path: root/memories/2025-nyc/index.md

title: Nancy & Blaise visit NYC
start: 2025-05-17
end: 2025-05-25

_This memory is written in first person from the perspective of Blaise Thompson._

# 2025-05-17 Saturday

Just after lunch on Saturday, mom and I set out on our adventure.
We took the city bus to the intercity bus to the train---lots of public transit.

<figure>
  <img src="./ready-to-go.jpg">
  <figcpation>Packed up and ready to go.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./intercity-bus.jpg">
  <figcpation>Intercity bus.</figcaption>
</figure>

We arrived in Chicago with a few hours to spare around dinner-time, so we took a cab to one of my favorite restaurants downtown: Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant.
This restaurant has been around since before mom lived in Chicago---despite that, she had never been.
We had kofta, a really special treat.
It's amazing to taste the layers of meat with different textures.
Lamb, of course.

<figure>
  <img src="./sayat-nova.jpg">
  <figcpation>Interior of Sayat Nova restaurant.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./kofta.jpg">
  <figcpation>Kofta</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./kofta-detail.jpg">
  <figcpation>Kofta detail showing layers of meat.</figcaption>
</figure>

Finally, it was time to catch the train.
The train from Chicago to NYC leaves quite late---21:30---this awkward choice was made to allow travelers coming from the west coast to have a chance to transfer.
The late departure time was wonderful for us as sleepers.
Unfortunately we did not get to see Chicago Union Station, the entire station was blocked off for some fancy gala.

<figure>
  <img src="./amtrack-ticket.jpg">
  <figcpation>My ticket, note the first class wristband.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./train.jpg">
  <figcpation>Our train.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./train-car.jpg">
  <figcpation>Our car.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./train-hallway.jpg">
  <figcpation>Small hallway.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./tight-quarters.jpg">
  <figcpation>Tight quarters in our roomete.</figcaption>
</figure>

Once on board, we were treated to a nighttime treat at the dining car before heading to bed.

# 2025-05-18 Sunday

Sunday was our lovely day on the train.
We both slept very well with the gentle rocking of the train car.
We enjoyed a day of games and conversation with breaks in the dining car for Breakfast and Lunch.
In Albany NY we were able to take a few hours to walk around while the train was split in two---half for NYC and half for Boston.

<figure>
  <img src="./train-sink.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nancy uses the personal sink in our sleeper cabin.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./sleep-morning.jpg">
  <figcpation>A sleepy morning as the world flies by.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./train-lunch.jpg">
  <figcpation>A wonderful lunch in the dining car.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./chess.jpg">
  <figcpation>Private games in our train car.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./engine.jpg">
  <figcpation>New train engine in Albany.</figcaption>
</figure>

By late afternoon we reached the Hudson River.
Great weather.
We enjoyed the long approach to NYC along the entire length of the Hudson Valley.
The mountains and hills really are dramatic.
I felt an appreciation for the rocky foundation upon-which NYC is built.

<figure>
  <img src="./hudson.jpg">
  <figcpation>View of the Hudson River.</figcaption>
</figure>

We arrived at Penn Station, enjoying the brand new intercity train hall, and caught the subway to Columbia.

<figure>
  <img src="./train-hall.jpg">
  <figcpation>New train hall.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./arrive-columbia.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nancy arrives at the Columbia train station. As she remembered, blue and white subway tile.</figcaption>
</figure>

# 2025-05-19 Monday

We focused on visiting places that mom frequently visited during her time at Columbia.

<iframe src="map.html" title="Map" width=100% height=1000></iframe> 

## Butler Hall

Thanks to Mom's alumni status, we were able to secure accomidation in Butler Hall---one of the dorms owned by Columbia.
Address 400 W 119th St.
She stayed at this very same dorm as a graduate student.
Our two-bedroom suite, complete with generous living room and kitchen, was an absolute steal at $150 a night.
We had room 7-O, that's letter "O" not number "0".
The 7th floor was high enough for a fantastic view of Harlem and all the way to downtown.

<figure>
  <img src="./nancy-butler.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nancy poses in front of Butler hall.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./butler-bedroom.jpg">
  <figcpation>Bedroom at Butler Hall.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./butler-living.jpg">
  <figcpation>Living room at Butler Hall.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./butler-kitchen.jpg">
  <figcpation>Butler kitchen.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./butler-room-view.jpg">
  <figcpation>View from Butler room 7O.</figcaption>
</figure>

We were also able to enjoy the fancy viewing area on the 16th floor.
The 16th floor bathroom was stunning with views of Harlem.

