Our NYC adventure

 So … on Sunday we headed Into Manhattan. Our objective was the New York public library main building. Drew is a donor and we got invited to the annual donor reception.

Ever hear the phrase “getting there is half the fun”?  It wasn’t.  We took the Long Island Railroad, and our train broke down as we were arriving in Jamaica Station. The dreaded “No passengers, this train is out of service.”  Jamaica is a hub, so we were able to catch another train fairly quickly.  Though I did feel bad for the two passengers who didn’t heed the announcement and wound up in the train yard instead of Grand Central Station.

Once we arrived in the city … our first stop was Rockefeller Center.

The tree, of course.

Prometheus has a new layer of gold this year.

St. Patrick’s

The Rockefeller Center angels 

There’s a small display by Hershey’s

We were too early to see the Saks light show 

But we did get a look at the windows 

Then we headed down 5th Avenue.  I saw at least four pedicab operators dressed as Santa 

At the library … Patience and Fortitude are wearing their wreaths.

The library was closed to the public so that the donor party could take place.  We got on line near one of the fountains.

Yes, there are a lot of pigeons!

We could see the West spoonful glee club but couldn’t really hear them.

Last year we were perfectly positioned to hear the choir. Oh, well.

Once we were inside …

We met the staff, and then …

Photo Booth 

Literary characters 

There was music, trivia contests, a puppet show for the children, refreshments…

And we also got a chance to see some of the incredible collections.

Cultural icons 

Religious artifacts 

The original Winnie the Pooh and friends

Dickens

 

A card catalog…yes, they still exist

More Dickens

Right now they’re celebrating a certain magazine

And yes, a real, functioning pay phone

Afterwards, we took a walk through the Winter Village in Bryant Park.  There’s a tree and an ice rink as well as shops and food vendors.

Then it was a subway ride down to Canal Street, where Chinatown meets Little Italy,

Our destination 

After dinner we took the subway uptown to Herald Square and Macy’s windows.

Then back to Penn Station and the Long Island Railroad…