Friday, October 3, 2025
Fairfield, Connecticut
In New York At Last! A Day Involving Happy Reunions, Yet Another Doctor’s Appointment and a Grand Dinner with East African Safari Friends.
Finally, after a whole week of being in the New York area, we were able to spend the day in New York City. Hard to believe that having once spent almost every day of our working lives in the USA in Manhattan, we had only scheduled one day for a visit to this most vibrant of cities and that too because we had our appointments with our ophthalmologist scheduled today.
On the Train to New York City:
Accordingly, we left at the crack of dawn as I had scheduled a coffee-morning meeting at 9.30 am with my former NYU colleagues. As the journey takes almost two hours from door to door, we woke up to the setting of our alarms, dressed quietly and were out of Swapna’s home before the household had quite surfaced.
We drove to Fairfield railway station really early as we were not fully familiar with the Day Parking arrangements there and wanted to be well in time to obtain the parking permit before we booked our train tickets and boarded the train, Fortunately, while I held the fort at the car, Llew went off to find the machine that would provide the parking permit. It was all rather seamless actually, and while I awaited his return, I gobbled up the one piece of pizza remaining from our dinner at Vazzy’s last night. Hence, while we did pick up decaff coffees at the little tea stall on the station, it was only Llew who bought a pain au chocolat while I chose to wait to eat more at my meeting with my colleagues.
It was really super fun and super nostalgic to make the train journey into the city. Autumn is definitely in the air at this point and the warm range of colors (reds, yellows, rusts, oranges) were already tinging the trees as we passed through the bucolic settlements of New Canaan and Darien and over the bodies of pretty water that grace the landscape between Connecticut and New York. I had my eyes glued to the window as I took in these sights and did not even realize the passage of time as the train pulled into Harlem across the East River. At Grand Central Station, I parted company with Llew as he went out to try and meet his former colleagues. I hurried towards the subway platform and there a huge drama awaited me.
Trying to Board the New York City Subway:
They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. Well, yes and no. While the Metro-North and subway lines coalesce at the magnificent Grand Central Station (that I had always felt so privileged to use during almost three decades that I lived in New York City), a lot had changed. Yes, in the one year since I had last been into Manhattan, the entire ticketing system had been overhauled. The old Metro-Card that I still carried so proudly in my wallet had been phased out and a new card (the OMNY—One Metro New York) has been introduced. As seniors, both Llew and I are now entitled to the new cards, but to make one, I had to spend at least 45 minutes at the booth where the assistants did not even seem to know what they were doing and irritation began to mount in the queue that formed behind me. Eventually, when it came to the point where I had to pay for my new card, it was discovered that since Llew uses the same credit card to pay for his commuter card, I could not use it too. I had not been carrying another credit card with me on this trip with which to pay and so the entire operation was aborted and I was back to Square One. No doubt, I would also be late for my meeting with my colleagues and I felt mortified. However, they did manage to provide me with a temporary Seniors card (not sure for how long it will be valid) which would also give me the Seniors’ discount. Such an irritating way to begin my day in Manhattan! Meanwhile, as I waited, I had the opportunity to take in the spiffy new changes that have been wrought to a station that was under renovation for at least the last three years of my life as a working commuter into Manhattan. Eventually, I did get on to the train using the new card (nothing has changed in the trains or on the stations) and hurried along the Manhattan streets to get to the venue where we were to meet.
Coffee Morning with my Former Dean and Professor Colleague:
When they got to know that I would be making a visit to NYU, some of my colleagues put the word out that a coffee morning meeting with me would enable a whole bunch of them to see me. However, being that it is a Friday and none of us teach today and do not even come to campus (unless it is for a meeting), it was doubtful I would meet many. Imagine my delight then when my former Dean Julie Mostov invited me for coffee to her apartment in the NYU Faculty Housing—a coffee morning that would also include my former colleague, Prof. Peter Valenti.
Well, I hurried up to the appointed place and apologized for my tardiness and explained the debacle regarding the Metro-Card (now OMNY card), of course they understood. We spent the next hour and a half over delicious nibbles and steaming hot peppermint tea as the two of them brought me up to snuff on the many goings-on at Liberal Studies where I had once taught. There was indeed much to talk about and discuss and my colleagues were very keen for me to continue to be involved although far away. As an Emerita Professor, there is every reason to keep me in the loop and I was happy to absorb everything.
