Last Tuesday was my 69th birthday, so what better way to celebrate than to spend it in New York City, one of my favorite places in the world. I hadn’t been to New York since before the pandemic, which was rather stunning to realize as I planned our overnight jaunt. So, we made the most of it.
On Monday afternoon, we left our car in New Haven and took the train (seniors get a 50 percent discount—a definite advantage of aging) to Grand Central, then walked to our hotel, called (how could I resist?) The Evelyn, just north of Madison Square Park in so-called NoMad. Not only was the hotel’s name appealing, but also the decor—Art Deco and themed to nearby Tin Pan Alley, the birthplace of popular American music at the turn of the 20th century. The row of buildings on West 28th Street where songs like Give My Regards to Broadway by George M. Cohan and Take Me Out to the Ball Game by Albert Von Tilzer were composed and published have been preserved, although, true to New York’s evolving neighborhoods, they now house a group of wholesale hat and scarf importers.
On Monday night, we had dinner in the East Village at Caravan of Dreams, which serves creative and delicious vegan organic dishes, quite a treat. After a restful sleep, we spent much of Tuesday at the Museum of Modern Art. There is currently a fantastic, curated retrospective of the museum’s collection, including works by German expressionists and some Bauhaus pieces that I wanted to see. But there is always so much to savor at MoMA, and it was great to be back.
We had lunch at the museum’s Terrace Cafe, and when I ordered a slice of chocolate cake with raspberry sauce (one of my favorite flavor combinations) to split with Al, he informed our waiter that it was my birthday. Soon the waiter returned with the cake and a candle and a song, and when he finished, the whole place applauded. I felt very celebrated and grateful. And the delicious cake was on the house.
All in all, a wonderful way to mark #69. Here are some photos of favorites. Enjoy.
Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.
Happy Birthday! Wishing you peace and blessings.
Thanks, Connie!
What a wonderful birthday treat! I am so envious. NYC has always been my “heart” home, where my son was born and where we lived for some time. Even when we eventually moved to New Haven for my husband’s career, I continued to work in the City and made the daily 5+ hour round trip commute from New Haven to Grand Central. I’m now retired and living in Durham,NC
My son, an artist and theater lighting designer, & his family live in Brooklyn and my son now works at MOMA on special exhibit installations – including this one.
Scleroderma has decided that it likes residing in my spine and has made its home there. After two surgeries (both now labeled “failed back surgery” , I am not able to walk more than a few feet without my cane and NYC is definitely NOT easy to navigate when disabled. The last time I was actually able to visit NYC was in May 2018 so —- Thank You for allowing me to “see” this exhibit.
And Happy Belated Birthday!!
Thanks, Patricia! I’m glad you enjoyed the view. So sorry to hear how scleroderma has lodged in your spine. We each have such unique stories with this disease. Agreed that NYC is not an easy city to navigate with a disability. But I do hope, some fine day soon, that you’re able to figure out a way to get back to the Big Apple, visit with your son, and get the mobility support you need to make it happen with the least pain and most energy possible! And please thank your son for his wonderful work at MoMA . . . much appreciated. Be well.