New York City - Day 3 - Saturday

Busy morning on Saturday. We went to breakfast at Pax so I could finally have a New York bagel. A. already had two. Then when we went to Bryant Park, and I wanted to take some pictures, I found out my camera wasn't working since I didn't charge it last night. Fortunately, A was kind enough to let me use her Samsung to take pictures, and we downloaded them later. This book cart in the park is sponsored by HSBC. Evidently, kids can use the books while they're in the park.

Bryant Park Carousel

Before we went to the NYPL Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, we did get a picture of the building across the street with the circulating collection.

Then, we crossed over to get pictures of the building everyone thinks of as "THE New York Public Library, although there are other buildings. This weekend was the celebration of the 100th anniversary of that building. It opened May 23, 1911.

And, the lions! I love Patience and Fortitude. For the anniversary celebration, LEGO artist Nathan Saways did replicas of the iconic lions.

Me with Patience, one of the Library Lions

A LEGO Lion

Me with one of the LEGO lions

We were lucky enough to get to tour the building, and then we had a rare tour of the closed stacks. It's something they usually do at the holidays for special groups. We went down three floors on back stairs. We were able to see the stacks, and also the dumbwaiter they use to send the books up to the reading rooms. Frankly, as a former page, the pages at the NYPL who work the closed stacks appear to have a boring job. But, people are people, and they also had warnings not to hide the bins of books because it makes more work for other people. I felt very lucky to be in NYC for this celebration, having the chance to take both tours. The building itself is beautiful, but it's fun to know most people never get to see the closed stacks.

We happened to pass a chocolate show, Lily O'Brien's on our way to the library in the morning, so we ended back there this afternoon since they weren't open when we were out walking earlier. MMMMMMMM. Chocolate from County Kildare, Ireland. A bought two boxes of the Sticky Toffee Chocolates, something she usually only gets in England. Very good chocolates.

It was our last night to hit Broadway shows. (sniff) A. went to see comedian Mike Birbiglia, one of her favorites, while I met Talia Sherer to see That Championship Season with Kiefer Sutherland, Chris Noth, Jason Patric, Jim Gaffigan and Brian Cox. Another magical evening in New York. I don't understand why this play didn't do better because the cast was superb. Reviews said it was dated. OK, it's set in 1972. But, for Pete's sake, if you know it's set in 1972, and, it's played as if it's 1972, why does that date it, anymore than a play set in Victorian England. At least Talia and I really enjoyed it.

Theater posters

Then, I had to take one last spin through Times Square since we switch hotels on Sunday. We're moving to Madison Avenue for our last two nights, away from the Theater District and Times Square.