October 3, 2023 • 38 mins
In Episode 49, Michael talks to Simon Gosney about New York City. We also reprise an earlier episode about the Big Apple.
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Learn more about how America's culture developed in Julian Bishop's High, Wide, and Handsome.
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Episode Transcript
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Michael Moran (00:16):
Welcome to Episode 49. of American Journey.
And this is a very specialedition, because obviously it's
high 40s ninth, but moreimportantly, Julian's away on
his holes in Europe. And he'sleft me in charge. I think that
was a lot of a dangerous move,but I'm enjoying the freedom
(00:41):
it's allowed me to have. Andwhat we're going to do for
Episode 49, is revisit what wedid in Episode Five, which was
talk about New York. Allah I'vegot alongside me today, my
special friend, special guest,Simon, God's neat fellow train
(01:02):
lover. And Simon's going to isan experienced visiting New
York. So he's going to talk toyou about the things as a first
time visitor, perhaps you shoulddo is going to talk about things
that are still on his bucketlist, as well of his favorite
locations or things to see anddo. So this is episode 49. And
(01:28):
over to Simon Gosney, Simon.
Okay, so I'm going to startwith, I'm delighted to say my
friend, Simon Ghazi is back withus. We were record Simon from a
previous episode, he and I sharethis flow of trains and Julian's
on holiday, so he can'tinterfere with what we're going
to say she's great. And Simonhas been to New York on many
(01:52):
occasions is recently visited orrelatively recent, and I thought
I'd get his take on what helikes about New York. Simon,
what do you like about New York?
Unknown (02:03):
Well, many things have to slip in a little bit of train
chat at some point about NewYork. So there are some things
to mention there. But some. WhatI love about it, I think, above
all, is that you can just haveso many different experiences
there. And just a city sort offull of iconic sites and amazing
(02:23):
diverse experiences.
Michael Moran (02:25):
Okay, so single out a few that sort of stand to
mine. I mean, bearing in mind,if you're a first time visitor,
what would you say you must do?
I'm only talking about trains. Inoticed in the previous time we
talked about it, we didn't talkabout Grand Central Station. And
sure my view is the most placeto go for anybody, just to see
the architecture.
Unknown (02:47):
I quite agree. I mean, that actually would be a
starting point. I think it's oneof the first places I did make a
beeline for when I first went toNew York, and I go every time I
go in into Grand Central everytime on there, and it's still
got a wow factor. However manytimes she you go in there,
whether or not you like trains,it's just an incredible
(03:08):
building. I mean, there are somany places that are world
famous in New York, I think oneof the places you could you
could show people have neverbeen to the US. So a whole
series of pictures of big iconicsites, and they would know
(03:28):
exactly where it was. And Ithink one of the things that
it's a kind of tip about NewYork, but also something to just
bear in mind, you know, youcould easily list a number of
those, you know, Madison SquareGarden, the Met Central Park,
Brooklyn Bridge, One World TradeCenter, you know, and so on. And
(03:50):
you could create a lot ofpressure for yourself to sort of
see as many of those when you goas possible. And if you do that,
you'll probably have quite anexhausting trip, because there's
just so much to see. And thatwas a mistake I made the first
time I went. But over over theyears, I've sort of thought
actually, maybe the way to dothis is just to focus on a few
(04:12):
areas that I want to go to a fewsites and sort of structure some
some time around that kind ofpart of New York. And I found
that that sort of just liberatedme a little bit to, to just
enjoy it and let the city sortof breathe rather than be this
sort of really overwhelming,intense experience when you're
just surrounded by iconic sitesall the time.
Michael Moran (04:34):
And one of the conclusions we had from the last
podcast on New York is reallygood news about New York is
there's always plenty for you togo and see that you you don't
believe you'll see everythingyou need to see in the first
visit because it's impossible.
And the great news is you alwaysleave thinking oh, I need to go
and do this because I haven'tdone that. And then using I
suppose I I like my invite youon the show with me is that so
(04:57):
was good to get other people'sperceptions. And they will tell
you something that you haven'tseen anything. Oh, that's
interesting. And we'll put yourmind this next time.
Unknown (05:07):
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I mean, everyone's got some new
york tips, and whether it's acoffee shop, or a bar or a
restaurant, or whatever. And Ithink you could definitely sort
of list off or the kind ofreally sort of a list of sites
to see. And that is, you know,obviously what you say, and many
people will sort of go multipletimes. And I think over time,
(05:30):
you will get a bit of time tosort of tick off a number of
those. But I think one of thethings I've learned about New
York over the years is thatthere's this sort of next level
down of things, that they'd befamous places or sort of sites,
but maybe not as famous as likethe Chrysler building or the
Empire State. And, and some ofthose are sort of really well
(05:52):
worth digging out as well. Andthey might have come from a
favorite film of yours, or analbum that you like, where
certain things have beenreferenced, or, and there's just
so many of those places. So oneof the last times I went there,
I wanted to go to, I think it'sWashington Square Gardens are
(06:13):
Washington Square Park, can'tremember the exact name of it.
But it's where David Bowielived. And he used to go and sit
there every every morning, hewas there, and it's apartments
that are right next to it, Ireally want to see that. And you
can sort of track down some ofthose sort of lower level sites
that may not be as big name andiconic as some of the famous
(06:34):
ones. But while we're seeing
Michael Moran (06:37):
your left, is it when was it Simon
Unknown (06:40):
saw seven April?
Michael Moran (06:43):
And what did you do then? Well, other than seeing
Washington Park where DavidBowie used to reside?
Unknown (06:50):
Well, I went to a show.
I mean, obviously, Broadway, Ithink would feature on a lot of
people's lists. Yeah, there's somuch to see there. And always,
you always guaranteed seeing agood show. I had a little train
journey out to a place where Idid a run. And that was the
people there just was sofriendly and welcoming. That was
so that was a lovely experienceand sort of just took me out out
(07:13):
of Manhattan a bit. And I spenta bit of time in Central Park as
well. It was beautiful weatherwhen I was there. And Central
Park is one of those places youcould just keep going back to
and see different foods everytime you go. And just a lovely
place to be, you know, realoasis in the center of
Manhattan. Really?
