Friday, 9 July 2010

Top of the Rock and MoMA

To-day we began by indulging Sue's penchant for ascending tall buildings and went up to the viewing platform at the top of the Rockefeller Center.  The views were magnificent and the visibility was very good.  We've been lucky with the weather because it's cooled down a bit whilst we've been here.  Earlier in the week it was in the upper 90s and now it's in the mid 80s.

After that we went to the Museum of Modern Art.  This has an amazing collection of paintings - from the late 19th Century up to the present day.  We had a false start with the audio guide.  Listened intently to a description of a painting by Sueret thinking "this is a bit basic and patronising" and then realised that we were listening to the children's commentary.  The collection is quite amazing - Matisse, Cezanne, Gaugin, Van Gough (Starry Night), Picasso, Andy Warhol (including the famous Cambell's Soup cans and Marilyn Monroe), Pollack.  Very enjoyable - but I still think Joan Miro is taking the piss!

Halfway through we stopped for refreshments and Sue contrived to drop a whole carton of tea all over my trousers and partially down the man sitting next to me!  However, it started a conversation with a very pleasant couple from Minnesota who made some recommendations of places to go to on our travels.

We finished our visit with a stroll around the Sculpture Garden.  Amongst the exhibits this housed a "Wishes Tree" where everyone was invited to write a wish on a luggage tag and hang it on the tree.  I share this one with you.  "I wish my children would behave so that we could have a nice week together..and world peace"

By the way the major sports news is that LeBron James has spurned The New York Knicks and signed for The Miami Heat.

2 comments:

Pete&CathMcG said...

Hi Keith and Sue,
You're certainly making us feel jealous swaning around New York throwing tea over whoever you like (if you're fed up with him now ,Sue think about....)
By the way Keith you probably needed the children's version of the Miro painting to really know the extent of the piss taking!I personally think Pollack is off the piss taking scale but that's modern art for you.
The sports news here is that Wednesday hope to avoid relegation this season but can't really see how they can compete with teams like Charlton. You heard it here first.
Drive carefully
Pete&Cath

pam said...

Hello from sunny Congleton, you are not on your own for good weather. Glad you are enjoying your trip and visiting places you only dreamed about, sounds like you will have to wear waterproof trousers, although accidents like lead to lifelong friendships. We have just cheered Jonathan on in his triathlon. He made it in 6 1/2hrs, amazing when I think of what he was like last year.

Cheers, Pam & Terry