NYC: Grand Central Terminal

13 June 2011

When we reached Grand Central Terminal the exertions and early start to the day were starting to catch up with me and a little voice inside my head was suggesting that we didn’t really need to do the audio tour. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to that little voice though and instead powered through. In fact, about the only thing we didn’t do on our entire plan was go to the Chrysler Building (above) and look inside. We saw it from outside Grand Central, but later forgot that we were meant to walk there before getting a cab to our next stop. No matter though, we saw its pretty, sparkling spire several times during our stay and it’ll just be first on the list for the next visit.

Audio sets are available from a booth inside the terminal and we were given ours by a pretty French woman who looked so perfect in her railway uniform and train driver’s hat. I looked like such a bag lady, with my headphones on, the audio set hanging around my neck and in my hand when need be, my bag on my shoulder, my camera slung around my neck and in my hands when need be and the printed guide in my hands too. If you’re keeping count, you’ll have noticed my need for some extra hands while on the tour.

Now, Suzy is one of those people who remembers all the details of the books she reads and can regale you with all the details of what one learns at a museum, or on a tour. I’m more of an overview kind of girl, saving my memory for detail for which there is no use and about which few care. Black jumper, teal t-shirt and grey trousers. That’s what I wore last time I went to Salzburg in November 2009. You see what I mean? What I’m getting at is: please don’t imagine I’m going to be able to let you in on the secrets of Grand Central. I really enjoyed the tour and I remember being interested in a number of facts. I just don’t recall what most of them were. That information booth beneath the clock though? That is only accessed via a spiral staircase from the floor below … the claustrophobia of which I didn’t want to consider for too long.

I do remember one passageway that was said to be like the Whispering Galley in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Go on, said the recorded voice, try it out. Stand at diagonally opposite corners of this space and see if you can hear what your friend is whispering. With the early evening commuters pouring past us, we did as we were told, taking turns talking into our respective corners … and not hearing a single dicky bird from each other. Now, the internet backs up the talk of this working, but I can’t help wondering if it’s all just an elaborate ruse to entertain those watching the CCTV cameras – “ha ha, got another one!”

Posted in: friends, new york, travels

Comments

2 Responses to “NYC: Grand Central Terminal”

Janice
14th June 2011 @ 2:41 pm

Great photos! I can imagine I’m in Grand Central Station & NYC rather than the sweltering Midwest waiting for some much needed rain on the garden boxes! How’s your garden growing? Can’t wait for new pics!

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Sarah Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
If it stops raining long enough, I should go out there and take a few photos – the pumpkins have started producing flowers, so fingers crossed for some gourds!

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