Michael Moran (07:36):
Yeah. And I agree with you, we we've done the
show. If I'm trying to think wedid one with the Broadway in the
title. Yeah, that's, that wasgood. Absolutely agree with it
Central Park, no matter how manytimes ago, I always tend to find
things I've not seen before. Inthe last podcast advocated a
(07:57):
really great view of of thepark, if you go to the top of
the mat, and go to the cafe,lovely view over the top of it
really nice. Yeah, that
Unknown (08:06):
is a great place to sit. And also speaking of views,
I mean, one of the one of thethings everyone sort of does, I
think when they go there is goto the top of the Empire State.
And I definitely would notdiscourage people from doing
that. It's a such a magicalexperience to do that. But the
better of you. I think if you'regoing to get a view across
(08:26):
Manhattan and up to CentralPark, it's going to the top of
the rock the Rockefeller Center,going there, it's sunset, just
as the sun is sort of comingdown to wow, I mean, it's such
an incredible view and you takegreat pictures up there. It's
wonderful. So definitelyrecommend that.
Michael Moran (08:47):
Okay, and Julian is a big food connoisseur and
likes going around particularareas to sample the food what
what do you what's yourexperience of eating food in New
York? And again, Whatrecommendations would you make?
Unknown (09:00):
Well, the key ones for me would be, it's a great place
to get brunch and breakfast, youcan find that really easily sort
of wherever you are. I mean,there's lots of little cafes,
dotted all the way roundManhattan. There's some great
places for food over inBrooklyn, just the other side of
the Brooklyn Bridge and somereally light what they've done
(09:23):
over there and beautiful sort ofrestaurants and cafes, great for
coffee, lots of good coffeeshops dotted around Manhattan,
and well worth going if you likeItalian food like I do. Little
Italy is worth a visit somelovely restaurants there. But
(09:43):
also in terms of pizza, youknow, you'll you'll find really
good sort of thin crust, NewYork, New York pizza, you know,
$1, a slice, just in lots oflittle like pizzerias and pizza
bars and so on. Just a can tossit around everywhere really. So
you're never short of good foodand you
Michael Moran (10:05):
know, like the sandwich shops and see them
making a sandwich. I think youcan make anything in the
sandwich always. Yeah. And itcomes with entertainment,
doesn't it? You know, he talksabout, well, he she talks about
what she's doing, and at thesame time normally pokes fun at
you being a tourist or whatever.
How do you can we get aboutSimon when you're in New York?
And again, I suspect a lot ofvisitors thing is a safe place
(10:25):
to go. What was what have youfound it?
Unknown (10:30):
Yes, I've always felt quite safe there. Actually, I
have made the mistake ofthinking I could sort of just
walk from like, Brooklyn up toTime Square. And you know, and
you can use absolutely fine todo it. But you'll certainly get
your step count in doing that.
And actually, there's far betterways to sort of get get around
(10:51):
that a bit easier on your feet.
So the subways really good. Uberand Lyft and ride shares, just
kind of everywhere there. Andtaxis. So I mean, you can
definitely do some of it on onfoot really easily. One of the
(11:12):
walks I really liked doing, Ialways sort of stay around new
Grand Central. And the firsttime I went actually after
lockdown. I was just so thrilledto be back in the US again. And
I just remember kind of walkingfrom Grand Central up to Central
(11:33):
Park and up to the net. And, youknow, fairly easy, easy walk.
But you're sort of ticking offall these amazing sites along
the way. Walking out FifthAvenue and you see like St.
Patrick's Cathedral and yeah,it's it's a special sort of,
there's a special number ofwalks like that around the city.
(11:55):
But I would say just don't Don'tbe over ambitious, you know, use
public transport to help withsome of that.
Michael Moran (12:03):
Yeah, I agree. I mean, the good news is a good
system makes it very easy tonavigate, doesn't it? But you're
right, and be prepared for lotsof stopping and stopping because
it's full of intersections andthe last one we're doing debate
about whether I would cyclethere and he was he said yes yes
I'm saying it says cyclists isnightmare because there's just
so many intersections and somany cars trying to run the
(12:24):
lights so I wouldn't do that theinteresting I would stay away
from cabs not because they'reunpleasant but it takes a long
time I would always either walkor get I'll get this the subway
and and once you get the hang ofthe subway in terms of where you
going and you understand thelines then it is really easy.
Unknown (12:43):
It is yeah, I completely agree it's a very
very sort of stop start place towalk in as well isn't it in
certain certain places
Michael Moran (12:52):
negative to the city you know conversation about
things you don't like about it.
Unknown (12:59):
And I think it can be intimidating in sensor it's very
easy to sort of like overwhelmyourself with things to do and
feeling like a sort of pressureto you know, see as much and do
as much there. There's so muchto do there I think you can sort
of take on a bit a bit too muchmaybe at times and I think one
(13:20):
of the ways I've learned to workwith that is I'll always allow
myself that a timer on theretoo. That's just not scheduled I
don't have anywhere to be Idon't have you got to be in this
place by this time and you knowand that allows you to just go
and explore places and you know,go to go and sit in the highline
or go to Central Park or go downto Battery Park or wherever. So,
(13:46):
I mean, I think that would bethat'd be one of them. I think
the journey from JFK into thecenter is a bit of a hassle I
think that can be a bit easierbut it's a small price to
Michael Moran (14:00):
pay full price to play for the bank. And it is
strange because I don't have asort of fast train into down
delay. So it's slow and that'swhy I don't like the anything
sort of more you'd sort of youknow, I mean, what's that still
on your bucket you say there'slots to do. Is is still on your
(14:20):
bucket list. You have not yetcrossed off Simon
Unknown (14:23):
I've not been to the Guggenheim not been inside the
goon I've been to it it's rightnear the Met. And the met some
incredible place I mean thiswhole places within the Met
gallery that have not gone intoyou know you can't you need
several visits to sort of dojustice to that. So yeah.
Michael Moran (14:44):
It's like it's like a time capsule isn't it is
there we know that all yourfloors, you will amaze what
collections are. It is like if avisitor amount of space game I
say go to the Met because infront of you is all human
civilization is special. museum.
