Wondering Rose, this post is for you! I remember when someone visiting the museum where you work asked, “Where’s the museum?” even though he was already in the museum. I was sympathetic to the poor man as it is usually me who gets confused when overwhelmed by crowds, but when we visited our daughter and her boyfriend in New York over the weekend it was my husband who wasn’t keeping up with our guides for the day.
1.28.12 ~ New York, New York
I wanted to see Strawberry Fields, a garden in Central Park that is dedicated to the memory of musician John Lennon. Larisa & Dima led the way into the garden from our first subway stop and there were plenty of signs indicating that we were indeed at the memorial. But Tim was lagging behind and decided to ask a busy gardener, “Where is Strawberry Fields?”
“Never heard of it,” the gardener replied, smiling. But then he pointed over to where Larisa & Dima were standing, a few feet away. It made me wonder how often the good-natured gardener (above photo) has to field such questions! It’s all right, though, the snowdrops surrounding the Cornelian cherry tree (below) seem to be confused as well. They do not usually come up until near the end of February, but our winter has been so mild who could blame them for thinking spring is on the way?
photos by Timothy Rodgers
Thank you Barbara, I understand it now. I hadn’t thought of the simple fact that a tourist could be confused by the fact that she/he’s a tourist and everything’s confusing (though I think it’s a lot easier to be confused out in the middle of a park in the middle of a huge city like NYC than in a museum.)
Love the photo of the gardener.
Rosie, you and that gardener would probably have a great time swapping stories about the bizarre questions you’ve been asked! 🙂 What blew my mind was that it was Tim who was confused this time! I’m so glad the gardener had a delightful sense of humor – he seemed so ready with his answer!
Barbara,
the trick is not to be confused in the middle of the park but to be in the space, for confusion only allows for one to get lost.
I remember just last summer going up to NYC to meet with Kathy and getting off in China Town yet needing to be up town soon and when I could not get on the subway from where I was, I had to wander, ask questions of local, and get headed in right direction.
I have seen the side walk piece but I have not been to Strawberry Fields !
I remember well your account about finding your way to meet Kathy, Jeff! I’m still in awe of the composure you possess to be able to navigate the mysteries of the city and its transportation system with so much calm persistence. Hats off to you! (I simply don’t know how to be not confused – it’s part of my nature to be confused…)
Hi,
As soon as I saw your heading I thought of the song straight away, in fact it is still playing in my mind. 🙂
Very nice photos. I most likely would be looking everywhere for all the strawberries, fields of them. LOL.
Thanks, Mags, and I didn’t see any strawberries either! 🙂 Just a few brave snowdrops. Perhaps there will be more vegetation in the spring and summer – will have to keep that in mind for any return trips.
Both songs, *Strawberry Fields Forever* and *Imagine* have been going through my head the past few days, too.
This post brings back memories of a trip to New York City several years ago. We enjoyed walking through Central Park and discovering Strawberry Fields.
I think one could spend a day or two walking around Central Park. It’s hard to know what to see first when visiting this huge city!
Very nice post. I was in New York in 1977 and I never forgot my trip. Went for a car tour of Central Park, but it was at night and I didn’t see much detail. I like the gardener photo too. Jane
Before he died we went to visit Tim’s father in New York in 1978. After he died we had to see a lawyer about the estate and his office was in the World Trade Center. After our appointment we took the express elevator to the observation deck on the top floor. The view from the elevator door when it opened was so disconcerting – the windows ran from the floor to the ceiling – I could not bring myself to go over to the edge and stayed glued to the wall by the elevator. What an experience!
It’s a pleasant place to visit. I think you already know about my last trip to Central Park http://blackwatertown.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/the-dog-wee-art-wipe-man/
Yes, I remember! Thanks for posting the link so I didn’t have to search to refresh my memory. This visit we didn’t see too many dogs, but scads of children zipping around on scooters while their parents followed behind, texting away on their cell phones. Don’t know if I’d want to have a dog or a child in the city.
I was telling my daughter how dirty the city air was when I was a child in the 1960s when we’d go to visit our aunts. Driving into the city, by the time we arrived at our destination we were covered with a gritty film. It’s a lot better now, but I understand the rat problem in the subways is worse now…
That’s funny Barbara! Well, at least you guys didn’t have far to go.
The photos look great! I really think that Tim has a knack for photography. I really like the nature shots. It gives a sense of “calm” amid the hustle and bustle of the cityscape in the background.
I’m so glad that they have a beautiful garden dedicated to John Lennon’s memory. I think his music is timeless. It was before my time when “The Beatles” were hot, but I can appreciate their music.
I just bought Paul McCartney’s new song, “My Valentine” which just came out yesterday. You may have already heard that he has a whole new album out. I don’t know whether or not you are also a fan of Paul, but he will be doing a free live concert on iTunes. It will be tomorrow Thursday February 9th at 7:00 pm pacific coast time. For me, it will be at 10:00 pm here in Florida. I’ll be tuning in!
By the way, I think Paul rocks, but did you also know that he is a vegetarian who loves animals? Way cool I must say! Anyway, thank you Barbara for sharing!
Tim is doing a good job with the new camera, and he’s better suited to taking pictures in crowds, having grown up with five younger brothers he’s used to constant chaos and pandemonium. 🙂 I tend to shut down in cities…
The Beatles were starting to drift apart when I became aware of them. The *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band* album was a Christmas gift from my cousin, when I was about ten years old, my first album ever. George Harrison became my favorite Beatle because I sensed his quieter nature and deep interest in spirituality. I followed and identified with his music closely in the 1970s and still listen to his albums on my iPod playlist.
I like the other Beatles, too, but George holds a very special place in my heart. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your McCartney concert tonight! 🙂 It’s a little late for me, I’m afraid. Zzzzz….
I bought Linda McCartney’s vegetarian cookbook in 1989(?). I failed miserably in my attempt to turn us into a vegetarian family – I didn’t understand how to prepare TVP and my kids will often tell stories about my crunchy spaghetti sauce. Long stories! 🙂
We’ve not been to New York but would very much like to visit, at least once. I’m not much of a city person, two or three days is usually the limit, but they offer so much that isn’t accessible otherwise. I find myself alternating between exhilaration and exhaustion. But in the end, glad to have been there.
I’m smiling at your crunchy spaghetti sauce story from the comment just above Our kids are now telling their childhood food stories (which seem to be growing in imaginative detail!) to their kids.
“Alternating between exhilaration and exhaustion” is a good way of putting it, Colleen. 🙂 Larisa told us she went to a *Daily Show with John Stewart* taping and now I want to go do that, too, but at the same time dread the idea of standing in the crowd for a couple of hours to get in.
It is so amusing listening to adult children tell stories about how things looked to them when they were little, through their eyes! There are many realities to embrace – bless their hearts! 😉
Oh poor Tim! But just the thought of going to NYC is overwhelming to me, as like you, I don’t like crowds of people. It would be worth overcoming any minor phobias though for the joy of being there. Lucky gardener, what a great place to work. 🙂
We were lucky to have Dima & Larisa for guides, even if we lagged behind at times. 🙂 I don’t think we’d ever visit NYC without assistance, but there are many who love the hustle and bustle and endless variety to be found when people-watching. 🙂