But soon, it was time for me to leave. I realized when I tried to enter one of the NYU buildings that I have an ID card that expired, two years ago. The Security Officer told me to visit the NYU ID Office to have it renewed. Hence, as soon as I left Julie’s place, I made my way there and, within ten minutes, I was the proud recipient of a brand-new ID card which will now magically open all doors for me (at least at NYU!).
Using my new ID, I was then able to go back up to my office at 726 Broadway and, as expected, did not find too many people around. However, I was really delighted to see Billy Helton, a very old friend and administrative colleague who had always been exceptionally helpful to me, over the years that I had worked closely with him. We had a really wonderful visit of about 15 minutes before I had to say goodbye to him and return to my next appointment. With this done, I raced off to my next appointment for the day.
A Long-Pending Visit to the Frick Museum:
The Frick Museum is one of my favorite places in Manhattan and I was delighted to know that after being shut for a very lengthy period (owing to a complete overhaul of the premises), it had re-opened to the public. It was very difficult to get tickets (which are issued strictly by appointment on a timed basis), but I hoped that my Metropolitan Museum ID card would get Llew and me entry into it. Accordingly, we had made plans to meet at the main door of the Museum at 11.30 am and Llew happened to be there already when I arrived. And yes, there was a line snaking along the block, so I did feel a bit embarrassed to go up to the guard and present my credentials as a Docent at the Met (together with my ID card).
Llew and I were granted instant access to the main doors and within seconds we were inside, going through Security and then obtaining our (free) tickets to the venue. For the next hour and a half, we lost ourselves completely in the world of Henry Clay Frick and his monumental collection. Of course, both of us had seen this collection several times before, but one never tires of it. Going back to it repeatedly is like going to say Hullo to old friends. Yes, we were impressed by the newness of the spaces but the general curation of the art works (paintings, sculpture, decorative arts) remains the same. It is such a thrill to walk through the rooms and living spaces of the wealthy and privileged—it takes me back always to another, long-lost era. To be in the same vicinity as the art-loving, affluent New Yorkers of more than a century ago, is a unique experience. And then to dwell on the works themselves is always a deep joy. Yes, the place was mobbed—no doubt about that. But it did not detract from my pleasure in the works.
The best part of this visit for me, however, was the current special, temporary exhibition which is a collection of commissioned porcelain flowers by Ukrainian artist, Vladimir Kanevsky (born 1951) whose works, scattered throughout the rooms, were meant to evoke the floral ambience of the Museum when it first opened to the public in 1935. I have to tell you that I actually had to discreetly touch one of the first exhibits I saw as I simply could not tell whether or not they were real or man-made. What a shock I received when I found them to be made of clay! Last year, I had made a special visit to Boston to see the Glass Flower Gallery, permanently on display at the Harvard Peabody Museum of Natural History. There too I had been blown away by the craftsmanship of the artists, a Polish father-son team. And this year, I was here, viewing this incredible collection of porcelain flowers at the Frick. Truly, it blew my socks away. The flowers are life-size and in the exact colors of their real-life models. There were roses, peonies, lily or the valley, hydrangeas, etc. etc. etc., I mean every possible flower that you could think of was represented in this collection. I simply loved it. I have to say also that the flowers were beautifully arranged, strategically, among the sculptural works themselves. It enhanced the art works so amazingly. Indeed, it was really hard for me to tear myself away from the sculptures but, in the end, we had our eye on the clock and had to leave the Museum. We did manage to see it all but we could not linger. Next year, I think I will return—the crowds will have decreased and I shall allot more time to really admire this exhilarating space.
Lunch with Llew’s colleague at Milu:
Yes, we were in time to see Llew’s former colleague, Amy, at Park Ave South and 24th Street at a pan-Asian place called Milu. It was quite a nondescript place but the food turned out to be quite delicious. You choose a starch, a protein and a vegetable side from a large variety of items on the menu board—very casual. Amy was already there when we arrived and it was delightful to see her and reconnect with her as she is the sweetest person. We chose the crispy chicken over brown rice with broccoli and cauliflower and it was all very healthy and very good indeed. Of course, we chatted non-stop with lovely Amy who gave Llew a lot of news about former colleagues with whom they had both worked as well as about herself, her family members and her own current position. It was a lovey reunion and we enjoyed it thoroughly but then it was time for us to hurry along to our next appointment on the Upper East Side.
