Already I have made my December trip into New York City.  My monthly foray came sooner than expected because some time ago I was put on the waiting list for a trip planned for The Adult School of Montclair (a nearby town in NJ).  Three days before the scheduled trip I was notified that someone had cancelled and I could attend the trip on December 1.  So off I went!

The tour included a morning at the Neue Galerie, an art gallery focused on 20th century German and Austrian art and design, mid-day free to have lunch in the city and view the Christmas sights, then an afternoon tour of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

I am open to all kinds of experiences in New York City.  I would not have selected either the Galerie or the Cathedral as one of my top picks but was ready to see what life had in store for me.

Image from Wikipedia

The Neue Galerie is showing a special exhibit by Gustav Klimt.  I knew the name.  I vaguely knew the story of “the woman in gold” his portrait of Adlele Block-Bauer that had been stolen by the Germans during World War II and was returned to the family (after some persuasion) in 2006.  There was a recent movie ” Woman in Gold” starring Helen Mirin.  Otherwise, I knew little.  I was interested but not excited.

WOW!  Just WOW!  It was an amazing exhibit.  Extremely well attended.  The audio guide was informative and allowed me to do my usual roaming, staying away from the most crowded areas until there was a lull.  Klimt’s paintings and drawings were phenomenal.  His sketches of the flowing fabrics of their clothing took my breath away!  And the Woman in Gold cannot be adequately described!

Image from NPR.org

Believe me, this image does not do it justice.  It is a large work. The gold is indeed gold leaf but with various textures under the leaf.  The textures add as much as the colors and shimmer of gold.  It is amazing!  His other works were similarly beautiful.  His portrayal of the women was beautiful.  He was kinda cute himself…never married…a number of liaisons…

Image from BBC.org

Then, we took our small tour bus downtown to see the New York City Rockefeller Center Christmas tree (lighted the night before) view the holiday shop windows and have lunch.  A new acquaintance and I happened upon Butter, Alex Guarnaschelli’s restaurant….you know – one of the judge’s on Chopped?

Image from Buttermidtown.vaesite.net

I had the Fried Chicken Waldorf Salad.  My new friend, Barbara, had the Cavatappi Pasta with Spicy Lamb Sausage. We shared.  Both were delicious.  We had to eat at the bar since we did not have reservations but it was comfortable and we were well served.  Nice.

Then, on to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.  It was wonderful having a tour. There are many folks freely walking about the sanctuary enjoying the beauty but it was great hearing the history and detail of the building of the Cathedral.  Our docent serves in many of the services in the church (it is a fully functioning parish) so gave us a number of behind the scenes stories.

Did you know that when the Cathedral was first being planned and first construction began, it was in the middle of nowhere…farmland all around?  $5000 was paid for the two block area in the 1850’s…the Lord got quite a deal!

Just a side note…see that figure outside the entrance doors to the Cathedral.  Looks like his arms are spread as in crucifixion?

Atlas carrying the weight of the world. The world is invisible from inside the Cathedral. I am sure there a an allegory there.

A great day with three unexpected treasures!