Unknown (15:00):
It's incredible. And, you know, nomer, the Museum of
Modern Art was was on my bucketlist until April, but I managed
to tick that off and thatsimilarly sort of well worth
doing, yeah, spend a good fewhours in there. I'd like to go
back down to the Statue ofLiberty and Ellis Island. I've
(15:20):
never been to the town of Statueof Liberty, you can go up there.
But you've got to kind of bookin advance. And I always forget
to do that. So I've been to thebottom of it, which is great.
But yeah, love to go up insideit. And I'd love to go back to
Ellis Island again. I mean,that's an incredible place. I
(15:41):
mean, so my family back 100years ago, emigrated to America,
and I've seen their immigrationpapers, and they sort of arrived
at Ellis Island, and it's feelslike you've retracing some of
your own family history. And somany Americans have got family
members that, you know, camethrough our silence. So, yeah,
definitely love to go back thereagain and see that done
(16:03):
properly.
Michael Moran (16:04):
Okay. Museum isn't I agree absolutely. Like
you I am. I'm not being close tothe, to the Statue of Liberty. I
mean, again, I always say topeople, if you visit him first,
actually getting a boat triparound Manhattan is a really
good way, particularly go toearly evening into the evening,
(16:26):
you know, and get this sort ofclear view. And then the evening
viewed as a slice. It's veryimpressive and nice to see. It's
Unknown (16:33):
wonderful. Yeah, to be able to do that. And I mean,
another place that I've been to,but I'd like to go to in the
summer is Coney Island's. Whichis a sort of slightly faded
funfair type place. I mean,you've seen it in films, or
you're peeking out, you know,you definitely we've seen it in
films and TV shows. But yeah,I'd love I went the sort of
(16:55):
slightly off seasons, there'snothing much going on there. But
I'd like to go when there's abit more life there and actually
probably see some of that,again,
Michael Moran (17:03):
is one of the problems there's so much to do.
Taking time to take tripsoutside of Manhattan, almost. I
mean, after example, I've stillnot been see baseball in New
York, and I don't always seebaseball and go to the States.
And you know, it's but it's atrip. You know, like, why is
this going on Staten IslandFerry? Because there's always
(17:24):
just so much to do. And you'rethinking limited amount of time.
How do you spend it most?
productively, I suppose, but
Unknown (17:32):
yeah, definitely. And you mentioned about roaster
Island as well. It's sounds likequite a place to see
Michael Moran (17:39):
a dip. Not if the cable car going onto the island.
Actually mean Jannati basis.
It's because it's an island.
It's very different vibe andfeel to the rest of New York. So
it's actually is like suburbia,and it was built on quite late.
So a lot of people live on theisland, as he's now much easier
(18:02):
to get on and off than it wasonce but so doesn't really feel
like New York. But again, itlooks fantastic views of New
York when you're going back onthe on the cable car in the
evening.
Unknown (18:12):
Sounds a must definitely.
Michael Moran (18:15):
Okay. Well, as always, Simon, thank you very
much for your time. As alllisteners, you know, hopefully
found it interesting. We arereprising the New York,
definitely on a 60 view, JulianI scored it five out of five.
Simon give as a guest How wouldyou score out of five and
(18:36):
Julian's very, you have to havefollowed by I tried to cheat the
secretary of dentalPremiership's points. How would
you how would you score NewYork?
Unknown (18:44):
The first time I went, I would have probably scored it
at three. But the more timesI've gone, it's definitely a
five. I love it there now. Soyeah, unqualified five.
Michael Moran (18:55):
And on that, I will say thank you so much
Gosney.
Julian, now you're well, secondweek in New York.
Julian Bishop (19:15):
Yes, I'm in New York City this month. I've been
here 10 times or so. And Iwanted to get to know it better,
which is why we've come here fora month. What do you like about
it? Well, let me ask you thatquestion. Start off with with
your viewer and I assume you'vebeen to New York City multiple
times before?
Michael Moran (19:33):
Yeah, yeah. on business and on pleasure. So let
me I suppose I'm still always,always taken aback by the
skyline. And the fact that sortof when you're walking around,
you know where you are becauseof the grid system. Typically,
when I say New York, I've beenon the island and I've been on
(19:54):
Manhattan. So I like that. It'svibrant. It's very diverse. Um,
you've not asked me but I'lltell you why. My favorite thing
on New Yorkers, which is theMetropolitan Museum of Art, and
indeed I love, they go into thetop of the building. There's a
cafe there and you can look overCentral Park. I also like
(20:16):
Central Park. I always think theMetropole is just like a time
capsule. There you go around itand you sort of you almost can
see most all of mankindcivilization through the ages. I
say it's like a time capsule,see various things. Love it.
Julian Bishop (20:32):
Yes. And all of those things arise. And I guess
just picking up on something yousaid, when you say the skyline,
it actually it's multipleSkylines, isn't it? There's the
skyline of downtown, there's theskyline of midtown, there's the
skyline of Brooklyn and ofJersey City, actually, there are
multiple Skylines all with theirown separate but appealing
(20:53):
views.
Michael Moran (20:54):
Yeah, but I'm, I'm, I'm one of these people
that when I go to cities, I liketo go up high. And either
whether they're involved inrestaurants or have a look. So
again, one of my personalhighlights is walking over the
Brooklyn Bridge, on a beautifulFebruary morning, crystal clear,
very frosty in the butt.
absolutely magnificent viewsover the river.
Julian Bishop (21:14):
Yes, I've done a little bit of that since I've
been here. In certainly you mustshare that affliction with your
wife. When I met her once in NewYork, I met her in a bar, which
was overlooking Times Square. Sowe were very high up in one of
those bars with a magnificentview of overtime square. And you
can imagine what she had todrink. It could
Michael Moran (21:35):
have been champagne, could it? I think, I
think I've trained it wellaround this thing of going
applied buildings, which shedoesn't like going to answer. So
if you go up the New York State,she's not keen to go outside of
New York State.
Julian Bishop (21:49):
You mean me?
Michael Moran (21:50):
Yes, of course, me.
Julian Bishop (21:51):
I haven't done any tourist things this time.
Well, I did one tourist thing.