Yet Another Medical Appointment—with our Ophthalmologist:
Thank goodness for the NY Subway which got us very easily to our next port of call after we’d thanked Amy for insisting on treating us to lunch and for the really lovely time we’d spent in her company. Within a half hour, we were on the Upper East Side making our way to the basement clinic of our ophthalmologist, Dr. Daniel Rossberger, who is simply the best in his field.
Both Llew and I have been under his care—Llew much longer than me—and have great confidence in his expertise. Yes, we went through the paces of getting our eyes tested through the Reading board, then getting them dilated, the going through the scanners, etc. so that all the readings were taken for both of us. Finally, the doctor himself showed up and did an independent examination before he gave us his assessment of the state of our eyes. Both of us got a fairly clean bill of health and with no further action necessary (at least for the moment), he instructed us to make an appointment to see him next year. And with that, the last of our doctors’ appointments was done and we were free to enjoy the rest of our time in the New York Tristate area. But, for the immediate present, we had a dinner party to attend on Long Island.
Meeting our Friend John at Grand Central Station:
Our dinner party was on Long Island and since we were actually already in Manhattan, it made good sense of us to take the Long Island Rail Road from Grand Central Station itself to get to Syosset where our friends, Doreen and John, are based. It was to their home that we were invited for dinner. But since John happens to be working nearby, we decided to meet him at the station and ride on the train with him. This would give us personal and private time with him and also enable us to get a ride in his car, which was parked at Syosset station, to his home.
Accordingly, Llew and I walked past the hurrying Manhattan crowds at the end of a long work week and arrived at the newly-created LIRR Branch at Grand Central Station that eliminated the need for us to get to Penn Station to take our train. Both Llew and I were thoroughly impressed by the brilliant new maze of walkways and passages and tunnels that have been created along 42nd Street to enable commuters to get to New York from Grand Central Station. There are wide, beautifully lit walkways with clear signage and indications to provide directions. We saw the ticket kiosks and got our tickets--sadly, there are no seats or any place to enable weary commuters to rest—as they have been deliberately removed to discourage the homeless from occupying them. I did find a little quiet spot where I could sit down and in about ten minutes, John joined us.
The train ride to Long Island (my very first, I believe) was quite exciting as we passed by places like Jamaica which have changed enormously since I was familiar with the area more than thirty years ago. In many other respects, it was very similar to our ride into Connecticut on Metro-North trains. In about an hour, we were at Syosset and jumping into John’s car at the station, Within ten minutes then, we were at his home.
Dinner with the Bellomos:
Doreen was all set and ready to welcome us when we walked into her beautiful home after our long day in Manhattan. First of all, it was an absolute joy to see her after we had parted company at Nairobi airport at the end of our East African Safari in August. Her appetizers were set out already on the table and drinks were being fixed by John. Since we did not expect the rest to troop in for at least another hour or two, we savored the private time we had with them as we chatted about their forthcoming travels in India in November. Lauren, their daughter, also joined us and we had a lovely conversation together.
Soon, the rest of the party turned up—Ralph, his wife Lynne and daughter Sacha, following their long drive from Connecticut. For the rest of the evening, we had the best time as chatter flowed easily and we fully relaxed at the beginning of the weekend. When we adjourned to the dining table, we enjoyed Doreen’s vast spread that included Shrimp with Pilaf, Chicken, Pork, Brussels Sprouts and Tiramisu with ice-cream for dessert. Indeed, we feasted like kings and there was not a dull moment around the table as we fully enjoyed ourselves.
But, as all good things must come to an end, Ralph and family dropped us off to Fairfield Station (I must admit I dozed off a bit in the car on the long drive home) where we had parked own car and within fifteen minutes, we were finally home at Swapna’s ready to call it a night.
What an amazing day it had been! Certainly the most eventful since our arrival in the New York Tristate area. But we were knackered and it was with gratitude that we sank back in our beds and switched off the lights.
Until tomorrow, see ya’...