<figure>
  <img src="./16th-floor-south.jpg">
  <figcpation>View from Butler 16th floor looking downtown. Trees in the foreground are Morningside Park, in the distance Central Park can be seen.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./16th-floor-west.jpg">
  <figcpation>View from Butler 16th floor looking west towards Harlem.</figcaption>
</figure>

## Johnson (Wein) Hall

## Eli White
  
Eli White Memorial Residence for Nurses
Exteriors 1937
Recreational activities 1937
A new place is at the corner of 167th St and Audubon


## St. John the Devine

## Apartment on 105th

310 W 105th St.  Apt 5. 

## Bard Dorm

# 2025-05-20 Tuesday

New York Botanical Garden

High Line

# 2025-05-21 Wednesday

Mom's leg was in pretty bad shape, so we enjoyed a day at Butler Hall.
Bad weather outside made the experience of staying in even more attractive.

<figure>
  <img src="./rooftop-reading.jpg">
  <figcpation>Blaise reads on the rooftop.</figcaption>
</figure>

For dinner, we decided to check out Sylvia's in Harlem under recommendation from Roberta, a worker at Butler Hall.
We enjoyed corn bread, macaroni & cheese, collard greens, fried chicken, pork ribs, and sweet potato pie.
Delicious food.

<figure>
  <img src="./sylvias-exterior.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nancy poses in front of Sylvia's Restaurant.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./sylvias-interior.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nancy enjoys dinner at Sylvia's.</figcaption>
</figure>

# 2025-05-22 Thursday

A day of tourism.
We visited the New York Public Library, where we were happy to discover an exhibit celebrating 100 years of the New Yorker magazine.

<figure>
  <img src="./new-yorker.jpg">
</figure>

We also visited Madison Square Garden and several toy stores, including the LEGO store.
I bought a gift for Mark.
There was a full sized Yellow Cab made of LEGO that we sat in.

<figure>
  <img src="./lego.jpg">
</figure>

# 2052-05-23 Friday

Another day of shopping and resting.
Mom went shopping at Talbots NYC, finding a dress, pants, and a sweater.
We visited the American Folk Art Museum, which was small but interesting.
Lunch was at Pastrami Queen, midtown.
All these trips were done by Bus and Subway---pretty freeing to be able to zip around the city without worrying about parking.

<figure>
  <img src="./folk-favorite-nancy.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nancy's favorite piece at the folk art museum.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./folk-favorite-blaise.jpg">
  <figcpation>Blaise's favorite piece at the folk art museum.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./pastrami-queen.jpg">
  <figcpation>Lunch at Pastrami Queen.</figcaption>
</figure>

After lunch and a nap, I went down to SoHo on my own to shop at Gu.
I ended up buying about six pieces, all very functional for work and affordable.
Gu is a pretty cool brand.

<figure>
  <img src="./blaise-soho.jpg">
  <figcpation>Blaise in SoHo.</figcaption>
</figure>

Along the way I saw some city creatures.

<figure>
  <img src="./pigeons.jpg">
  <figcpation>Pigeons swarming.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./racoons.jpg">
  <figcpation>Racoons seen living inside the Morningside retaining wall. Don't miss the third one peeking out---so cute!</figcaption>
</figure>

Dinner was NYC Pizza from a local shop.

<figure>
  <img src="./pizza.jpg">
  <figcpation>Dinner from Rosa Pizza, Harlem.</figcaption>
</figure>

# 2025-05-24 Saturday

The week of our visit happened to also be US Navy Fleet Week.
Lots of sailors around and special events related.
In honor of mom's uncle Arne, we traveled to the pier to try and get a look at one of the visiting warships.
We didn't have time to wait in line and actually go on the ship.

<figure>
  <img src="./nancy-warship.jpg">
  <figcpation>Nancy poses in front of a warship docked to one of the Manhattan piers.</figcaption>
</figure>

I traveled north to meet up with Felix at the Met Cloisters.
One of the best parks in NYC, with a fantastic museum displaying midevil art right in the center.

<figure>
  <img src="./cloister.jpg">
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./cloister-column.jpg">
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./unicorn.jpg">
</figure>

Felix, mom, and I enjoyed french cuisine at Le Monde, quite near the Columbia campus.
I suprised myself by enjoying mussels.

<figure>
  <img src="./mussels.jpg">
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./french-onion.jpg">
</figure>

As our last hurrah in NYC, we enjoyed an opera.
It was really fantastic, I can't wait to go again.

<figure>
  <img src="./opera-us.jpg">
  <figcpation>Felix, Nancy, and Blaise attend the Met Opera.</figcaption>
</figure>

<figure>
  <img src="./stage.jpg">
  <figcpation>The stage is set.</figcaption>
</figure>

We saw [Salome](https://w.wiki/EHY4).
It was a very modern, creative telling of the bible story.
The singing was in German, and small screens near each seat showed the translation in real-time.
The entire stage moved up and down, there were visual effects---very impressive.

# 2025-05-25 Sunday

Nothing much to say.
We traveled by bus to Newark and flew out.
First time mom used a wheelchair at the airport.