guests can sit at tables on the cobblestone street, and it is perfect for hosting large groups. It was such a treat to meet a lot of new faces in the city and to see a gem I would have likely ovelooked.

This weekend is certainly one for the books, finding sweet surprises around every corner...literally. God bless Saks, Jesus and pizza.

The Met: Part 2

Somehow we are back to another weekend, so I will continue my journey where I ventured through several centuries in the African, South American and Native American exhibits.

The Ethiopian exhibit featured dozens of masks and costumes worn during ritual ceremonies. Several masks struck me with their direct connection of historical events happening during the time of their creation. These masks, referred to as "white-faced masks," portrayed light-skinned males. During the time these were made (19th century), Europe was having a field day on these native lands colonizing each region and introducing Christian missionaries into the region. While many of the items found in these exhibits resembled African gods and goddesses, there was a significant number of items also featuring Christian images. Bibles, necklaces and tapestries all were designed with scenes from scripture of Christ hanging from the cross.

Regardless of religious beliefs, Africans during these periods had a strong sense of what marriage was and how sexuality played a part in that union. I stood by listening to a tour guide (I know, I took a brief, free tutorial) describe the significance of one statue in particular. She said the statue represents a married couple because of the arm placed around the shoulder of the female. The placement of the male's hand signifies that his wife is with child, and the enlarged belly-buttons of the couple represent a connection between the two coming from the core of their bodies. African culture believes all unions come from the center of the body where the most vital organs are located. There were many of these types of sculptures throughout the exhibits, and while I thought they might be a bit R-rated, it was amazing to me how scholars on the subject can put such meaning into a piece based solely on a few depicted features of the body.

It's not uncommon today to see people with enormous holes in their ears from stretching the earlobe by gauged earrings. This trend is one that began far sooner than most would know, and it was shown in the Colombian collection dating back to the 16th century. The jewelry was astonishing in its size and weight. Ear gauges, or as they were referred to, "ear rods," nose pendents and even necklaces weighed several pounds, and if seen being worn, I can only imagine would cover half the face. The South Americans utilized all resources found in that region of the world, from gold and silver, to bronze and wood.

As astonishing in size as the South American jewelry were the Native American totem poles. These poles adorned meeting houses to ward evils from places of sacred value. The tribes owning these poles can be identified by the spirits personified on each pole. The detail of the wood is one that any carpenter would give a leg to have the skill to copy.


I feel that my adventures to The Met are not over, but this is a taste of what you may expect to find. Let the adventures continue...