Most of the time, I have beendoing non tourist things. And
what I've been doing is pickingactually on something you said
that you liked the diversity inNew York. And I think that that
is its major feature, you know,so to me, the variety of
different neighborhoods that youget in New York, what causes the
(22:12):
vibrancy, I've been to theRussian neighborhood of Brighton
Beach, where everything is inRussian, everyone speaks
Russian. And most of the foodis, is Russian. I've been to the
Dominican areas of inward Parkand Washington Heights been to
the black areas of Harlem andparts of the Bronx, have been to
(22:34):
the Italian areas of ArthurAvenue in the Bronx, and some of
the Jewish areas in Brooklyn aswell. Some of these areas are
like visiting another country,but without leaving your city.
They are so different. They areso non American. And I think it
is this diversity, which causesthe huge variety in the arts
(22:56):
world and in the food in NewYork City to the sort of main
things which I think set NewYork apart from any other city
in the world. I lovecontemporary arts that met isn't
really my cup of tea becauseit's more traditional art. I you
know, I love the installationsand contemporary art that, you
know, some of these communitiesbring through their diversity. I
(23:20):
think New York also has the moretraditional art galleries as
well, you know, the Mets MoMA,Guggenheim, and so forth. Okay,
well, so. And food I think isjust terrific. In New York. I
think it's a little bit likeHong Kong. You know, in Hong
Kong, there are so manyrestaurants, because people have
such small apartments, so theytend to go out for meals every
(23:41):
day. New York is like that aswell. And so there are a lot of
very small, excellentrestaurants, non chain
restaurants here, you know,representing, you know, the food
of all of the differentnationalities that have come to
New York, even post COVID Mostof those restaurants are still
open. I mean, many of themsuddenly have closed, but
(24:03):
there's still a huge variety ofdifferent foods that you can eat
and and all of these restaurantshave to be good. If New Yorkers
don't go to them because thequality is not good. Then they
will close. So the quality ishigh, pretty much wherever you
go in New York, other than themost touristy areas.
Michael Moran (24:24):
So just going back to something I was going to
mention. My last visit was thehighlight. Walk in highlight.
Really enjoy
Julian Bishop (24:32):
Yes, we actually we did that yesterday.
Michael Moran (24:35):
That's interesting. You Julius
Julian Bishop (24:39):
it is a tourist thing. We had just done another
tourist thing as well, which waswe had done a walking tour.
Well, a walking tour of the foodin Greenwich Village. And we've
eaten you know so many pizzasand and various different forms
of food in Greenwich Villagethat we needed to walk that off.
So we were fairly close toHighline. So we went for a walk
(25:01):
along the High Line. Yeah, it isquite a tourist thing. Perhaps
you could explain to ourlisteners what the High Line is
then Well,
Michael Moran (25:10):
hopefully listeners will know I've got a
fascination with trains. So he,it was a train line built from
the docks. Now where does itend? And was basically work for
meat packing wasn't moving themeat from the dogs into the
factories.
Julian Bishop (25:26):
Yeah, that's right. It goes through the
Meatpacking District. Actually,I think we finally found a good
use for the train, convert allthe tracks into a nice walking
paths. That sounds sir. Soundsgood to me.
Michael Moran (25:39):
Well, and in the UK, we do that a lot, don't we?
I mean, post beaching, we've gotlots of really good trails,
which used to be well attract.
So yeah, I mean, I think theuniqueness that is is the
height, isn't it, they sort ofgoing back to my theme of I like
seeing cities from above. TheHighline does give you stats.
And the downside of New York is,obviously, it's very busy.
(26:00):
There's lots of roads, you'reconstantly stopping waiting for
the traffic lights to change.
Whereas the highline takes thataway, you just literally walk
above the traffic,
Julian Bishop (26:10):
as you say, fantastic views of all of the
districts, but believe that youcan watch the world's going buy
from a height. So that is anexcellent thing to do. One thing
that they have added since youwere last here, you know, since
COVID, was they've got thisthing called little islands. So
they've created an artificialisland in the Hudson, just off
(26:32):
the Highline. And you can gothere and have a picnic and so
forth. It looks magnificent,
Michael Moran (26:37):
okay. And when you say it's an artificial
island was made of,
Julian Bishop (26:41):
well, I haven't been able to go to it yet.
Because of COVID. You've got tobook a slot. We were thinking
about going to eat yesterday,but then the weather wasn't
reliable enough for a picnic. Iwill go next week, and I will
let you know from the few 100yards that I was from it. Okay,
I would say that they havereused lots of other materials
(27:02):
to create this island. And thenthey've just liked they have
done on on the High Line. TheHigh Line is, is also a lot more
full of plants and flora than itwas last time I went on it. And
I think that's what they'redoing with little island as
well. Okay.
Michael Moran (27:16):
And I'm sorry, I'm not gonna be very good at
telling you exactly what it is.
But have you done also the cablecar to the island?
Julian Bishop (27:23):
Yeah, so the island you're talking about is
Roosevelt Island. And actually,this time was the first time
I've been to it. It used to be akind of deserted island, it
wasn't people weren't able tolive on it. And then from about
the 1970s onwards, they startedto put some accommodation on
there. And then over the lastfew years, they've moved the
(27:44):
Technical School of Cornell, theuniversity onto the onto the
island. It used to be that youcould only get to the islands
via a cable car. But morerecently, they've added a subway
stop. So you can get to it bysubway by ferry by cable car.
And I think also by road, Ithink there's a bridge which
(28:05):
goes into Queen Su. So yeah, wewent there for the first time
and we had a walk around theisland. It's actually a
fantastic view of the city, orat least Midtown, but very quiet
very unlike the rest of New Yorkunit. Even though it's only a
few 100 yards away from from NewYork City, you get this sort of
feeling of tranquility, I canunderstand why people might
(28:29):
choose to live there, although Ijust doesn't have the depth of
restaurants and shops and barsthat New York City does. But
this
Michael Moran (28:36):
is very interesting place. Given it's in
the middle of a city and yet yousuddenly feel like you're in
suburbia, don't you?
Julian Bishop (28:43):
This is exactly my comment. Yeah, really. To
Lauren, I felt that I was insuburbia. It really is just a
one stop ride. And then you'rein New York City.
Michael Moran (28:52):
But again, if you like like me, seeing CDs behind
the Cable Guy is the way to doit. It's fantastic piece of
engineering.
Julian Bishop (28:59):
Yeah. And the cable car is just part of your
Metro pass. So if you buy yoursubway pass, then that's just
one of the journeys that youwill use. Okay, so that's New
York. Yeah, I think there are afew negatives of New York, would
you say?
Michael Moran (29:14):
Famously, how do I say, New York taxi drivers,
they are a mixed bunch ofpeople, you get the good, the
bad and the ugly. You gotta beable to trade abuse. I suspect
with New York traffic drivers,they they've always got a story
to tell.
Julian Bishop (29:30):
I've not taken a taxi. So I can't tell you one
thing I have noticed and maybethis is COVID thing, maybe it's
an Uber thing. But I've noticedthat they are not very common on
the streets. It used to be whenyou went there that taxis were
the only vehicles that you sawin the streets. And now, I think
(29:50):
because New York is a lot saferthan it used to be. New York
doesn't even come in and the top100 most dangerous cities in the
US in terms of crime per person.
And I think a lot more peoplejust use the public transport
system than they used to.
Michael Moran (30:05):
Okay, so yeah, I was gonna say my very first time
I went, I was running late forthe plane going back to the UK
on a Friday night flying out andthe taxi man, I used to stay, I
have no idea what route he took.
But I do recall going on customslawn, as we were weaving in and
out of traffic. So that reallygreatly impressed me to how he
(30:26):
managed to get me to theairport. And he clearly knew all
about ways and including goingover people's lawns, which I was
very impressed with. That wasgood.
Julian Bishop (30:35):
You're going to watch JFK was
Michael Moran (30:37):
the first thing, I suppose the downside which I
think's improved, which was thepollution. I mean, it was not,
it was not a clean city when Ifirst went there at all.
Julian Bishop (30:48):
Unlike most cities, what New York has done
is it's cleaned all of hisbuildings, or almost all of his
buildings, there's the odd one,it hasn't cleaned. And you can
really see how horrible thepollution used to be. It's a
clean city, I think it's not agreat city for dogs. My dogs
haven't particularly enjoy thecity there. You know, there are
a few dog parks, but you can'ttake dogs on to public
(31:11):
transport. They've beenconstrained to near where we're
staying in is quite expensive.
It certainly is expensive termsof accommodation is expensive to
live as well. And for those wholive in New York City, the tax
rates are incredibly high.
Michael Moran (31:27):
And again, back to transport. I don't think I'd
want to cycle in New York,unlike a lot of cities, which
clearly are today, moving tocycles, you know, I mean,
famously Amsterdam, but mostcities now have some sort of no
pickup drop off bikingarrangement. But I suspect it's
not the New York has as well, Idon't think I would do it in New
York. You know, it's it's roadjunction after road junction and
(31:50):
the nature of traffic is thatpeople tend to still shoot the
lights. So I suspect it's thecyclists, it can be quite
dangerous.
Julian Bishop (31:58):
Michael, I have been enjoying cycling in New
York City, it's very easy torent a bike here as it is in
most, most cities around theworld. Every street has a cycle
lane. And to be honest, the carsdo not go very fast on the
streets here. So I would sayit's a pretty safe city to drive
(32:18):
on. And also, it's a fairly easycity to navigate for the reasons
you set out earlier. And nowit's on a grid system and then
north of house in St. It's, it'sreally very logical as to where
everything is.
Michael Moran (32:32):
Okay. And do you also have scooters as well?
There are both
Julian Bishop (32:37):
electric scooters and electric bikes. So there's a
huge army of food deliverypeople, most of whom seem to
have electric bikes. And thenthere are these sort of man,
people on scooters who goextremely fast on their scooters
down the streets and avenueshere that I wouldn't take in New
(32:58):
York City. How would you reachNew York City that Michael?
Well, you
Michael Moran (33:01):
definitely need to go. So you know, if you're
going to the States, and you'venot been to New York, absolutely
have to go a little bit like wesaid, Vegas glass of our last
episode, so you definitely haveto go. I think I'm gonna give me
a five out of five because Ithink if you know, every time I
go in, I've probably been nowabout six or seven times, I can
always find things that haven'tseen or haven't done that I want
(33:22):
to do. And he disappoints I LikeYou I like the people you tend
to meet very friendly people arethere we're going to talk about
sort of, you know, thedifference between us and but in
the main gate to left in, in theStates, somebody will engage in
a conversation. And thatnormally leads to an interesting
conversation around wherethey're from, or what they've
(33:44):
seen. They're normally asked meDo I know somebody in England,
and in the name of Smith, youknow, you know that quite
easily.
Julian Bishop (33:51):
It certainly used to be when I first started
visiting New York, which wouldhave been in the late 80s, early
90s, New York had a reputationfor being rude, and that people
had a reputation for beingimpatient. And I don't really
think that's true anymore. Ithink there's a lot more
kindness in the city than thereused to be. Some people believe
it's connected with the 911atrocities. Others think it's
(34:15):
just a new generation of peoplecoming through and deciding to
behave differently. I thinkthere is there are a lot of
signs of people being very kind.
For example, one of the thingsI've noticed this time, haven't
noticed it in my previousvisits, is the huge amounts of
foods that people leave out forhomeless people. If you go to
any wall or something, therewill be some food, which has
(34:36):
been left out purchased and thenleft out for people who who need
the food. It shows a degree ofkindness at least from a
minority of the residents of NewYork City. And I too would give
New York City a five star Ithink it is a must go to if you
haven't been go and there'salways more stuff to find. I've
(34:56):
been here three weeks and haddone anything touristy? Really,
most of the things that be nontouristy, and there's just so
many things to do here,
Michael Moran (35:06):
although it need to create you again, you've done
the highlight. That's verytouristy, Julian.
Julian Bishop (35:12):
Well, I have done I did go to Ellis Island as
well. That's great. So rusty,but as it was something I had
not done before.
Michael Moran (35:18):
Did you enjoy that? Yeah, I
Julian Bishop (35:20):
was fantastic.
