New York City-Part 3

With all the extra security because of the UN General Assembly, I was surprised they let us into the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. We did have to pass through screening before entering the building, but that was to be expected.  The original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was built on 5th Avenue on the site where now stands the Empire State Building. Owned by the Astor's, it was built to the specifications of George Boldt, the first proprietor of the hotel. George Boldt was the builder of Boldt Castle on Hart Island in the St. Lawrence Seaway, which I visited earlier this summer.

 This current Waldorf-Astoria was built in 1931 at 301 Park Ave.

 

Inside was full of diplomats, many in their native dress, others in formal wear, but all were surrounded by bodyguards and security. In the center of the room is the famous clock, commissioned from Goldsmith's of London for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.

St. Patrick's Cathedral. A very gothic looking building in the heart of Manhattan.

The San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy in Manhattan's lower end. It was mostly food vendors and even a carnival. There was a parade, which I understand lasted only about 10 minutes. I missed it because I had walked over a couple of streets into Chinatown.

The Shrine of San Gennaro. During the festival many people stop and place money on the shrine.

Space is at a premium on Manhattan. They have come up with a great way for parking cars in a tight spot. Just stack them. I never did get to see how they get the cars up and down though.

My daughter-in-law's parents now live in Battery Park and they graciously invited me to spend the night with them. This is Jim and Nancy somewhere in lower Manhattan. I really liked the arch.

Down at the South Seaport, one of the older areas of the city.

Another unusual sculpture. It's a series of mushrooms. I wonder if Alice lives here?

In front of Federal Hall. It was closed, so I did not get to visit this National Park site. Many of the buildings on Wall Street are barracaded because of the protesters.

The view from Jim and Nancy's apartment looking across the Hudson River to New Jersey.

They have a corner apartment so they also get to look down on the 9/11 Memorial.

As we left Sunday morning to head uptown, we watched many U.S. Naval Academy students participating in a memorial run. The run was for a firefighter who lost his life rescuring people from the Battery Tunnel following 9/11. Many other participants were survivors of 9/11 and/or rescuers. Those lined up on the side are fireman and police in uniform.

The Lutheran Chuch in uptown Manhattan. Until 1995 it was a Catholic Church. It is quite run down and needs lots of repairs. I think there were only about 30 people in church that morning.

A statue of Christopher Columbus in Columbus Square, just outside of Central Park.

Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Belvedere Tower was erected in 1869 as a lookout.

I know this is the bridge which has been seen in many movies, usually in a chase scene. This bridge is located in Central Park.

Radio City Music Hall. I saw Zarkhana, a Cirque de Solieu presentation.

The end of the show.

And this is the Westwood Elks Lodge, our gracious hosts during our stay.