New York Seen Through My Eyes- Part 1

                      The Central Park New York City

The Central park boasts several lakes, theaters, ice rinks, fountains, tennis courts, baseball fields, many playgrounds and other facilities. It is also home to the Central Park Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Especially during the weekends, when cars are not allowed into the park, Central Park is a welcome oasis in this hectic city.

Central Park is one of those places that make New York such a great place to live. The huge park, 843 acres large, is located in the center of Manhattan. Its design is an example for city parks around the world.

Central Park is situated in Manhattan between 59th and 110th street and between Fifth and Eight Ave.

Being a Saturday, the park had lots of Aerobics classes going  on, I wanted to take one picture near one of the classes, but a passerby came along and and offered to take a picture of us together: looks like we both needed some Aerobics class!
I love outdoor Aerobics class.

The crown jewel of Central Park, is one of the most famous and universally loved fountains in the world : The  Bethesda Fountain.

Emma Stebbins ( the Sculptor): the center piece of the "Angel of the waters" was the only sculpture commissioned as a part of the original design of the Park naming her the first woman to receive commission of a major work of art in New York City.

The idea of the "Angel Of Waters" comes from the gospel of Saint John, Chapter 5, the story of an angel bestowing healing powers on the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. Beneath the 8 foot gilded bronze statue are 4 smaller 4 foot figures symbolising Temperance, Purity, Health and Peace. The base of the fountain was designed by Calvert Vaux with detail work by Jacob Wrey Mould. Sculpted in 1868 and unveiled in 1873.

The Plaza, a timeless landmarked New York Hotel.
Central Park 5th Avenue, endless shopping- this is New York City!!!

The Rockefeller Building

From the top of the Rock

The Rockefeller Building:

Rockefeller Center - known as a 'city in the city' - is an exceptional example of civic planning. All buildings share a common design style, Art Deco, and are connected to each other via an underground concourse, the Catacombs. The complex is nevertheless well integrated in the city of New York, especially along Fifth Avenue. 

There are in total three levels open to the public, including the roof terrace. The first is on the 67th floor and is completely covered. 

The observation deck on the 69th floor has glass windshields while the 70th floor is completely open to the elements, offering visitors a fabulous 360 degree view. 

 View from the top of the Rock

The famous Radio City Music Hall : One of the greatest Art Deco structures ever built, is one of the most well known landmark of New York City. Opened on December 27th 1932, with a variety show it screened the first film with Barbara Stanwyck in " The Bitter Tea Of General Yen" on January 11th 1933.

The Flatrion Building that you can see behind me, was completed in 1902, and was the first building New York with a steel frame. It also has the honour of the only surviving skyscraper in New York City.
This was our 2nd day in New York , we had taken a local tour of the city, for there were some places for which we felt it was better if we went through the local tour bus. Our tour guide was very good, funny and very knowledgeable. But, the AC in our bus was not up to the mark and although it was on and making lot of noise it didn't serve  the purpose of keeping us cool. In fact I had read in the internet that this particular tour bus was not very reliable as far as the AC was concerned, but then one has to bear such things as part of life which seems to be the same as in India, but only difference is we don't make a big fuss about it. But otherwise as I told earlier the tour was pretty good.

The Empire State Building 5th Avenue

The Empire State Building:

Built during the Great Depression, the Empire State Building symbolizes America's limitless potential. Built in just 18 months, it was the world's tallest building from 1931-1972.

The shape of the Empire State Building was inspired by its developer, John Jakob Raskob, who is said to have pulled a pencil from his drawer, held it up to his architect (William Lamb), and asked, " Bill how tall can you make it so that it won't fall down?"

The top of the building is lit up at night in different colors to celebrate various holidays. For a long time, after September 11,2001, it was continuously lit, red, white and blue. After the 09.11.2001, it regained its title as the tallest building in New York. This again will be surpassed by one World Trade Center in 20013.

Source (Skyscraper Source Media Inc.)

The Empire State Building is a legend and remains a testament to the American fortitude and ingenuity.

Ananth captured this beautiful building: The Empire State Building in our camera.

Behind me you can see the Trump Tower: so many times I  have seen people being fired by Donald Trump and walking out of this building to the waiting Yellow cab in his famous show " Apprentice"

Some fun pictures on the streets of NY
Since our Hotel was centerally located, we just walked and walked and saw  all the places of interest. It was so much fun, not realizing how the time went by, and because it was bright for a very long time. If my husband was not there to remind me of the time, I would still be roaming the streets of New York...
More to come about this lively city in the next blog.