Oh, it's a really, really goodMuseum, I would recommend that
you've got to book in advancethe ferry ticket to get out
there. The exhibits they have onEllis Island, in a really do
show the story of America. So Iwould heartily recommend that to
everyone. When you're here,there's so much to do, you
probably should have a mix oftouristy and non touristy
(35:40):
things. I think if you were justgoing from tourist thing to
tourist thing, it might seemlike many other cities. But if
you have a mix, then I thinkthat will be something that
would enrich your experiencehere. So we're both saying five
star recommends
Michael Moran (35:57):
become a bit and I've always left thinking I
still need to do such and such.
So absolutely, definitely wortha visit. Well, that concludes
episode 49 of an AmericanJourney. I do hope you enjoyed
our revisit New York. Obviously,I need to thank Simon gozney for
his excellent contribution. Ishould have said an introduction
(36:22):
that Simon had good reason to goto Ellis Island because some of
his ancestors had gone to thestates and emigrate to the
states and pass through EllisIsland. It is a super Museum.
Definitely one not to miss. So Ihope you found the session. Both
(36:45):
helpful informative, as well asenjoyable Of course. We will be
back at this time with Julianfor episode 50 A landmark
episode. I'm just back fromtraveling to the states. Having
taken the grandkids to Disneyand universal so you during an
(37:08):
hour decided we'll revisit theparks. We also went to St Pete's
beach just before the badweather hit so I think we'll try
and build something into thestates and extreme weather. But
until then, I have to say it'sgood not goodbye for me and it's
also goodbye from me goodbye.
Unknown (37:54):
Lazy
Welcome to Episode 49. of American Journey.
And this is a very specialedition, because obviously it's
high 40s ninth, but moreimportantly, Julian's away on
his holes in Europe. And he'sleft me in charge. I think that
was a lot of a dangerous move,but I'm enjoying the freedom
(00:41):
it's allowed me to have. Andwhat we're going to do for
Episode 49, is revisit what wedid in Episode Five, which was
talk about New York. Allah I'vegot alongside me today, my
special friend, special guest,Simon, God's neat fellow train
(01:02):
lover. And Simon's going to isan experienced visiting New
York. So he's going to talk toyou about the things as a first
time visitor, perhaps you shoulddo is going to talk about things
that are still on his bucketlist, as well of his favorite
locations or things to see anddo. So this is episode 49. And
(01:28):
over to Simon Gosney, Simon.
Okay, so I'm going to startwith, I'm delighted to say my
friend, Simon Ghazi is back withus. We were record Simon from a
previous episode, he and I sharethis flow of trains and Julian's
on holiday, so he can'tinterfere with what we're going
to say she's great. And Simonhas been to New York on many
(01:52):
occasions is recently visited orrelatively recent, and I thought
I'd get his take on what helikes about New York. Simon,
what do you like about New York?
Unknown (02:03):
Well, many things have to slip in a little bit of train
chat at some point about NewYork. So there are some things
to mention there. But some. WhatI love about it, I think, above
all, is that you can just haveso many different experiences
there. And just a city sort offull of iconic sites and amazing
(02:23):
diverse experiences.
Michael Moran (02:25):
Okay, so single out a few that sort of stand to
mine. I mean, bearing in mind,if you're a first time visitor,
what would you say you must do?
I'm only talking about trains. Inoticed in the previous time we
talked about it, we didn't talkabout Grand Central Station. And
sure my view is the most placeto go for anybody, just to see
the architecture.
Unknown (02:47):
I quite agree. I mean, that actually would be a
starting point. I think it's oneof the first places I did make a
beeline for when I first went toNew York, and I go every time I
go in into Grand Central everytime on there, and it's still
got a wow factor. However manytimes she you go in there,
whether or not you like trains,it's just an incredible
(03:08):
building. I mean, there are somany places that are world
famous in New York, I think oneof the places you could you
could show people have neverbeen to the US. So a whole
series of pictures of big iconicsites, and they would know
(03:28):
exactly where it was. And Ithink one of the things that
it's a kind of tip about NewYork, but also something to just
bear in mind, you know, youcould easily list a number of
those, you know, Madison SquareGarden, the Met Central Park,
Brooklyn Bridge, One World TradeCenter, you know, and so on. And
(03:50):
you could create a lot ofpressure for yourself to sort of
see as many of those when you goas possible. And if you do that,
you'll probably have quite anexhausting trip, because there's
just so much to see. And thatwas a mistake I made the first
time I went. But over over theyears, I've sort of thought
actually, maybe the way to dothis is just to focus on a few
(04:12):
areas that I want to go to a fewsites and sort of structure some
some time around that kind ofpart of New York. And I found
that that sort of just liberatedme a little bit to, to just
enjoy it and let the city sortof breathe rather than be this
sort of really overwhelming,intense experience when you're
just surrounded by iconic sitesall the time.
Michael Moran (04:34):
And one of the conclusions we had from the last
podcast on New York is reallygood news about New York is
there's always plenty for you togo and see that you you don't
believe you'll see everythingyou need to see in the first
visit because it's impossible.
And the great news is you alwaysleave thinking oh, I need to go
and do this because I haven'tdone that. And then using I
suppose I I like my invite youon the show with me is that so
(04:57):
was good to get other people'sperceptions. And they will tell
you something that you haven'tseen anything. Oh, that's
interesting. And we'll put yourmind this next time.
Unknown (05:07):
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I mean, everyone's got some new
york tips, and whether it's acoffee shop, or a bar or a
restaurant, or whatever. And Ithink you could definitely sort
of list off or the kind ofreally sort of a list of sites
to see. And that is, you know,obviously what you say, and many
people will sort of go multipletimes. And I think over time,
(05:30):
you will get a bit of time tosort of tick off a number of
those. But I think one of thethings I've learned about New
York over the years is thatthere's this sort of next level
down of things, that they'd befamous places or sort of sites,
but maybe not as famous as likethe Chrysler building or the
Empire State. And, and some ofthose are sort of really well
(05:52):
worth digging out as well. Andthey might have come from a
favorite film of yours, or analbum that you like, where
certain things have beenreferenced, or, and there's just
so many of those places. So oneof the last times I went there,
I wanted to go to, I think it'sWashington Square Gardens are
(06:13):
Washington Square Park, can'tremember the exact name of it.
