NYC day one: 13,500 steps

Safely in NYC. Bags stowed at hotel.

My first stop: McGraw Hill Waterfall.

The water is turned off. 🙁🤣

Stop 2 on my exploration of non-theatery things around Times Square.

Church of the Holy Virgin Mary. Insane this is half a block off Times Square. Obviously this lovely gothic Episocpal church was here before the neon/tourist hotspots, and has stayed here steadily. Interior is insanely glorious. I don’t know how I didn’t hear about this place sooner.

Stop 3 and 3 1/2 of my walk:

I read about various cool “hidden” things to see around Times Square … and really they weren’t kidding. I unknowingly went by the sculptures on this building 3 times on my way to other things, then when I got to it on my list… I couldn’t find the sculptures! I thought the sculptures faced Times Square, but they are on a side street — the same one the pretty church is on.

These were put up by a shoemaker who made shoes for Broadway actors. It all got covered up until it was refinished recently. Shoe store is gone, but his monument remains!

Also there’s a map of all the theaters in Broadway area embedded into walkway on the Times Square side.

Stop 4 of my walk of “hidden” things around Times Square was really well hidden. I walked over it several times WHILE I WAS LOOKING FOR IT! 😆

This is a “sound sculpture” called Hum so photos show you nothing. And even as sound, it is just another noise in the hustle and bustle of Times Square. I thought it was closer to the buildings (there are no signs for it). And there, I could hear the hum of air conditioning units. And I thought: that’s it?

I re-checked the article and realized it meant the subway grating in middle of walkway. And if you listen closely, between the noise of cars and people and the subway below… you hear the faint hum, like someone rubbing their finger on the rim of a glass.

This has been here for decades and few people know. It’s no freak random sound — it’s purposely installed by an artist named Max Neuhaus and maintained by some art group.

NYC is weird, man. This made me smile when I found it though.

Stop 5 on my walk … was supposed to be St Cloud Bar at the top of the Knickerbocker Hotel. I planned to have a cocktail and a small plate at 1:30 and see Times Square from above. I’m not staying at the Knickerbocker but a cheaper place down the block. I’m waiting for my room to be ready for check-in at 3. This seemed the perfect refreshing diversion.

Except the St Cloud doesn’t open until 4! Ooops!

So I googled for nearest pizza joint. Something easy, right? Except apparently Joe’s pizza is like one of the best NYC pizza joints… wtf? There was a line down the block. Yes, basic thin crust NYC pizza. I gotta try it. But I was starving today and kept going.

[ADDED LATER: the hotel clerk told me theres a line in front of the place even at 5 am. ADDED LATER LATER: went by at 10 pm and line was longer, now around the corner!]

So I ended up with lamb and rice from a halal food truck! The pigeons are waiting for me to spill…

chilled in the room, rested my feet, posted all these photos, changed clothes. struggled with whether to wear a cardigan — I did and I got hot. But I might appreciate it more in a couple hours.

Went to see the AMC movie theater which had once been a Broadway theater. I was a bit underwhelmed. lol

Intended to go to John’s Pizza but it was sit down and buy a whole pizza place, not by the slice. I figured surely I’d see a by-the-slice place on way to theater but nooooo. Ended up with a black & white cookie from Juniors and a bottle of water. Far cheaper than whatever I’ll get in the theater!

funny thing. Before the community built St Mary’s church in the 1890s, its church building was located up the street. Where the Booth Theater now is. Where I’m seeing a play tonight.

gonna be an early night tonight [narrator: of course it wasn't] as I have much walking to do tomorrow! … although… there is a revolving bar right across the street from the theater. Maybe I’ll go there before Betty Boop on Friday.

Figured I’d eat at my hotel but their restaurant closed at 9:45 though it’s supposed to be open until 11. Weird. Clearly not enough traffic.

I went again to Joe’s pizza. Line was around the corner this time.

I walked another two blocks and bought $10 of pizza at Carnegie: thin, greasy, cheesy, hot. Good enough! One slice for tonight, one for breakfast.