The moment you doubt
whether you can fly,
you cease for ever to be able to do it.

"Peter Pan" 
J.M. Barrie
Photography by Denise Blasor 

FANCY FREE IN NEW YORK CITY

Freedom Tower,  NYC

New York is as electric and expensive as ever and still, there
is plenty to see that won't cost you a penny. Here's two places
worthy of a visit.

Out of a heinous event, a beautiful tribute has emerged.

The 9/11 memorial downtown is truly an amazing sight: a tree-
filled park bordering two massive fountains built out of slate gray
granite and etched with the names of the nearly 3,000 persons
who perished at ground zero on Sept. 11, 2001.

The fountains, covering the footprints of each tower, are a
powerful metaphor for death and resurrection.

As water gushes down the sides of 30-foot deep walls (26,000
gallons per minute), it is sucked into a large square hole set in
the middle of the fountain basin, as if to suggest the lives that
were snuffed during the attacks and the disappearance of the
twin towers when they collapsed.

The four-sided cascade creates a  hipnotic effect, the loud
crashing of the water operpowering all sounds, including
human voices. The evocative design adds the element of
hope that makes these twin fountains such an eloquent
monument: the continuous cycle of water falling down and
disappearing into the void helps remind visitors that life
continues even in the face of horror and nature is a great
healer through its presence and beauty.

ⓒ Wikipedia
9/11 Memorial Fountains

 The High Line is another of New York's most exciting new
additions. Part walkway and part hanging garden, this linear
park was built on a 1.45 mile section of an old disused rail
line 30 feet-above street level.

View from The High Line

To walk along its length, beginning at Gansevoort St. in
Greenwich Village all the way to 30th street, is to
experience an unparalleled perspective of New York, unlike
any other. The height of the walkway lets you take in a
close up view of whole blocks of buildings for a true,
appreciation of the wonderful play of architectural styles:
sturdy brick buildings of yore cuddle next to flashy modern
structures, some of which have been designed keeping in
mind the attention they would attract by being located near
such a popular tourist destination.

Walk The High Line and you become a voyeur, peaking
 into people's apartments and company offices, or a merry
adventurer, walking through and under buildings like the
20-story Standard Hotel which arches over the walkway.

Set on massive concrete pilotis, this elegant, sleek building
features two glass-curtain slabs slightly angled to give all
rooms  "unobstructed" views of Manhattan; the effect is
that of a gigantic open book. At night, with its lighted
rooms, the building is  quite magic.

The High Line is a little like  a fantastical movie set
and as you walk along it, you feel like a star. The plot
of this film is really quite simple: a fabulous short
walk  through a city of dreams on your way to meet
friends or perhaps, the love of your life.

All along the walkway, there is a rich array of flora,
prairie plants and grasses, flowers and trees, a profusion
of wild nature that invites people to stop and admire
their surroundings. During the winter, all that nature
will be quietly sleeping so the best time to enjoy this
aspect of The High Line is in the summer. Winter and
spring offer a different experience but not any less
exciting.

A memorial and a walkway. Two sides of New York
bound to stay in your heart forever.

Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind
To arrive there is your ultimate goal
But do not hurry the voyage at all
It is better to let it last for long years.

"Ithaca"

C P Cavafy

☛  EYE ON PRODUCTS
Applegate naturals 
Uncured Sunday Bacon

IF you are considering making Spaghetti Carbonara, then
good bacon is of the essence.

 Like Applegate's uncured Sunday Bacon which contains
 no nitrites nor nitrates, synthetic preservatives commonly
added to cured meat in order to preserve its flavor.
(Cooking at high heat can convert nitrites into carcinogenic
substances. Nitrates used as additives also can turn into
nitrites.)

According to company information,  Applegate
Naturals sources meat from farmers who raise animals
humanely and feed them a vegetarian grain-fed diet.
Pork are raised on sustainable family farms in a stress-free
environment that promotes natural behavior and
socialization, according to the company.

In San Juan, this product can be found at Freshmart stores
for around $6.

FRESHMART

This chain of food stores that sell organic products has
locations in Carolina, Hato Rey, Guaynabo, Caguas, Condado
and Aguadilla.

Telephone number: 787.762.8300

freshmartpr.com

Photography by Denise Blasor

Walking through each day
with an open heart.

Ann O'Shaughnessy

© 2014 Lorraine Blasor  all rights reserved