New York! Our First week

Its hard to believe it has been a week since I flew out of Heathrow in a tizzy – I was still on my phone organising insurance as we started down the runway!

I got in several hours before Greg and dumped my bags, grabbed a sandwich and headed out to chill beside the Hudson River in the sun. 
I cannot describe the feeling of exhaustion and bliss whilst baking in the heated afternoon sun.
Greg arrived on time! It was so wonderful seeing him again!

We explored our little new york loft apartment (properly 5 floors up!) with a gorgeous little balcony!

On our first day we decided to go for a walk Central Park, with the sun shining down and ducks and turtles swimming in the ponds – it was so beautiful. I have to say living in London I’ve really really missed the SUN!!

We then headed over to the Highline – a raised section of railway above the streets, so that trains could to deliver goods directly to factories and warehouses (meats, dairy etc). They’d put the trains on the high tracks so they could roll directly into the buildings for unloading.
It fell into disuse in in the 1990s and was almost torn down, until the public protested and it was saved and redeveloped as a public raised park.

As we wandered around we met some amazing people. Saw a man with an old corona typewriter and a sign saying “Poems about anyone or anything”
Why not? said Greg? Why not indeed.
Bill Keys of  Poems While You Wait sat and chatted to us for a while and then proceeded to write a poem about our year of adventuring. And here it is:

Then we were stopped by a random stranger (actually named Marshall)) who explained he is working on a project called Conversations with Strangers. He started it to overcome shyness and make himself meet more people in New York, and now has quite a large following.

Oddly enough one of Greg’s friends Pratima reads this blog and saw us appear on it – serendipity!

See our post below:
https://www.facebook.com/cwstrangers/photos/a.255532111305291.1073741853.248298755361960/256000564591779/?&theater

Since that first day full of surprises we’ve been taking it easy, with Greg’s jetlag and I came down with a bad sore throat. But I have to say we’ve had some amazing times.
We have managed to visit the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) twice (once we realised it was pay as you wish!), seeing the most amazing Egyptian exhibits (its the second largest Egyptian collection in the world, the other is in Egypt).

We’ve walked around various areas of the city ooh and ahhing at the amazing buildings. I had no idea the Rockefeller Building was still in use as a television studio!
(If you’re ever there Magnolia Bakery and Ben & Jerrys are right there – just a tip ; )

On Thursday we walked across Brooklyn bridge, which had such fantastic views Greg turned into a japanese tourist (seriously) I couldnt walk three paces without him stopping for another photo!
But as you can see its pretty amazing….

I think our Absolute Highlight this week has been attending a free jazz concert in Prospect Park as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn concert series.
Greg had wanted to go to the Ornette Coleman Tribute night, which he described as a jazz concert. Sounds good, but if you know a bit about jazz (unlike me)  you will find that Ornette is a famous saxophonist, trumpeter, composer and pioneer of the free jazz movement.
The tribute was to a living legend, so Ornette of course turned up, and was introduced by his son Denaro, who had organised a special night of jazz. We were amazed to find seats fairly easily and settled in to watch. After they introduced Ornette to the stage (Greg whispering ‘I thought he was dead’), they then intro’d another special guest to say welcome – Sonny Rollins! (I knew who he was).

You can listen to Ornettes famous free jazz tune Lonely Woman here: http://youtu.be/QSmYTc1Jv7w

Then they started to intro the band, and after each set, more and more special guests came on. First one I did really know was Flea from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, then Patti Smith sang a special tribute – or really did some beat poetry with wild clarinet!
Then just more and more special guests came on: John Zorn, Henry Threadgill, Ravi Coltrane (son of John Coltrane & Alice Coltrane) and my favourite Savion Glover the tap man.
He came on and free tapped to the band – oh my god. Mind Blown. You can see a video I took below (its only “27 sec)

Finally after all that we caught a glimpse of MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) yesterday, walk around Times Square, East Village on weary feet, and ate the BEST PANCAKES & FRIED CHICKEN in town.
My top tip for food so far is:
Clinton St Bakery – here is a pic of their pancakes as my picture really doesnt do it justice.We waited for 45min for brunch and I have to say these are the best pancakes EVER. Light, fluffy and with their signature maple butter sauce.
Yum.
(If you click on the pic there is a link to their recipe but beware, its an advanced one!).

We are still in New York for a further two weeks so if you have any more suggestions send ’em on!
I’ll be doing another post this time next week!
Lots of love and happiness
Jade & Greg xx

PS here are some random pics for you – check out the NY dog.