Tales from New York

We're back from our extended weekend in Manhattan. We absolutely love visiting New York and can't wait to go back again. It is such an exciting city and I think part of the reason that I love it so much is because it is the complete opposite of where I live. The excitement in the air is palpable, as is the humidity. Who knew NYC was just as hot and humid as Houston? The city pulses to the sound of traffic, sirens, street performers, locals, and tourists. There is so much to see and do.




Most people are aware that the cost of living in New York is astronomical. Studio apartment for $3,000 a month, anyone? Despite the fact that I was well aware of the high cost of living, I was still surprised to learn from Justin, a New Yorker we chatted with, that some parking spaces cost about $250,000. You can buy a nice 4 bedroom house in several areas of Houston for that! But the thing is, you aren't paying so much for an apartment or a parking space, you're paying for a lifestyle. What people give up in space, they get in culture, shopping, dining, museums, and all that is the fabulous borough of Manhattan. I think I would take that in exchange for my little suburb at this stage in my life.


While in New York this weekend, we had the opportunity to visit The Met and The MoMa. The Met reminded me a lot of The Louvre with its massive collection. We will have to visit again sometime because we only saw a portion of it. It is much too big to see in one day.


The MoMa has made its way to the top of my list of favorite museums. I absolutely love modern art: impressionism, cubism, surrealism, pop art, and this museum has an amazing collection. Fabian, my design buff husband, loved seeing the architecture and design exhibition. It made me so happy to know that he was enjoying a museum as much as I did. The highlight of my visit was seeing one of Frida Kahlo's paintings in person. I am so excited to share this with my students when we do our unit on Latin American artists this fall. I was also able to see a Diego Rivera and a Gustav Klimt in person for the first time.


I realize that I am rambling a bit and that this post doesn't have such a clear focus, but there are so many things fresh in my mind from this past weekend and I haven't had time to organize my thoughts. I just wanted to write this before I forgot something. So, allow me to continue. My absolute favorite neighborhood in Manhattan is Greenwich Village. It is so peaceful compared to the rest of the city. It has so much character and charm, plus it is home to great shopping and dining, and of course the Magnolia Bakery, which I paid another visit to. I could walk through its tree-lined streets and people-watch there all day. If ever there comes a day when we have to move to New York, it is the neighborhood we would want to call home.