November 10th/11th - Talking 'bout New York

Sunset overwhelms the Statue of Liberty ... from the Brooklyn Bridge

It's hard to describe the energy that seems palpable in this town. There is something about it that I haven't felt anywhere else. We arrived after dinner time to our hotel and walked straight to Times Square which was a block away. So many lights. It was almost culture shock. 

The next day we honoured remembrance day by attending the American "Veteran's Day" parade. From there we walked down to the 9/11 Memorial, also very powerful with folks visiting from around the world. 

Wall Street was our next stop which had been closed down to traffic for the holiday and in their place: street vendors, artisans and a band playing James Brown Tunes (see "Get up offa that Thing"). 

The next morning, the big moment arrived. I can honestly say it was one of the most powerful moments in the history of the Institute for Global Solutions. There I was, walking through the General Assembly will IGS 11 students, it was almost surreal. (I'm sorry I have no pictures as there was actually a meeting going on. Photos were banned.) SUCH an amazing visit. 

"How can you possibly follow that up?" you ask. Rockefeller Centre, down 5th Avenue, some New York city deep dish square pizza and, just for fun, how about skating in Central Park: