THE BIG APPLE

I am apologizing in advance for this extremely long post. I haven't blogged for a week, though, so count this as one a day...

My second trip to New York was a success. I went with the Snow College Art Department again and we had a good time. I will hit some highlights for you:

As I mentioned previously, I went to see 'Wicked.' I had heard it was great and was not disappointed. I cannot believe people can sing like that night after night. The costumes and set were amazing too. I had the song 'Popular' stuck in my head the whole trip.

Down in the lobby of The Gershwin Theater with my Broadway-going Buddies!

Here is one of my purchases from Canal street this time. I bought one for a friend too, but I am VERY tempted to keep it!

Of course we went to the museums (The Met, The Frick and the Moma). Here are a few of my favs from these places.

We also went to LOTS of galleries this time. There was plenty of bad art to be found. It was very disappointing. Here are just two examples from Chelsea:

The first one is a stalker-type homage to Linsay Lohan. (It actually looks like my room when I was growing up, except the photos were of Duran Duran). 'Why is that art?' you ask. 'It isn't!!', I reply. The second photo is a gallery where goats roamed free. Needless to say you had to watch where you stepped. WHY??

The Uptown galleries we went to were actually quite a bit better (most of the artists actually had skills). I was VERY impressed with these two shows. The Robert Cottingham painting (the first one) sold for $300,000!

Those of you who know me well know that I am very unadventurous when it comes to food, but for some reason when I travel I will try new stuff. This time I actually ate (and enjoyed very much) a lamb gyro off a street vendor cart. Who would have thunk it?

We also had some good Indian food at a tacky, but fun place in Midtown by our hotel.

One of my favorite discoveries this trip, however, goes to...

I'd heard many wonderful things about it from multiple sources and now I proudly report- I am a convert! The red velvet cupcakes were my favorite, but I also liked the s'more ones too. I even bought a t-shirt!

*NYC DISAPPOINTMENTS:

1. S couldn't go with me
2. Missed the Guggenhiem
3. Didn't ride the ferry
4. Got blisters on both heals
5. PS1- helping to give art a bad name since... whenever.
6. Paid $18 to get into the Whitney- 2 hours of my life I will NEVER get back!

NEW YORK NOSTALGIA

I was looking for some art images on my New York CD and saw all these fun photos from my trip 4 years ago. I couldn't resist posting them to help me reminisce about them.

I have very fun memories of this trip. It was my first to New York and I was so fascinated by all the things we got to do: walk Times Square at midnight with a million other people,go see a Broadway show, walk through Central Park eating an ice cream cone, taking a taxi ride, sitting in the 3rd row for 'Stomp', taking a night-time ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty, hiking across the Brooklyn Bridge, and on and on...

But, by far, my most favorite thing about this trip was visiting the museums and galleries. It was so amazing to see all of the art in it's original state. Looking at the actual brush strokes on the canvas, being able to walk all the way around a sculpture, seeing the actual size of the work, instead of looking at it in a book. It was so amazing! I am so still in awe of the art that I was able to see and the buildings I was able to be in.

Next month I get to go to Chicago for another installment of what I like to call "Art Trips for the Needy." I am very excited and hope to see more amazing art and architecture.