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Central Park – New York City
Central Park is a wonderful concept at the heart of Manhatten. While in this special place, you will forget the flurry of activity that surrounds it as the tall buildings before forgotten and you focus on the trees, nature and pleasant surroundings. All around us were aromas of roasted chestnuts, dogs being walked and families spending their day together.
We walked the many trails, yet would need much more time to explore the far-reaching spaces. We saw the iconic horse and carriage rides – often depicted in the blockbuster films set in New York City. I think of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer is a driver.
On such a warm December day we opted to walk the inner parts of the park – passing the boat house, fountains, castle, Swiss cottage and various other monuments that make up this green space.
We stopped for several photo ops – but also stopped to catch our breath. I loved the park bench below and think this would be a great means to use driftwood and blow downs from the wind gusts that plague the Great Northern Peninsula.
I could spend my free time at Central Park, each and everyday. if I lived in New York City. However, it might not be such a practice – as in Rural Newfoundland & Labrador we have endless amounts of outdoor beauty and I do not always find myself getting outside and enjoy what is offered in my own backyard. My blog has helped me realize that the Great Northern Peninsula has such a unique offering to those who get to live it everyday. We should not take this for granted.
After seeing several ducks to feed, we decided to go outdoor skating in Central Park! I put on my bright orange socks and laced up the skates – off I went. I am not a very good skater, but as the MHA for the Straits-White Bay North, I certainly felt alive. There is energy in excise, just like there was with door-knocking, climbing stairs and jogging from morning until dusk. Skating in Central Park is magical – you often forget where you – unless you look up and see the towering buildings.
The view from all around is amazing.
We stopped and drank a nice hot cup of Starbucks Specialty Coffee and Whip. Our day at Central Park could be described as anything less than – Perfect!
I have since purchased a pair of ice skates and plan to practice – I will be satisfied with improving my stopping. I do not have any ambitions to enter the National Hockey League. However, if the Habs are ever looking for an Assistant Coach – there is no better person to hire than my Grandmother!
Live Rural NL –
Christopher C. Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay NorthLook Up, Way Way Up – New York, New York
“Look Up, Way way up” – is a line I remember from the Friendly Giant. It is fitting in New York City where the skyscrapers are far-reaching. A visit to the 102 story Empire State Building – currently the tallest building in the City, stands at more than 440 metres. We took the elevator up 86 floors.
The skyline of New York City is breathtaking. The buildings seem to go on for miles at 360 degrees. It is not my community where if you do look both ways – you could see it all.
We arrived at the top as the sun was setting and darkness began to fall. The sky had magnificent hues of yellow, orange, red, pinks and blues as the lively city began to turn on its ever so bright lights!
There is wonder in the architectural surroundings of this city. We were successful in being photo-shopped into an image with the Empire State Building in the background. A great family portrait!
On the Great Northern Peninsula it would be difficult to find a building that reaches more than 3 stories. The views are quite different – the homes, water and boats in the background.
Every place I visit, offers something unique – New York is one that will take your breath away.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay North P.S. Happy Birthday Mom!A Walk on Wall Street – New York City
The New York Stock Exchange is located on 11 Wallk Street – which trades in the multi-billion dollar range daily and has trillions of dollars of stock in its holdings.
Wall Street and the NYSE has experienced significant highs and lows since its formation. In my lifetime, I can only remember the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 and most recent mortgage crisis which saw stocks free fall in 2008 and send many countries into Recession. The turmoil has been felt around the world as the European Union struggles to deal with debt-ridden countries, USA tries to reform tax structures and rebuild the economy and Canada feels the pains for slower than forecasted economic growth.
Does this have an impact on you? The Occupy Movement is an International Protest directed against economic and social inequality. Their recognizable political slogan “We are the 99%“. There is a growing divide between the rich and the poor as the top 1% are controlling more and more of the world’s wealth and contributing less in taxes.
There must be lessons learned to limit poor banking regulations from having such an impact on everyday people from employment, to retirement savings, to impacting interest rates and lending.
We want a bullish market – job growth and stronger economies. A walk on Wall Street and around the financial sector of New York City is a reminder how quickly prosperity for those that are not in the top 1% can be taken away. Rural Newfoundland & Labrador knows all too well when an industry they depend on is in free fall – the impact lack of appropriate action and strategic planning has on future growth.
Let us place a focus on maintaining Main Street – on the everyday people who work hard to sustain their communities. A weaker Wall Street should not send the world into free fall.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay NorthP.S. While my brother-in-law and I walked Wall Street, my sister and mother spent lots of time exploring the retail sector.
Live Rural NL’s Weekend in the Big Apple – December 2011
Manhatten, New York, New York – Taken from the Empire State Building
After more than 8 months of having tickets booked on Aeroplan points, the excitement peaked, the waiting over – December had arrived and my mother, sister and brother-in-law boarded flights to the Big Apple!
Without the wonderful world of Aeroplan Points, my travels would be significantly reduced. Imagine a return flight to New York City for $140.00 versus $1846.00 via regular fair.
The metropolitan area of New York is more than 8,100,000 people – a stark contrast from the 167 residents that live in my community or the nearly 20,000 that live on the Great Northern Peninsula and even the 500,000 that live in all of Newfoundland and Labrador. A city with hundreds of languages spoken around every street corner and buildings that reach near the clouds.
The hustle and bustle of a city that boasts the largest financial sector – home of the NYSE, endless shopping from Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany’s, Macy’s, top name Designers and many other retailers (would this be the reason my sister wanted to hit up the streets of the city that never sleeps?). It is home of the NY Yankees, NY Rangers, NY Islanders, as well Broadway Musicals, Time Square, Statue of Liberty, Museums, Restaurants and many other wonders. Whatever the reason for its appeal, the city certainly has a lot to offer, even for the rural Newfoundlander & Labradorian.
Our planes arrived just a few minutes apart in different terminals at Laguardia Airport. My mother and I took the shuttle bus and met my sister and brother-in-law. We waited in line and grabbed on of the symbolic yellow taxi cabs to our hotel near Times Square.
There we were in Time Square at night, surrounded by the overpowering flashing lights of advertisements – as far as the eye can see.
On our first night we ended up having a pint of Guinness at a packed Irish-style Pub off-Broadway before we headed to the Gershwin Theatre where we would see the Musical Wicked. After reading the book, it was interesting to see the theatrical performance of just how the Wicked Witch of the West turned out the way she did. A very talented cast!
Over the next few days, I’ll share with you Live Rural NL’s experience in the Big Apple.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay North
