It’s
time to just come out and say it: I'm so good of a hostess (a skill I picked up
after years of observing my mother in action) I sometimes wish I could have the
opportunity of being a guest in my home.
What’s the best part about hosting out-of-town guests you haven’t seen in awhile? The extensive catching up in person stuff? Not really. The biggest bonus is having an excuse to venture into touristy territories you don’t normally have the time, energy, or poor judgment for.
At certain times and in certain places, people have asked me
what they should see or do if they have one day in New York. I used to be like,
“I don’t know, it all depends on what you’re into. Maybe Times Square and
Central Park? Try roaming the streets, and taking it all in.” Now I’ll tell them to
take the A or C train into Brooklyn, get off at High Street and stroll into
Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge, before walking over to the 9/11 Museum
and Memorial. Such a rewarding way to spend an afternoon.
A little more than a year ago, I interviewed for a job, I didn’t get, at this 9/11 compound. The brilliantly designed outdoor Memorial was up, but the museum wasn’t open to the public yet. Today was the first time I’ve walked through the finished product, and I encourage any of the commentators comparing this week’s crazy terrorist attacks in Paris to what happened on September 11th to swing by this compound the next time they’re in town as well, since their sense of proportion seems a wee bit off.
Dear Roving Retorter, so glad you are blogging again. I have been missing you for a few weeks. Sounds as if you were occupied with visitors over the holidays. Also sounds as if you had fun with them, which is great.
ReplyDeleteNot in the fun category: We also went to the outdoor 9/11 Memorial, but two summers ago, when the Museum was not yet open. We will go soon to the Museum. Yes, the death of 3000 people overwhelms the death of 17 people, but still, the terrorists in France targeted free speech and freedom of the press so specifically--not to mention exhibited extreme anti-Semitism, again so specifically--that attention must be paid. In addition, the terrorists seemed to be using everyday people (such as a runner) and police as casual target practice on the streets--if that happens here in New York we will all be in a tizzy. The terrorist brothers in Boston basically shut down the city for a while. That can happen here. The potential is very frightening.
I respect your opinion and, of course, free speech, but (re: the sequence of events in these two instances I've heard several people equate) there's a difference between dying after assuming the risk for publishing inflammatory content (outspoken/controversial isn't the same as inflammatory), to the point where you have a bodyguard in place, and being a completely unsuspecting party getting sucker-punched, sans the slightest bit of provocation. There's a difference btw. getting slain for something you passively represent vs. something you've actively (however admirably) chosen to do.
DeleteFantastic photographs RR, and I look forward to visiting someday.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a fantastic 2015 ahead!
So I should take the A or C train into Brooklyn, get off at High Street and stroll into Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge, before walking over to the 9/11 Museum and Memorial? Will do.
ReplyDelete