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I wandered around Central Park a few times but saw it first on Christmas day. On the left are notable apartment blocks on the low-70s of Central Park West. On the left are the Majestic apartments, next is the Dakota building [home to Yoko Ono and Lauren Bacall], and on the right are the twin towers of the San Remo apartments. |
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'You ever pass by the lagoon in Central Park? Down by Central Park South?' 'The what?' 'The lagoon. That little lake, like, there. Where the ducks are. You know.' 'Yeah, what about it?' 'Well, you know the ducks that swim around in it? In the springtime and all?' Do you happen to know where they go in the winter-time, by any chance?' 'Where who goes?' 'The ducks. Do you know, by any chance? I mean, does somebody come around in a truck or something and take them away, or do they fly away by themselves - go south or something?' 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J D Salinger |
The clever ducks fly away. The dumb ducks move to a corner of the Lake that isn't frozen and are there fed bits of bread by itinerant Scots tourists. I borrowed a piece of bread from a bemused lady as she stood near the edge of the water. I thought it best not to dwell too much on why I was so pleased to see the ducks. Ironically, this homage to Holden Caulfield took place with the Dakota building in view.
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A view from Belvedere Castle across Central Park to the Upper East Side |
Belvedere Castle
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Strawberry Fields is a 2.5 acre garden in Central Park. Overlooked by the Dakota building, on Central Park West, it commemorates the life of John Lennon. He was killed outside the Dakota in December 1980. The garden has 161 different plants, one from each of the countries that contributed to its creation. A feature of the garden is an oval mosaic, donated by Italy, in the centre of which is the word 'Imagine'. Flowers, laid out on the mosaic, resisted the tug of the wind as candles fought against the bitter cold. |
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In Central Park on Christmas day, two married couples posed for photographs. This couple were interviewed by a reporter for New York One, a local cable channel. The bride was asked if she wasn't uncomfortable in the freezing temperature wearing just a jacket over her wedding dress. She smiled at her husband and replied that, "The love in my heart keeps me warm." |
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Skaters on the Wollman Rink at Central Park South. In the background is The Plaza Hotel. Both were restored to former glory by property tycoon Donald Trump. I went inside the hotel for some tea and cake [$17!] on Christmas day before heading back to 'my' apartment to open some Christmas presents imported from the old country.
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