Angel Jake at the RBC (Rainbow Broadcasting Corporation)

Angel Jake at the RBC (Rainbow Broadcasting Corporation)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Heron-Cam Manhattan Report: The Rest of the Story

Uh oh -- my clients, Mr. Jake and Mr. Just Harry, will be home shortly and I still have Days Five, Six, and Seven to catch up on or they may not compensate me properly for all my efforts. (Admittedly I did get to gorge on a variety of fish and see awesome sights -- but I have to put something away for the down times.)

So, there my charges were on Day Five -- still wondering how anything could top their visit with Ms. Asta and her family -- but they decided to buck up and trudge on anyhow. Off they went on foot, experiencing all the New York City ambiance - the crowds, the vehicles, the mini-events, the noises, the smells.

As they walked along, they passed by the Hello Deli -- famous for skits from the Dave Letterman show. It's a tiny tiny place, with three or four miniature tables and stools -- but the coffee and bagels were delicious (who needs Starbucks anyway?)
On the same street, TV crews were getting ready to shoot a Survivor reunion -- and it was fun to watch all the set-up -- with very very expensive equipment and lots of scurrying around.
Continuing their walk, they found a set of statues in front of a huge office complex, giving a new interpretation to the concept of "green." (These two are matched by a single statue on the other side of the complex.)And then they spent several hours inside the Museum of Modern Art, which was renovated extensively a few years ago and is now able to exhibit works of art that had been in storage for a lack of capacity. Picasso, Matisse, Gaugin, Cezanne, Leger, De Chirico, Braque, Gris, Dali, Arp, Orozco, Rivera, Kahlo -- the museum is filled with old friends from the first generation of contemporary artists as well as those that followed like Rauschenberg and de Konig and Warhol -- etc., etc., etc. In a setting like this, the art just seems to enter through your pores as well as through your eyes (or your feathers). If Mr. Jake and Mr. Just Harry had been there, they would have had just one word to say:




W

In addition to all the thrilling paintings inside the museum, the windows reveal rooftop curiosities:

And from a lovely sculpture garden, even more architectural combinations can be seen: But then, back on the streets -- captured in this early image from the museum and brought to life in real time:

Manhattan is also filled with amazing reflections, whether from store windows... Or from one set of buildings reflected in the glass of another set across the street.

And then: the Plaza Hotel on the south side of Central Park. The Plaza was recently transformed into a residence as well as a hotel. But one thing was left intact: The famous Oak Room -- which is one of my charges' traditional stops for -- yep!! The Classic (and ridiculously expensive) Martini.


Through the window of the Oak Room, with its views of Central Park, they saw this curious combination of transportation modes: private auto, taxi, pedi-cab, horse-drawn carriage, and tour bus:As they walked back to their hotel, they made a quick stop at another New York institution -- the Russian Tea Room. It too has recently reopened.

Dinner was at an Italian restaurant on Restaurant Row -- more linguini with white clam sauce -- just to make a seafood-loving bird go berserk!! And then, a very very unusual play: Exit the King, written by Ionesco and rarely staged. The 400-year -old King, who is scheduled to die at the end of the program, was played by Geoffrey Rush, who was absolutely incredible.
Day Six began with a taxi to Greenwich Village for brunch with friends, followed by more strolling through neighborhood streets. And then another taxi back to Fifth Avenue for a leisurely walk through Central Park. As I said earlier, Manhattan has so many moods. The park on a Saturday afternoon is filled with local families, with their children and their dogs, as well as with visitors from all over the world.
A lake in the middle of the park with sail boats for rent is reminiscent of the Tuileries in Paris. And then, and then -- THE SQUIRRELS!!!!! Oh my, if only Mr. Jake and Mr. Just Harry had been with us!!! These two were so laid back and unafraid -- two terriers could have had a ball!!
Next destination: the Guggenheim Museum -- celebrating its 5oth anniversary with an exhibit of Frank Lloyd Wright's work. Actually, most of the museum was given over to his work, so only a comparatively tiny space was devoted to some of the Museum's other collection. But it was fun to see his original drawings on vellum -- and to see which of his works were built and which were never built.
Last stop for the day: uptown for dinner with friends who live in South Florida, but had just arrived in Connecticut for the summer. My charges thought it would be fun to meet fellow Floridians in Manhattan and their friends found it perfectlty natural to take the train into Grand Central for the evening (something we here in South Florida cannot do.) And of course, just to tempt me -- three of the four had soft shell crabs for dinner. Is there no end to their baiting me and my patience and good manners???
Across the street, they spotted this interesting message, which I do believe Mr. Jake will interpret once he gets home from camp!!!
And so, we reach Day Seven -- and another amazing flight that left LaGuardia Airport on time and arrived back in Fort Lauderdale on time. How bizarre. Could it be because they knew they were competing with one of the finest -- and most beautiful -- of birds?

