Bob Travel

The sculptures in New York City’s Central Park, offer not only a visual delight, but a bit of the history and the lure of the ages as well.  One of the most famous sculptures throughout the city, of the people sitting in the cafes in any boutique hotel in New York, to those standing on the street corners, is that of Alice and Wonderland, the “unbirthday” party.  All of the favorites from the Lewis Carroll story are brought to life through bronze, seated atop and surrounding an incredibly large mushroom.  The character of the Mad Hatter is said to have been modeled after the man who commissioned the project, George Delacorte, a well known benefactor to the art world of New York City during the 1950’s. And the likeness represented in Alice is said to be that of the sculptor’s daughter, Donna.

The sculpture is the work of José de Creeft, commissioned by Delacorte as a gift to his wife in 1959.  Around the base of the piece, de Creeft carved out lines from one of Mrs. Delacorte’s favorite passages in the book which is the poem of “The Jabberwocky”.  The sculpture is very tall, and the feeling you get from taking it in is one of not only whimsy, but of warmth and love as well.  See, over the years, many people, young and old alike, have passed their hands over these beloved characters, which has created a patina on the piece which glows.

There are more than one hundred and thirty sculptures in the gardens of Central Park, from Hans Christian Anderson and his Ugly Duckling, to characters from Shakespeare’s play, “The Tempest.  Representations and portraits of such artists and characters as Beethoven, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Mother Goose.  The first time I walked through the park I was overwhelmed, not only by the artistic nature of the sculptures, but of the feelings of nostalgia that many of them provoked.  It was a bit like walking through my childhood, and my adulthood, all at the same time.  Incredible really, in the way that can only be the New York way, the magical way.

Traveling in this economy is still possible.  Many businesses are offering discounts such as the airlines and the restaurants, and even in New York City one can find a good deal on a room in a hotel.  Central Park is one of the many locations wherein most of the fun to be had there does not cost a penny.  During any season one chooses to visit, there are activities in the park that fit the budgets of many of today’s travelers.  During the springtime and the summer months, the fountains burst into life and the flowers in the gardens bloom.  Sheeps Meadow becomes lush and green and many will spend the days sunbathing, picnicking, playing Frisbee, or keeping an eye on Pale Male’s next for the first glimpse of the hatching hawks.  There are many free concerts and theater shows in the Park during this time as well as the Summer Cinema Program.  For those traveling with children, one option is the Central Park Zoo, which is open to the public and admission is free.  And during the winter months many come to Central Park and ice skate at the Wollman Rink.
Other free or inexpensive ways to visit and sight see are a plenty.  Simply walking through Washington Square park can be a beautiful, and entertaining way to spend an afternoon, as around every curve of the walkway there is someone playing guitar, performing street theater such as mime shows or magic acts, as well as the drummers that produce incredible rhythms simply using their plastic tubs turned upside down.  A fifty cent ride on the Staten Island Ferry is a great way to catch incredible views of the Statue of Liberty as well as the New York City Skyline.  And for those who enjoy walking tours, along with so many of the neighborhoods such as the Village or Chelsea, one can take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  This is a must do walk for anyone, especially for those with an eye for photography and structural wonders.  And then of course, there is the quiet view of the entire island from atop the Empire State Building.  The best time for this excursion is at dusk, when the lights of the city are just starting to twinkle.  Traveling these days should be relaxing and stress free, and there are many ways to find those experiences, even in a city such as New York.

I came to New York just to see Central Park, oh and of course everything else in the 3-day I have here. Just on business, but I want to fit in as much as I can while I have the opportunity. I’m fortunate enough that my company put me up in one of the many Four Star New York Hotels
near Central Park.

I was amazed to find Chinese women in Central Park bending beneath trees. We I got closer, I could see they were gathering what seemed to be small plums. Me, not being shy, went up and asked them if those were indeed plums. They smiled politely at me and explained that the trees are Ginkgo trees which drop their fruit when ripe. I couldn’t believe it. New York has Ginkgo trees in Central Park?  The ginkgo fruit has long been prized in China and I believe in Japan as a food and a medicine.

I was so fascinated that this tree is right here in New York and that these ladies knew of it’s precious qualities. I hung around them, like I can be a real bother sometimes, especially when I want to know things, and asked them all kinds of questions. They told me the Chinese name for ginkgo is ‘Bai-guo’, translates as the ‘white fruit’. They said it helps with digestion and improves circulation. They especially liked how it helps with the mental faculties of the elderly.

Then they really told me things I had no clue about. The ginkgo tree produces fruit by a mature female tree and the fruit really smells bad. They held one up for me to smell and it was like a cross between too strong of a cheese and vomit. Yeah, they were right! Stinks! So, these women can tell when it’s time to gather up the fruit, it’s when Central Park smells horrible.  I think I’ll leave the picking to these wonderful women and try to find an area in the Park that’s not so smelly.

New York, the city that never sleeps then naturally has a robust morning life as well. So, if your a visitor or business person that can’t go to sleep because of jet lag or just plain to excited, don’t worry there’s plenty to see and do. Most New York Hotel Suites will gladly tell you what there is to do in the mornings of New York City. Places to dance till 3am, another place to eat at 4am that’s right next to a yoga studio which opens at 5am for morning salutation yoga.

Afterwards, you’ll definitely run into the groggy dog walkers, the disheveled IT employee or a elderly immigrant in bright leisure workout slacks power walking down the sidewalk. The sun will rise, so there’s even more to do at 6am in the morning. You’ll spot the sunrise through a visual latticework of suspension cables of the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges, just a 10 minute walk from the City Hall-Brooklyn Bridge subway stop.  Then entertain yourself with a view of the city when on the bridges, counter clock wise from the sunrise you will see the Midtown Skyline, the downtown skyline and then the ever popular Statue of Liberty. Hopefully, you’re hungry again, cause now, at 7am, it’s time for breakfasts, the bigger chains are always open, but search a little more to get a taste of maybe something in Chinatown, it’s just a few blocks away. Dim Sum or walk into that restaurant that has ducks hanging from the entry posts. If you’re not in the mood for that, stroll a little further
north to have brunch at Balthazar, a takeout bakery open for a continental breakfast and no waiting for a table and the first crack at a pile of free newspapers.

Central Park is another place for morning activities if you’re staying father uptown. There is an official opening time of 6am at the park, but you’ll have it virtually to yourself, until the runners start in around 7am. Go even if it’s raining or freezing, you won’t be disappointed no matter what the weather. Central Park is a definite must in the morning, say around 7:30am the New York Audubon offers bird watching on Saturdays. For Breakfast take a brisk walk from the southern end of the park to Norma’s serving a classic New York breakfast classic. That’s all Norma’s serves only breakfast and a bit on the expensive side, but so worth it.

As you can tell, there’s no end of possibilities of what and where to go in the New York morning. Just hanging around your hotel will reveal it’s own little treasures. So, wake up and smell the adventures of the morning.