But it's where David Bowielived. And he used to go and sit
there every every morning, hewas there, and it's apartments
that are right next to it, Ireally want to see that. And you
can sort of track down some ofthose sort of lower level sites
that may not be as big name andiconic as some of the famous
(06:34):
ones. But while we're seeing
Michael Moran (06:37):
your left, is it when was it Simon
Unknown (06:40):
saw seven April?
Michael Moran (06:43):
And what did you do then? Well, other than seeing
Washington Park where DavidBowie used to reside?
Unknown (06:50):
Well, I went to a show.
I mean, obviously, Broadway, Ithink would feature on a lot of
people's lists. Yeah, there's somuch to see there. And always,
you always guaranteed seeing agood show. I had a little train
journey out to a place where Idid a run. And that was the
people there just was sofriendly and welcoming. That was
so that was a lovely experienceand sort of just took me out out
(07:13):
of Manhattan a bit. And I spenta bit of time in Central Park as
well. It was beautiful weatherwhen I was there. And Central
Park is one of those places youcould just keep going back to
and see different foods everytime you go. And just a lovely
place to be, you know, realoasis in the center of
Manhattan. Really?
Michael Moran (07:36):
Yeah. And I agree with you, we we've done the
show. If I'm trying to think wedid one with the Broadway in the
title. Yeah, that's, that wasgood. Absolutely agree with it
Central Park, no matter how manytimes ago, I always tend to find
things I've not seen before. Inthe last podcast advocated a
(07:57):
really great view of of thepark, if you go to the top of
the mat, and go to the cafe,lovely view over the top of it
really nice. Yeah, that
Unknown (08:06):
is a great place to sit. And also speaking of views,
I mean, one of the one of thethings everyone sort of does, I
think when they go there is goto the top of the Empire State.
And I definitely would notdiscourage people from doing
that. It's a such a magicalexperience to do that. But the
better of you. I think if you'regoing to get a view across
(08:26):
Manhattan and up to CentralPark, it's going to the top of
the rock the Rockefeller Center,going there, it's sunset, just
as the sun is sort of comingdown to wow, I mean, it's such
an incredible view and you takegreat pictures up there. It's
wonderful. So definitelyrecommend that.
Michael Moran (08:47):
Okay, and Julian is a big food connoisseur and
likes going around particularareas to sample the food what
what do you what's yourexperience of eating food in New
York? And again, Whatrecommendations would you make?
Unknown (09:00):
Well, the key ones for me would be, it's a great place
to get brunch and breakfast, youcan find that really easily sort
of wherever you are. I mean,there's lots of little cafes,
dotted all the way roundManhattan. There's some great
places for food over inBrooklyn, just the other side of
the Brooklyn Bridge and somereally light what they've done
(09:23):
over there and beautiful sort ofrestaurants and cafes, great for
coffee, lots of good coffeeshops dotted around Manhattan,
and well worth going if you likeItalian food like I do. Little
Italy is worth a visit somelovely restaurants there. But
(09:43):
also in terms of pizza, youknow, you'll you'll find really
good sort of thin crust, NewYork, New York pizza, you know,
$1, a slice, just in lots oflittle like pizzerias and pizza
bars and so on. Just a can tossit around everywhere really. So
you're never short of good foodand you
Michael Moran (10:05):
know, like the sandwich shops and see them
making a sandwich. I think youcan make anything in the
sandwich always. Yeah. And itcomes with entertainment,
doesn't it? You know, he talksabout, well, he she talks about
what she's doing, and at thesame time normally pokes fun at
you being a tourist or whatever.
How do you can we get aboutSimon when you're in New York?
And again, I suspect a lot ofvisitors thing is a safe place
(10:25):
to go. What was what have youfound it?
Unknown (10:30):
Yes, I've always felt quite safe there. Actually, I
have made the mistake ofthinking I could sort of just
walk from like, Brooklyn up toTime Square. And you know, and
you can use absolutely fine todo it. But you'll certainly get
your step count in doing that.
And actually, there's far betterways to sort of get get around
(10:51):
that a bit easier on your feet.
So the subways really good. Uberand Lyft and ride shares, just
kind of everywhere there. Andtaxis. So I mean, you can
definitely do some of it on onfoot really easily. One of the
(11:12):
walks I really liked doing, Ialways sort of stay around new
Grand Central. And the firsttime I went actually after
lockdown. I was just so thrilledto be back in the US again. And
I just remember kind of walkingfrom Grand Central up to Central
(11:33):
Park and up to the net. And, youknow, fairly easy, easy walk.
But you're sort of ticking offall these amazing sites along
the way. Walking out FifthAvenue and you see like St.
Patrick's Cathedral and yeah,it's it's a special sort of,
there's a special number ofwalks like that around the city.
(11:55):
But I would say just don't Don'tbe over ambitious, you know, use
public transport to help withsome of that.
Michael Moran (12:03):
Yeah, I agree. I mean, the good news is a good
system makes it very easy tonavigate, doesn't it? But you're
right, and be prepared for lotsof stopping and stopping because
it's full of intersections andthe last one we're doing debate
about whether I would cyclethere and he was he said yes yes
I'm saying it says cyclists isnightmare because there's just
so many intersections and somany cars trying to run the
(12:24):
lights so I wouldn't do that theinteresting I would stay away
from cabs not because they'reunpleasant but it takes a long
time I would always either walkor get I'll get this the subway
and and once you get the hang ofthe subway in terms of where you
going and you understand thelines then it is really easy.
Unknown (12:43):
It is yeah, I completely agree it's a very
very sort of stop start place towalk in as well isn't it in
certain certain places
Michael Moran (12:52):
negative to the city you know conversation about
things you don't like about it.