Just for the record, Days Eight and Nine were a road trip back to Orlando for a business meeting - so I stayed to keep a bird's eye on the house and get it ready for today -- Day Ten - and the return of my clients, Mr. Jake and Just Harry!!!!!
Over and out for now,
HC-Bird

16 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I'm sure your khlients will tip woo some extra fur the great job woo've done!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Gus said...

You are redeeming yourself for the tardiness by doing a complete and fascinating report. Thank you.

Say hi to the boys for us
gussie and teka

Simba and Jazzi said...

What a great trip, our Mummy is so jealous.

Simba and Jazzi xx

Anonymous said...

What a great trip! Fantastic reporting, Mr. Heron!

W - oof!
Joey

Martha said...

Just loved your trip - I have two sons who have been to New York and it is a place I have still to visit! I would love to see yellow cabs, central park and the Museum of Modern Art. Not to mention the shopping in Manhattan etc.
I loved the photos and the snapshot of life in New York - especially the important things like the very expensive Martinis!
I look forward to visiting even more now!
love
Martha & Bailey's mum xx

Agatha and Archie said...

Well ARE YOUR CLIENTS HOME YET????? or are they still at camp???? Gee looks like a great time there.........nice they took pictures OF YOUR NAMES..since you were not there( the boys that is......) Love and kisses A+A PS Boys do you think that was enough?? We did it exactly the way you told us to. we think they must have gotten the message

Dughallmor Beagles said...

You did a great job Mr Heron! Fantastic sights, all of them, thank you for the reports and the lovely photos :D
Slobbers....and smooches to Jake from his Gabbi xxxx

Moco said...

You have been very busy following tthe parents around. Great pictures.

Molly the Airedale said...

What a great trip and you did one heck of a reporting job, H-C Bird! We hope Jake and JH get to visit Central Park one day!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Princess Patches said...

You've done a really great job of reporting, HC! We hope Jake and JH have rewarded you in accordance with the wonderful job you did for them! I bet everyone is happy to be back home!

Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches

Eric said...

Well what a great leggededs view of Manhattan!Fab photo's and detail so nicely chirped Mr Bird.Very good reporting. Loved it all.

Teeheee- Litle Eric did the W in front of OFF (Mom says great minds think alike whatever that means!!She is also very green about the FLW expo jelly)

But Jake and Harry will be jealous bout not seeing Asta and not chasing the squirrels... yep they will have a LOT to bark about when they get home.

Wiry wags n kissies, Eric cxxx

Unknown said...

Boy what wonderful photos! Thanks so much for sharing. H-Mom would like to sit and enjoy Martini hour. And she LOVES FLW. Did you know that she lived in Oak Park (his hometown) for years and years ... she even thinks he haunted one of the places she lived! We want to go and parade through Central Park with Madison. One of H-mom's clients at the gallery is from NYC and often refers to "Central Park Dogs" ... isn't that a cool expression?

Joe Stains said...

Mom is so so jealous that they got to see the Frank Lloyd Wright thing. Mom loves him and just read about that exhibition in her Newsweek. The rest of the trip looked absolutely fabulous, what a great time!!

Unknown said...

Hey! Those headless ladies are right across the street from Mommy's first office in New York. Your people were truly in our stomping grounds and we can't believe we missed them! Next trip, they'd better bring you two along....

Your pal,

Petey

Pippa said...

What a brilliant report (as are all the others) - but this one combines art, architecture, parks and gardens and theatre. Mistress thinks Geoffrey Rush is excellent. Well done heroncam.

Pippa

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

Thank youse for giving us a taste of your trip to New York!

My Jeannie says she likes the look of the Martini too.......even if it was ridiculously expensive, it looooooked soooooooooooo good!

Marvin The Returned Hollow Hound ;0D