Metropolitan Museum of Art...

While Jimmy worked with Peter, I went to The Met for the first time. I especially loved the exhibit In Praise of Painting: Dutch Masterpieces at The Met, which included this humorous painting by Jan Steen in 1662 entitled The Dissolute Household.

There were also several van Goghs, including Irises, 1890...

...and Wheat Field with Cypresses, 1889...

...plus Vermeer’s Young Woman with a Water Pitcher, 1662.

Beyond that exhibit, I liked Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851...

...Autumn Landscapes by Tiffany Studios, 1924...

...and the cool glass ceilings of several galleries.

That evening I completed my journey around the world by taking a red-eye flight home, while Jimmy stayed in NY for a couple of days of work.

Spotted in Manhattan...

There were definitely some interesting characters roaming around Times Square, such as the Naked Cowboy...

...Elmo carrying a fancy purse and backpack...

...and a masculine Statue of Liberty. 

Beyond Times Square, we came across ice skating rinks at Rockefeller Center...

...and Central Park.

It was cold, but that didn’t stop tourists from getting their portraits drawn in Central Park.

Evenings in NYC...

We had dinner each evening with Peter, Sophie and two of her sons (the eldest was away on a school trip). As in past visits, Peter took us for some of the most amazing sushi. Another night we took them to their favorite vegan restaurant, which was also incredible.

The most unusual dinner by far was on the concierge level of NY Presbyterian Hospital on 68th Street. We had been along when Peter brought his mother to the hospital and waited in the car while he negotiated to get her an upgrade to the special floor. Apparently no one can say no to Peter, and she was admitted to the floor that has a private dining room that family and friends can pay to join the patient for a three-course meal—luckily it was much tastier than hospital food usually is.

Despite already having dessert at the hospital, Peter said he was dropping me and Jimmy off for ice cream. I wasn’t thrilled about eating again, but it turned out we weren’t there for the ice cream after all. Although it was a real ice cream shop during the day, at night it was a secret bar with the entrance behind this wall of ice cream cartons.

It was very crowded, so we squeezed in near the bar. The cocktail menu was intense with ratings of each drink by strength, complexity and wow factor. I had the Old Silk Stocking, which had activated charcoal to make it black, and Jimmy had the 1040 5th Avenue, which was a modern take on a Manhattan with rye bread on the top.

We enjoyed our drinks and then rushed to the subway so we could watch Saturday Night Live live for the first time in many years.

Another Day in NYC...

Every morning before 9 a.m., Central Park becomes a giant dog park as dogs are allowed off leash in many sections of the park. The next morning we joined Peter at 7 a.m. to experience this particular activity for locals. We started with the worst hot chocolate I think I’ve ever had...

 ...then went for a wander around the park with his two dogs.

The dogs were clearly so happy to be able to run free.

It was sweet to see this dog statue, which was sculpted in 1925 to depict Balto, a lead sledding dog who fought a blizzard in Alaska to transport critical medicine.

 

I especially liked seeing this wonderful Alice in Wonderland bronze statue, which was made for the children of New York City in 1959. 

That afternoon, Jimmy and I went to see the musical Avenue Q, an adult parody of Sesame Street. I was somewhat skeptical about a show featuring puppets, but it was truly hilarious.

Our timing was good since the show ended after 16 years in May.

An Unexpected Upgrade...

When we returned to the hotel, we were shocked to find out that Peter had managed to get us an upgrade. 

The room itself was a bit bigger...

...with a balcony...

...complete with a black sheep...

...and even more incredible views.

If you look closely, you should be able to see me in these two photos. 

Rumor has it that this room would go for $20,000 on New Year’s Eve. 

After learning that attendees on the street often wear adult diapers due to the lack of toilets while waiting for the ball (seen above the TDK sign) to drop at midnight, I can understand why those who could afford it would pay the big bucks for a guaranteed view with a loo. 

Reflecting on New York...

We liked the High Line so much, that after finding a salad place for lunch in the Meatpacking District, we walked back the other way. Along the way, I captured some reflections.

Not only did I think the clouds looked cool in these windows...

...but also thought the old biscuit company building was cool. 

High Line Selfie

I also enjoyed catching some reflections of the Empire State Building...

...before catching a shot straight on.

High Line Art...

There were lots of interesting art pieces along the way, including a few of this famous New Yorker...

...and this cool depiction of the human body called The Dig of No Body, like a life-sized soil sample in movable layers.

There was also some cool street art.

This neon sign depicts the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in America...

...and this one is a quote from a feminist poet (Veronica isn’t a difficult name, but a lot of people seem to find Ashlynn’s name hard to spell).

Random Graffiti