Lower Manhattan & Captivating Chelsea

First stop Battery Park City, the result of thoughtful urban planning, sits on 92 acres of manmade land in the Hudson River. One of the most beautiful walks in New York City (BG,p.59).


The World Trade Center was a complex of 7 buildings centered around a 5-acre plaza. Most famous for the Twin Towers, two boxy 110 story office buildings designed by Minoru Yamasaki. All 7 buildings were destroyed  on September 11, 2001 (BG,p.62)


The WTC , the site of 911 memories. As I stand there I think of the many people some I know others I just read their names and think back to the emotions of that day.  The first thing that people ask is "where were you on that day?" ....because no one will ever forget ....now rising from the ashes is the Freedom Tower www.renewnyc.com/plan_des_dev/.../freedom_tower/default.asp .


Sleek, elegant, dynamic showing to the world that we are strong and will rise again.

Irish Hunger Museum a memorial devoted as a reminder of the Irish Potato famine and migration.
At the foot of Vesey St., on a half-acre platform. The centerpiece is a ruined stone cottage donated by artist Brian Tolle's extended family. It was brought from Ireland, reconstructed stone by stone and surrounded with Irish grasses, heather, wild flowers, and stones bearing the name's of Ireland's counties (BG,p.63).


Poet's House a literary house and poet archive. The house invites the public into the living tradition of poetry.

Finally breaking for lunch at the Chelsea Market where I had delicious sushi.....gathering up enough energy we walk the High line an overpass once used for transporting meat from the Midwest into the Meatpacking district.  


The High Line, a 13-mile viaduct for freight trains, was constructed in the 1930's to solve problems of traffic. It was built over the avenue but mid block and through buildings or right between them. The last train journeyed to Gansevoort St in 1980. Because no one wanted to pay the demolition costs, the High line was left to rust.  In the late 1990's a local advocacy group defeated proposals for demolition, and as of now the park is being constructed over the 1.6 miles between West 16th & West 30 St (BG.,p 188).

Chelsea home to hundreds of art galleries ... of course we to had to participate in the stroll from gallery to gallery .....some exhibits were pornographic in nature, others completely out of control and yet some you would not even know it was present... yet it was an artist way of expressing themselves. It was actually kind of entertaining....you walked into a gallery if you were interested you stayed if not you continued on to the next. Of course allowing for time for a break at a near by cafe to refuel .....

Finally after much hype we went to see a documentary on Marina Abromovic an artist that uses her body as art and takes it to the limits.....she is most famously known fro her exhibit in MOMA called The Artist is Present .
A must go see film !