The Holidays, New York Style

New York loves Christmas. I've never seen a town that loves Christmas this much. I don't think I've ever enjoyed the holiday season this much--at least not since I was a kid on Christmas Eve.

I took the subway downtown this afternoon to explore Wall Street and the South Street Seaport Historical District. The temperatures here are still in the 50's, although we should expect a turn in the weather soon. Skies were gray today but I was prepared with my John Olerud #5 cap just in case it rained. (I figured that Yankees fans would respect me in this particular Mariner's cap, seeing as how they acquired my favorite Mariner last season.)

I wasn't expecting to see more than one HUGE decorated tree amongst the towering bank buildings downtown, but I did. There were several. In fact, there were Christmas trees just about everywhere--even on boats at the seaport. It was my first time on Wall Street, (named for the wall built in 1653 to keep enemies and warring Indians out of Manhattan). I'd never seen the famous bronze Bull - the symbol of Wall Street - until today. The street was closed off to cars--I don't know if that's a daily thing or not. Lots of tourists in NYC on Saturdays.

The architecture of the buildings--old and new--is positively amazing. It's like stepping back and forward in time. You might see an 1883 brownstone sandwiched between two fancy skyscrapers ten times its height. The 17-story New York Stock Exchange is really something. It was built in 1903. Encompassing at least half a block, it actually seems small and unprotected when you consider that it is the hub of the world's financial markets. I will post a picture of it at the end of this blog entry. The front pillars of the building are all decorated in lights formed in the shape of the U.S. flag. You can't help but feel a pang of pride and empowerment when you stand in front of such a sight. It's pretty neat. Speaking of flags, I noticed that the flag next to the Bull was flying at half-mast. Is that in honor of the souls lost on 9/11?

I saw lots of world-famous buildings in the Financial District--the U.S. Custom House, Trinity Church, Federal Hall National Monument, Bank of New York, and the Trump Building with all of its gold trim. Nearly every building has a Christmas tree on display behind the glass panes of the lobby. The street lamps up and down the street are decorated with white lights in the shape of shooting stars.

From there I walked over to South Street Seaport. I'm glad my girlfriend Vonceil told me about it. It's a big tourist hit--full of shops and cafes, complete with tall ships, water taxis to Staten Island, and awesome views of the Brooklyn Bridge. I'd like to go there at night some time.I enjoyed the shops. The first one I entered had a million sea-shells in it, which reminded me of my good friend Shelley from "back home in Bellevue." She is the only person I know with a beach in her guest room. I couldn't resist getting her a couple of souvenirs there. The Christmas shop inside Pier 17--(now a huge mall)--was great! I wanted to buy one of every ornament in the store! But I only got as many as I could carry. :) I got one for myself commemorating my 2004 arrival in the Big Apple and some to take to family at Christmas.

I was there at Pier 17 for a couple hours, at least. I left and started heading toward another big lit Christmas tree in the middle of a wide cobblestone street. That turned out to be the Fulton Street Market. As I got closer to the tree, I noticed that it had some scaffolding in front of it. I finally figured out that it must be for a chorus. I thought, "That would be neat to see," and started to walk away, toward the subway to go home.

I paused to get a couple bucks out for the blind man manning the Salvation Army bucket at the base of the tree when I heard the PA system come on, announcing the Big Apple Chorus' entrance. I watched as two or three dozen men of all shapes and sizes, dressed in solid green and red (like elves!), climbed up on the platform and arranged themselves in the shape of a tree. A very real Santa Claus was entertaining kids on the ground at the front of the crowd. I took my place right in front, and others joined around me until the whole square was full of people.

Then the Chorus Tree began to sing! It was beautiful! I stood there a long time enjoying the spirited Christmas carols and the smiles of the crowd. I felt so lucky to have happened upon this treat at the most opportune time. What fun! When I finally got on the subway to go home (after taking my 97th picture of the day)--I couldn't wait to tell the old lady next to me all about the chorus. I even bought one of their CD's and have played it twice this evening.

On the subway I bought a pair of AAA batteries that I needed for a remote control at home from the "giftbelt lady," as I think of her. This was the second time I'd seen her. She has this big wide belt with all kinds of knick-knacks and items attached to it with safety pins. Everything's a dollar or two. I was reminded that I needed two batteries. A dollar for two seemed like too good a deal to pass up. Next I asked the dumbest of all questions, "Do they work?" She smiled and assured me they would.

After she walked to the next car to peddle some more, I said to the the lady next to me, "I hope they work." She replied with a grin, "Well it's not a big investment." That made me laugh. After all, what's a dollar in New York??

Happy Holidays!