Photos by Maria Ngo
I felt quite refreshed. I had finally caught up on my sleep. The 42 hour journey had taken its toll on me. I didn’t however begrudge my sleep in that Sunday morning.
After a quick breakfast and consulting Google Maps to get my bearings, I stepped out a little nervously and with anticipation into the New York sunshine. I was very comfortable under my UniQlo knee length puffy jacket on that third day of November.
I was only a few minutes walk away from Pennsylvania subway with its myriad of entrances. I had a quick look at them as I walked past to prepare myself for when I would need to use the subway,
I walked northwards along 8th Avenue to Madame Tussaud’s. That famed wax works museum was where I was to pick up my New York Pass card that I had purchased online. I had opted for the physical copy rather than a mobile copy.
As I got closer to 42nd Street I noticed more and more tour operators and their staff with pamphlets advertising their products in their hands - all trying very hard to get the attention of tourists. Each tour company and also associated Hop On and Off bus operators had their particular uniforms.
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| Statue at Times Square (Photo copyright Maria Ngo) |
I had done my research about navigating New York streets so as not to be an impediment to other pedestrians which had advised walking on the right where possible and to follow the flow of traffic. It seemed that many tourists had not encountered similar recommendation.
Arriving at Madam Tussauds I found the New York Pass counter to the rear of the foyer. Collecting my pass was a breeze with my email confirmation and barcode.
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| 3 Day Adult New York Pass |
I had purchased a 3 day pass and I didn’t want to activate it just yet. I was going to start with the full day tour of the city tomorrow. There were 2 routes I could take. Together both rides would take around 3 hours. Theoretically you could hop on or off whenever you liked, but given the frequency or infrequency of the buses I was not going to do too many activities but rather stick with the rides. The hop and off bus pass only lasted the one day. My plan was to just walk and explore on foot today, So walk I did.
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| Here at last in Times Square (Photo copyright Maria Ngo) |
Times Square was much smaller than I had expected. There were indeed the humongous screens that were a favourite feature of many movies. To be honest it was a letdown seeing the place in person. Here at Times Square I saw the TKTS stand where one could purchase discounted theatre tickets. I had already purchased mine from an app so didn’t need their services.
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| The giant screens (Photo copyright Maria Ngo) |
I joined the throng of tourists in taking my requisite selfie. There were sculptures and a set of Madam Tussauds wax works in the narrow two street bounded triangular space so popular with tourists.
The thing that I had noticed very early on was the noise! It was a continuous barrage. Not just the blare of car horns but police sirens, ambulances and fire trucks. It was a densely populated city made even more populous with tourists. It seemed that there was an emergency of some sort every fifteen minutes or so.
I did not feel unsafe though in the midst of the crowd. There was ample and obvious police presence and security personnel around.
On the main tourist strip I was pleased to see that there were no visible presence of homelessness like I had seen in San Francisco. In fact I had read that New York was now considered the safest large metropolis in the United States. This did not mean though that all neighbourhoods and boroughs rated equally.
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| Gospel stands (Photo copyright Maria Ngo) |
I was happy to just wander and take in the sights - I was savouring the fact that I was actually in New York! I eventually found myself in the Theatre District and 237 West 51st Street where David Wilkerson had started his church in 1987. I had read the book "The Cross and the Switchblade" in my youth and it had left a deep impression on me - Nicky Cruz was the leader of a street gang known as the Mau Maus who was initially suspicious of David's intentions. Nicky had planned a rumble on one of David’s meetings but found himself confronted by the love of God instead. David’s work later led him to start Teen Challenge which has been instrumental in transforming many lives from drug addiction even here in Australia today.
Times Square Church is located in the former Mark Hellinger Theater. It has been described as "an ornate palace of lavish moldings and draperies". The furnishing caught me by surprise when I had first stepped through the door.
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| Times Square Church - making my way down the aisle to a seat (Photo copyright Maria Ngo) |
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I rather enjoyed the 3 PM service - the choir, songs and sermon were uplifting and I departed rather invigorated.
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| New York lit up at night (photo copyright Maria Ngo) |
My next task was to find a bite for dinner. I chatted with the friendly cashier at Schnipper's as I ordered my burger. The threesome next to my table were discussing relationships when presently one of them brought up that in Greek four kinds of love are described - agape, storge, phileo and eros. Interesting.
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| Schnipper's for dinner (photo copyright Maria Ngo) |
Manhattan is very conveniently divided into grids in most parts. However, after a visit to a nearby supermarket to pick up supplies, I managed to get myself lost (!). I felt rather reassured however when I overhear a couple having a God-conversation. I could not believe how I could go weeks and even months not hearing such conversations in the streets in Australia, but here I was, on my first day out in NY of all places, and I am bumping into random strangers just chatting as naturally as you would about God.
The sun had set quite a while ago and I was ever so relieved to be back at my Airbnb.
Before crashing into bed, I still had a few things to do - including booking activities for the rest of the week - and check the weather.
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| A bit of antioxidant refreshment (Photo copyright Maria Ngo) |
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