No 11: Missing

I was in New York two weeks before 9/11. In fact, on that occasion I had breakfast at a small place somewhere beneath the towers, precisely at the time the first plane hit 14 days later. I’ve been back to NYC since then, but never returned to ground zero, until today.

If you've been there before that day, the sense of there being something missing - the gap, for want of a better term - is overwhelming. If you hadn't, I suspect it would still feels very odd. In a city where everything is packed as tightly as possible, there’s a massive space where the twin towers used to be.
 
The memorial is elegant and dignified. Two giant fountain pools sitting in the footprint of the two towers, surrounded by the names of all the people who died. Beneath is a museum exhibit outlining the events of the day and the aftermath.

Strangely, not as depressing as I expected*. The memorial illustrates the strength of human character in the face of terror and our ability, as a species, to help one another and put our lives at risks for the sake of others. Not depressing, but very, very sad.

The Freedom Plaza South Tower Memorial, 11th November, 2014

So, what better New York way to cheer up than with Pizza? Not just any pizza. no no. A walk across the Brooklyn bridge to Grimaldi’s - the place where Frank Sinatra used to get his pizzas… shipped to him in Las Vegas. Now, I don’t know if they reheat well, but I can vouch for one thing - they sure are goooooood.

Large Pizza with italian sausage, pepperoni & extra cheese, Grimaldi's, Brooklyn, NY. 11th Nov 2013

*note. in case you are wondering, the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC is the most depressing place I have ever been.

No 10: In amongst the towers

Whether you are looking up, or looking down - Manhattan is impressive. I spent the day walking the streets of midtown, mostly looking up at the buildings. It’s hard not to. 

One of the great things about New York is that at every turn there is something famous. Even if you’ve never been here - which I have, several times - there are lots of recognisable names: The United nNations, The Guggenheim museum, The World Trade Center, Madison Square Gardens, Times Square, Madison Avenue, Central Park, The Brooklyn Bridge… and on and on.

NW Corner of Bryant Park, 6th Ave & 42 Street, Nov 10th 2014

No 9: There's always a bigger fish

I’ve always been fascinated by cities. All aspects of them - from the nerdy complexity of their transport systems and supply chains, to the intricacies of their social structures and how the geography of a place can define it's culture.

As a Londoner, there are very few cities in the world which fill me with a greater sense of awe than my home town. London is, after all, one of the greatest cities in the world and was, for hundreds of years, the largest, densest city on earth.

But New York… It leaves my mouth hanging open at the sheer scale of everything. Each time I come here I'm reminded - to quote an unpopular movie - "there's always a bigger fish". Bigger, taller, faster, busier, noisier, dirtier. It's even awake longer, 24 hours a day. As I wander the streets looking up, down and side ways, unable to take it all in I realise that only New York and Tokyo have this effect on me. I feel like a little fish in a small pond.

Today’s picture is of lower Manhattan as seen from the Empire State Building. The Empire State isn’t the tallest building in New York any more, but it’s still the most magnificent and since the fall of the twin towers, probably the most iconic (although fans of the Chrysler Building might contest that!)

Lower Manhattan, view from the Empire State Building, Sunday 9th November 2014

The second picture, is the opposite view, looking north towards central park (You can just about see the aforementioned Chrysler Building on the far right side of the image)

Midtown Manhattan, view from the Empire State Building, Sunday 9th November 2014

No 8: Travel Land

There's a place we all go from time to time. It's both everywhere and nowhere at the same time. But even though it doesn't really fall under any particular sovereignty, it's not a no-man's land or a free for all or even a free state. In fact it probably has stricter rules and swifter justice than anywhere else:

• You can't enter without permission. 
• You can't leave without permission. 
• You have to carry identification at all times
• You have to keep all your belongings with you at all times.
• Do not joke with officials - Security is no laughing matter.

Welcome to Travel Land! Enjoy your stay! (You could be here a while)

Somewhere in Travel Land, Nov 8th, 2014

No 7: Compare the Burger (part 1)

With my trip to the USA imminent I thought I'd chronicle my lunch (and thus my first food pic of this challenge). Once a week a bunch of us walk to the Chicago Rib Shack, which is relatively newly opened in Clapham North. That's about a 25 minute walk each way, so the heavy lunch is justified I feel.

In the pic you can see the £8 Lunch Special - Burger, Fries & coleslaw, with additional Mac & Cheese (£4) on the side. Total cost, £12.

It should be relatively easy to comparison shop once I'm in the USA. I'm expecting to get more & better for less... but we shall see.

Lunch Special plus side at Chicago Rib Shack, Clapham North, 07 Nov 2014

Upddate:

To answer a few questions, asked via facebook. Yes, I ate it all. it's really not that much. And yes, it was good. Burgers are very subjective things, but I like the ones they serve here.

No 6: Thought of the day

And there are days where you are just left with wise words. The 'Though of the Day' board at Tooting Bec and other Northern Line tube stops has become a 'thing' for local residents. Some days, it hits the nail on the head.

Thought of the day, Tooting Bec, 06 Nov 2014

No 5: Magnetron

Magnetron with chaos defrost

I got a new microwave. Actually, I got a Magnetron. That's the Dutch word for Microwave, and with the added 'chaos defrost' mode makes it sound way more sci-fi!

I never thought a household gadget could be so important. Not having one for 3 months has changed the way I cook and eat but not in the way you think.

See, I love cooking large amounts and freezing the extra. But with an electric hob in our new flat and no Magnatron, reheating frozen food is a real pain in the backside. So I've been cooking different meals and ordering more delivery and take out meals because I don't have the time to cook anything decent.

And finally, sterilizing jars for hot sauce is Waaaaaay easier in a microwave.

So there, I've justified the purchase for all the cooking snobs. Magnetron Wins!