50+ Lifestyles

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

By Eloise Graham

Trains, Buses and Boats… (Part 3)

New York City here we come! A commuter style train ride was our mode of transportation from Philadelphia to New York. I remember looking at the distant skyline getting closer and closer. Then when going over a bridge, suddenly there was no “skyline” just tall buildings all around. We were right in the middle of it. As we walked out of the train station onto the sidewalk outside, one boy bent his legs a little, trying to look bow-legged, and exclaimed, “Well gaw-ley, would you look at those silos!”

So many things to do in the big city.

Our time spent here was basically free time. We only had a couple of planned events, so most of it was sightseeing on our own. I wanted to go to the Automat. I had heard stories about this famous eatery; that celebrities were often spotted there. So that was one stop some of us went to. I was disappointed. It wasn’t a swanky restaurant… it was just a humongous vending machine.

One evening, a group of us were just walking around Times Square; breathing in the excitement of the city that never sleeps. Outside one of the theaters was a man inviting people to come in and hear some bands play. “Only $2.”  One of the boys in our group grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s go!”  We went in to a huge theater, sat up close to the huge stage in front. One band after another played for about 3 hours straight. Wish I could remember all of them that I heard. Some were undiscovered unknowns, others were yet to be discovered and some were already on their way up. Ike and Tina Turner, Peaches and Herb and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons all entertained us. Many others I don’t recall but all very entertaining. At that point in time, the Four Seasons were the only ones I was familiar with. It was a great evening.

We made it back to our hotels before curfew. But not everyone did. Two girls from my hometown were late. Our counselor was finding out who had seen them last, what their plans had been, etc. About 20 minutes later, they arrived – with quite the story.

I think they had gone to Coney Island or some place and were on their way back to Mid Town on the subway. They missed their exit. Now bear in mind that they were from a town of slightly over 10,000 people. There was a city bus route that completed its route every 1/2 hour. If you missed your stop, you just got off at the next one and walked the block or two back. That doesn’t work with the subway!!! The next stop was The Bowery. They got off, decided to walk back to Mid Town. After seeing a few derelicts lying around, they thought better of walking. Went back down to the subway, waited for the next train going their direction and got back on.

It was exciting just walking around Times Square, window- shopping on 5th Avenue and reading the marquee signs on Broadway. There were also neat shops on 6th and 7th avenue where we could buy souvenirs or grab a bite to eat. Of course we went up in the Empire Stare Building. Another hot spot in the mid-60s was the Peppermint Lounge. Remember that name? It had been made famous because of the song “The Peppermint Twist.” Not for sure if I walked by there or not, but that song brings back memories of New York City from that era.

Many hometown people had told me to be sure to go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I went there one afternoon. What a beautiful building, inside and out. People had told me that the ceilings were quite high, but I had no idea how HIGH!  It was truly magnificent!

Another stop I made was to Geenwich Village. My best friend back home had asked me to go and get her a sandal from one of the beatniks there. So one morning, I set out after breakfast to find me a sandal. Well, maybe New York is the city that never sleeps, but pockets of it do. Nothing in Greenwich Village is open before 11AM and most places don’t open until 1:00 or 2:00. I couldn’t wait that long. There were other places to be. Suddenly, I saw a guy sitting out in front of a shop, a leather shop and he was crafting sandals. I told him my desire. He went and rummaged through a pile of items and found one for me. He wouldn’t take anything for it!

I can’t explain the look on her face, or the teacher’s, a few days later when I walked into class, passed by her and laid a single sandal on the desk. My mission had been accomplished!

Now the big finale was our finale day in NYC. We went on the Circle Line cruise boat around Manhattan Island. Leaving from the boat docks at the lower west end on town, we headed out into the bay cruising past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Then up the East River under all of the bridges that connect Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens. Continuing on headed north, by many historical spots. Then we cruised through the narrower waterway separating Manhattan from the Bronx. Coming out of the Northern point of Manhattan we enter the wide Hudson River. As we come downstream, we pass by Grant’s Tomb. Of course our Captain has to ask us the Question, “Who is buried in Grant’s tomb?” Finally we have completed the circle around Manhattan, are now back at the piers. Our traveling has come to an end.

Now it is time to pack up, head to the train station. No more significant stops; just the train from New York to Chicago to Kansas City. It has been an excellent week.
I have enjoyed writing this series, many forgotten memories came back to life. I hope you have enjoyed reading it, and maybe remembered some of your past trips.