The sun was back with us and a pleasant day was on the cards. Mardi is still feeling unwell, so decided to take it easy most of the day.
I had a lazy morning before heading out to the Summit for the afternoon. The Summit is a new observation deck located adjacent to Grand Central Terminal. It’s located at number one Vanderbilt Avenue.
It’s a partly cloudy day when I hit the streets for the ten minute walk. I locate the entrance pretty easily. The massive sign helps.
There is a bit of faffing about with all attractions like this. Security check, ticket check, queuing, the obligatory photo and something new this time, shoe covers.
I make my way down a number of snaking queues of people before finally entering the elevator.
The lift door open some 1,100 feet up; 336 metres and 93 stories high. It feels as if I’m towering over the Empire State Building and pretty much every skyscraper near by.
We walk through another tunnel before entering the first of four observation levels. It’s hard to tell which way is up though. The entire inside of the building is either mirrored or windows to the manhattan skyline all around us.
I walk cautiously not knowing what is real and what is a reflection. People and bags are strewn all over the floor.
There is a hum coming from all around us. Almost like the building is breathing. It comes in waves and varying frequencies. Sometimes barely noticeable. Others it’s very obvious. It combines with the din of the crowd and shuffling noises made by the shoe covers we are all wearing.
I take in the view. I’m in no hurry. It’s just gone 2.30 and sunset is 4.30. So I have some time. I find a corner and like others sit down and stare out the window. I take some photos. But mostly I just sit and absorb the view, both in front of of me and behind me. I’m currently looking south. The majestic Empire State Building is in the foreground. I’m on 42nd and it lives on 34th so I feel like I can almost touch it. In the distance the financial district sprawls creating that familiar skyline. One World Trade Center towers over everything else. To the right the busy Hudson River buzzes with water based traffic. Barges, pleasure crafts, ferries and taxis zoom from side to side.
I get up and walk to the East River side. Right in front of me like a shiny hood ornament is the Chrysler building. I’m looking down on this piece of classic architecture. Art Deco. Over sized hood ornaments protrude from its four corners at three different levels.
I then move to the east side. I can see 5th Avenue. The stand out is Bryant park with its large white ice skating rink. I track along 5th and locate 44th. Using high powered zoom on my camera I track down 44th and find our hotel. Large letters adorn the side: AKA.
My Canon camera has up to 40 times zoom so it’s great for looking around.
To the north is Central Park. It’s mostly obscured from this far down town. The Rockefeller Centre plus a number of high rises have been built in the streets between 50th and 57th. You really need to be on 57th now to get a good view of the park these days.
I leave the first observation area and walk around the perimeter of the building. I enter a room filled with silver inflated balls. They bounce around and the kids in the room scream with joy as balls bounce haphazardly atound them and other people in the room.
I continue walking around and see the levitation area. Three extended glass boxes where you can have a photo taken. I by pass this. There’s an hour wait for a photo.
I then ascend one level and arrive at the cafe. I enjoy a cocktail and snack and venture outside.
It’s freezing and the wind is howling. I quickly return inside.
I retrace my steps, something I learnt later isn’t allowed. But anyway sometimes being blind is a good excuse. I look for a good vantage point to get some sunset photos. People are already lining the south facing lookouts. I wander around and eventually find a spot that isn’t too crowded and offers a good view southwards.
As we wait for sunset the crowd thickens behind me. There’s a bit of jostling as people clamber for the best vantage point.
As the sun begins to set cameras click away. I grab a few nice shots and then vacate my area to let others get a good shot.
I then try to find the exit. I cross a barricade and am stopped. Isn’t this the way out, I ask. Yes. But only from up there, he replies pointing to the escalators I came down a little while ago and walked the wrong way out. I’m sorry I say, I’m vision impaired I didn’t see it. He’s cool and let me through, and I catch the lift downstairs and through the obligatory gift shop.
I hit the street as day turns to night and the lights of the city begin to take over. I walk the ten minutes home.
Later that night Mardi and I enjoy dumplings at the Dim Sim Palace before seeing the musical Six. Six is about the six wives of Henry the VIII. They tell the story through songs from each of their perspectives. It’s entertaining and upbeat and gives a perspective we don’t often think about.
A few words on accessibility. Again tonight the show was audio described. Every show on Broadway is audio described. Just think about that for a minute. There are dozens of shows and hundreds of performances. The service is fantastic. The device doubles as a hearing impaired screen with captions. The description is clear and does not interfere with the enjoyment of the show, in fact the reverse is true. It’s made me do much more aware of what was happening on stage. We just don’t have this type of service in Australia.
After the show we walk home, the cold has really set in with sub zero temperature forecast for the next couple of days, albeit with a lot of sun.
