Day 8 of 350 - See what a difference a week makes!

Already, in just a week, I’ve learned a lot about New York and to my surprise have been able to give a few travelers some great tips and even…directions!  What a difference a WEEK makes.  Who do you know that’s thinking of visiting or moving to New York?  Why not tell them about the blog.  We can get to know New York City together.
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Last night I barely slept - my mind was a buzz with the people I’ve met in the past 7 days, the sounds of the city through my window and the endless adventures tomorrow could bring.  I think I finally fell asleep around 6am-ish.  I had set an alarm for 7:30…ugh.  It will be worth it.  I’ve got plans after 4pm so daylight’s a burn’n.  Today I’m planning to see the Sony Wonder Lab and walk through part of Central Park.
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Sarah Jessica Parker has a great quote about New York.  “They say life`s what happens when you`re busy making other plans. But sometimes in New York, life is what happens when you`re waiting for a table.” Well today life is what happened waiting for a train!  Weekend construction on just one subway line can be confusing.  I could have walked to Sony in about an hour - it was a gorgeous day - but instead I decided to forgo my morning exercise and save some time.  But with cancellations, re-routes and delays the train took an hour and a half :-0  Funny stuff…really.  So I promised myself I would ignore all distractions, walk straight to Sony and make up lost time somewhere between there and Central Park.
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Bull!!
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There’s a bull.  And a giant frog about to eat a bee!
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Walking down 56th St. toward Madison, I was only 2 blocks away from my goal when it happened.  Beaten off my path I veered left to a breezeway turned mini gallery that housed 4 large bronzed sculptures from Marlborough Gallery.  I stopped at each to study their unique style.  The Frog and the Bee were my favorite but calling me all the way to the other end was the Bull carrying a Maiden.  Each had a small plaque  fasten low on the wall behind it.  When I bent over to read the plaque behind the Bull I suddenly realized my position (a little like the the character Vance Munsen in the movie “Hitch” as he bent over behind the Wall Street Bull :-) and got myself out from behind.  LOL
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When I “emerged” I found myself on 57th between the 40 building and Nobu.  Just a few more steps ahead I couldn’t help but stop in front of the exclusive gallery for Ana Tzarev.  I was taken immediately with the beautiful works of art in the window.  OK.  Give up.  Go in.
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I had never heard of her before today.  When I read her quote written on the reception wall I immediately wanted to know more…see more.
“I have visited many wondrous places in the world but it is the people I remember, their kindness and joy in sharing the history of the land and the story of their lives.” - Ana Tzarev
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I spent over an hour wandering through the gallery.  Her work is brilliant with texture and vibrant color.  The images as well as the spiritual vibes of her subject seem to pop off the canvas and fill the room.  From a distance some of the portraits seemed to beam with light and bring the subjects to life.  Justin, the very handsome and knowledgeable gallery manager shared with me that many of her original paintings on display would sell for $100,000 to $1,000,000.  Wow!  I’m glad I stopped in.  Yes please…put me on your mailing list for special events.
I thought about including a picture of her work here but it just wouldn’t do it justice.  You’ve just got to stop in and see it to appreciate her work fully.
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I finally arrived at Sony just before noon and lucked out with tickets (which are FREE by the way) for the next tour at noon.  Yay!  It was a fun exhibit with lots of high tech gadgets to play with for kids of all ages.  I actually did heart surgery while I was there (ok it was “simulated”).  That was pretty cool.  There was video editing demonstrations, a hands-on television studio lab and plenty of other high tech fun that’s just hard to describe.  I liked the mini-museum too.  The had pictures and artifacts of technology history lining the walk ways.  Did you know the first car phone was invented in 1910!  All you had to do was pull your car up to a telephone pole and plug in the cable - giggle.  It was also interesting to read about some of the future technologies that their working on like batteries that run on …. sugar!  I guess sugar really is the new oil.
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After Sony it was getting a little too late to go to Central Park and do it justice so I decided to do it another day.  On the way back to the subway I walked right past Trump Tower.  Sounds good.  Let’s look inside.  I’ve heard so much about it.  May be I’ll spot the Donald - LOL  There’s a nice marble entrance and a waterfall coming from the 3rd level up.  That’s nice.  The Trump bar offers a “special” with a draft, some chips and salsa and a burger for $20.09.  I wonder if an apprentice came up with that?  Some of the tourist seem to be buying into it.  Starbucks had a nice view of the foyer from the balcony…I was bored and ready to get back to my view of the much more interesting NY sidewalks.
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I also popped into a few nearby hotels just to take a look.  The Waldorf, the Peninsula and the W.  All very nice and worth a peak while I was in the neighborhood.  In the first two, the old architecture, bountiful flowers and sophisticated decor easily had me imagining the elegant visitors and events here in years gone by.  The W was a great example of new New York contemporary style.
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On the way home, the subway station back at 34th and 6th had a completely different appeal.  Street performers can often be found here and today didn’t disappoint.

3 guys danced, tumbled, twirled and rapped to the delight of dozens of commuters.  One of them jumped so high I was trying to see where the springs were hiding!  The performance is of course FREE but they definitely deserved some cash in the hat.  Thanks guys.