Tuesday

The day started early as I told folks I would lead a morning walk at 6:45 AM. Two people showed up (apparently 2 others arrived late and we left on time). Took them on a 2+ mile walk West past the Manhattan Center, Javits Convention Center, berth where the Intreped is docked when not being refurbished, along 46th and then one wanted to see where the 1/2 price ticket place was so we went there.

After breakfast we had an introduction to navigating the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From there it was getting the 37 folks up to the Met for an 11 AM tour. John has done other tours on museum trips. He likes to take us to the Asian section where there are few people and it is very quiet. We visited a Nagouchi fountain, Scholar's garden, and temple of Dendur.

After lunch I went through part of the Lehman exhibit and on to the second floor to see if the gallery where the van Ruisdael paintings are, but alas, 11 is still closed to I had to settle for the one painting that is on display. From there I headed to the Special Exhibition of Poussin and Nature: Arcadian Visions and In the Light of Poussin: The Classical Landscape Tradition. I really enjoyed the exhibit, but unfortunately photography was not allowed so I have no pictures from there to share. I spent most of the rest of my time at the museum there.

On my way back to our assembling point I stopped at the balcony cafe for some hot chocolate and the took one shot of the masses down in the entrance lobby. From there we took the M4 bus down 5th Avenue back to the hotel.

After dinner we had an optional walk in Greenwich Village--as you remember, participant optional tours are mandatory for me. This one was much improved from the past as Explore New York has purchased listening devices for each person so everyone one could hear Patrick on the tour. We hit highlights in Greenwich village--getting off the subway at Christopher Street, we see several streets of the neighborhood, Washington Square--which is under renovation now--and ended up at a coffee bar. It was a chilly evening so that was very welcome. After warming up we were back to the subway and getting folks home. I was happy the day had ended.

The Nagouchi fountain

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View from the Temple of Dendur

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Jacob van Ruisdael painting

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Lobby of museum

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The one who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt the one doing it.--Proverb