The week leading up to the anniversary was routine. Highlights included a visit to the Lincoln Centre where we saw the original film of West Side Story. The music was played live by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Very good.
Friday they started to close down the city. Police on every corner. Four lane roads closed down to two lanes. All large trucks were being checked. Roads blocked.
Nothing left to do but go to diner. Started at a little wine bar, Casslula. Drinks, nibbles and cheese. Then on to Restaurant Row West 46th for next course. Hard work as we then walked home. Saturday much the same. Dam the routine.
Spent a little time speaking to the Italian owner of a little restaurant "Celeste" on Amsterdam between West 84th and 85th. There's one or two restaurants in this city. He knew every Italian player including the reserves. It was suggested that I should ring Robbie and ask him to have the Aussies go easy on Italy. I guess next time we go the prices will have doubled. Great win by the Wallabies.
Sunday morning we took a bike ride over the East side and then headed for ground zero. Two policeman for every citizen. Helicopters hovering above and one the US's battleships moored in the Hudson River. We got to the barriers. I tried the, I'm Barak's elder brother, no luck. Then tried, I'm Cadel Barrow. No luck.
Last try we suggested that Maureen was a leading Australian politician and if they got it right they had to let us in. The answer was Kristina Keneally. Again no luck.
An enormous day. The name of every one who died was read out. All 2900 hundred of them. At Battery Park there was a separate flag to remember every person who had been killed. A significant memory. The city has embraced the ocassion. One the way home we had to stop at Pier 66 to have beer in remembrance of those who had passed away. Just one , not 2900.
The Harts arrive this afternoon for the next week. It will be difficult. The US Tennis Open on monday afternoon to see the mens final. Go Nadal. Tuesday is a free evening. Wednesday show and diner at Cornelia St, Thursday Andre Bocelli in Central Park and Friday the New York Surf Festival to see surf film by Richard and Andrew James. We'll have to increase the training regime.
Stay Tuned
PB&MBinNY
