We’ve all been missing the sounds of New York bustle. The streets of the city are eerily silent these days, as non-essential activities falter and we cross the road to avoid six feet of contact. If you need your fix of New York noise, from Coney Island to Times Square, check out this YouTube playlist of one-minute soundbites: Another New York Love Affair: Audio Meditations.
The bottom photo is a video still of “New York Love Affair #11 – Times Square Busker.” The top photo is the same shot of the street scene today, with the US Armed Forces Recruiting Station in the background.
The emptiness in Times Square is enough to make a person cry. Though many of my New York friends are starting to adjust to the empty streets and enjoy the spaciousness.
With “The Pause” ending soon as New York began Phase One of re-opening, we’d better take the opportunity to visit all the spots that are usually hopping busy, while we still have a chance! Personally, I can’t wait for the new improved al fresco dining experience that will be taking over the streets of New York.
I spent this New Year’s Eve with my friend Lew, and we began the evening with a cocktail at the Rock Center Cafe Bar, overlooking the ice rink from the north. (In my case, a refreshing peppermint martini–close cousin to the Rempeltini!) Then we dined at the Sea Grill, overlooking the ice rink from the south.
We had a lovely view of the statue of Prometheus, framed by the fountain backdrop, illuminated by lights that changed color periodically. The fountain was so beautiful it truly enhanced the splendor of the evening.
According to the bards at the Rock, “Prometheus is said to be the best-known sculpture in Rockefeller Center and the most photographed monumental sculpture in all of NYC. Created by famed American sculptor Paul Manship, who held a great fascination for mythological subjects and events, it has become the main attraction of the Lower Plaza. Its central theme is best stated by the quote that’s carved in the red granite wall behind him, taken from the sixth-century B.C. Greek dramatist Aeschylus: “Prometheus, Teacher in Every Art, Brought the Fire That Hath Proved to Mortals a Means to Mighty Ends.””
We had hoped to begin the evening with a cocktail at Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room, which had a holiday party beginning at 9:30. Tickets for this event on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center began at $450. Unfortunately, they didn’t allow anyone upstairs prior to the party, so the closest I got to the Rainbow Room is this coatcheck ticket!After our lovely dinner, we walked up Fifth Avenue, retracing my steps from a week ago in reverse. We saw the Bergdorf Goodman windows again, and walked along the park to 7th Avenue. I’d read online that the ball at Times Square would be visible all the way up 7th Avenue to the park, and indeed it was, albeit the size of a pea.
We stood under a shelter until 5 to midnight, then stepped out in the rain at the top of 7th Avenue, near Central Park, to watch the ball drop. Being that it was about the size of a pea from where we stood, once it started to fall we couldn’t see it. However, we could see the fireworks down in Times Square, and fireworks behind us in the park.
It was fun to be out in the rain with other people in a festive mood, and I am glad Lew was up for the adventure!
After our taxi dropped Lew off in Chelsea, I finished the night at Small’s in my West Village neighborhood, with a set of jazz and a glass of prosecco. I made it home by 2:15 a.m., and woke up feeling pretty good…
I hope you all had a wonderful evening, in whatever key you chose, and wish you the very best for 2019.
And just to start the year off on the right note, I want to share this article about the Top 99 Good News Stories of 2018. Thanks, Jill, for passing this on.