Unknown (12:59):
And I think it can be intimidating in sensor it's very
easy to sort of like overwhelmyourself with things to do and
feeling like a sort of pressureto you know, see as much and do
as much there. There's so muchto do there I think you can sort
of take on a bit a bit too muchmaybe at times and I think one
(13:20):
of the ways I've learned to workwith that is I'll always allow
myself that a timer on theretoo. That's just not scheduled I
don't have anywhere to be Idon't have you got to be in this
place by this time and you knowand that allows you to just go
and explore places and you know,go to go and sit in the highline
or go to Central Park or go downto Battery Park or wherever. So,
(13:46):
I mean, I think that would bethat'd be one of them. I think
the journey from JFK into thecenter is a bit of a hassle I
think that can be a bit easierbut it's a small price to
Michael Moran (14:00):
pay full price to play for the bank. And it is
strange because I don't have asort of fast train into down
delay. So it's slow and that'swhy I don't like the anything
sort of more you'd sort of youknow, I mean, what's that still
on your bucket you say there'slots to do. Is is still on your
(14:20):
bucket list. You have not yetcrossed off Simon
Unknown (14:23):
I've not been to the Guggenheim not been inside the
goon I've been to it it's rightnear the Met. And the met some
incredible place I mean thiswhole places within the Met
gallery that have not gone intoyou know you can't you need
several visits to sort of dojustice to that. So yeah.
Michael Moran (14:44):
It's like it's like a time capsule isn't it is
there we know that all yourfloors, you will amaze what
collections are. It is like if avisitor amount of space game I
say go to the Met because infront of you is all human
civilization is special. museum.
Unknown (15:00):
It's incredible. And, you know, nomer, the Museum of
Modern Art was was on my bucketlist until April, but I managed
to tick that off and thatsimilarly sort of well worth
doing, yeah, spend a good fewhours in there. I'd like to go
back down to the Statue ofLiberty and Ellis Island. I've
(15:20):
never been to the town of Statueof Liberty, you can go up there.
But you've got to kind of bookin advance. And I always forget
to do that. So I've been to thebottom of it, which is great.
But yeah, love to go up insideit. And I'd love to go back to
Ellis Island again. I mean,that's an incredible place. I
(15:41):
mean, so my family back 100years ago, emigrated to America,
and I've seen their immigrationpapers, and they sort of arrived
at Ellis Island, and it's feelslike you've retracing some of
your own family history. And somany Americans have got family
members that, you know, camethrough our silence. So, yeah,
definitely love to go back thereagain and see that done
(16:03):
properly.
Michael Moran (16:04):
Okay. Museum isn't I agree absolutely. Like
you I am. I'm not being close tothe, to the Statue of Liberty. I
mean, again, I always say topeople, if you visit him first,
actually getting a boat triparound Manhattan is a really
good way, particularly go toearly evening into the evening,
(16:26):
you know, and get this sort ofclear view. And then the evening
viewed as a slice. It's veryimpressive and nice to see. It's
Unknown (16:33):
wonderful. Yeah, to be able to do that. And I mean,
another place that I've been to,but I'd like to go to in the
summer is Coney Island's. Whichis a sort of slightly faded
funfair type place. I mean,you've seen it in films, or
you're peeking out, you know,you definitely we've seen it in
films and TV shows. But yeah,I'd love I went the sort of
(16:55):
slightly off seasons, there'snothing much going on there. But
I'd like to go when there's abit more life there and actually
probably see some of that,again,
Michael Moran (17:03):
is one of the problems there's so much to do.
Taking time to take tripsoutside of Manhattan, almost. I
mean, after example, I've stillnot been see baseball in New
York, and I don't always seebaseball and go to the States.
And you know, it's but it's atrip. You know, like, why is
this going on Staten IslandFerry? Because there's always
(17:24):
just so much to do. And you'rethinking limited amount of time.
How do you spend it most?
productively, I suppose, but
Unknown (17:32):
yeah, definitely. And you mentioned about roaster
Island as well. It's sounds likequite a place to see
Michael Moran (17:39):
a dip. Not if the cable car going onto the island.
Actually mean Jannati basis.
It's because it's an island.
It's very different vibe andfeel to the rest of New York. So
it's actually is like suburbia,and it was built on quite late.
So a lot of people live on theisland, as he's now much easier
(18:02):
to get on and off than it wasonce but so doesn't really feel
like New York. But again, itlooks fantastic views of New
York when you're going back onthe on the cable car in the
evening.
Unknown (18:12):
Sounds a must definitely.
Michael Moran (18:15):
Okay. Well, as always, Simon, thank you very
much for your time. As alllisteners, you know, hopefully
found it interesting. We arereprising the New York,
definitely on a 60 view, JulianI scored it five out of five.
Simon give as a guest How wouldyou score out of five and
(18:36):
Julian's very, you have to havefollowed by I tried to cheat the
secretary of dentalPremiership's points. How would
you how would you score NewYork?
Unknown (18:44):
The first time I went, I would have probably scored it
at three. But the more timesI've gone, it's definitely a
five. I love it there now. Soyeah, unqualified five.
Michael Moran (18:55):
And on that, I will say thank you so much
Gosney.
Julian, now you're well, secondweek in New York.
Julian Bishop (19:15):
Yes, I'm in New York City this month. I've been
here 10 times or so. And Iwanted to get to know it better,
which is why we've come here fora month. What do you like about
it? Well, let me ask you thatquestion. Start off with with
your viewer and I assume you'vebeen to New York City multiple
times before?
Michael Moran (19:33):
Yeah, yeah. on business and on pleasure. So let
me I suppose I'm still always,always taken aback by the
skyline. And the fact that sortof when you're walking around,
you know where you are becauseof the grid system. Typically,
when I say New York, I've beenon the island and I've been on
(19:54):
Manhattan. So I like that. It'svibrant. It's very diverse. Um,
you've not asked me but I'lltell you why. My favorite thing
on New Yorkers, which is theMetropolitan Museum of Art, and
indeed I love, they go into thetop of the building. There's a
cafe there and you can look overCentral Park. I also like
(20:16):
Central Park. I always think theMetropole is just like a time
capsule. There you go around itand you sort of you almost can
see most all of mankindcivilization through the ages. I
say it's like a time capsule,see various things. Love it.
Julian Bishop (20:32):
Yes. And all of those things arise. And I guess
just picking up on something yousaid, when you say the skyline,
it actually it's multipleSkylines, isn't it? There's the
skyline of downtown, there's theskyline of midtown, there's the
skyline of Brooklyn and ofJersey City, actually, there are
multiple Skylines all with theirown separate but appealing
(20:53):
views.
Michael Moran (20:54):
Yeah, but I'm, I'm, I'm one of these people
that when I go to cities, I liketo go up high. And either
whether they're involved inrestaurants or have a look. So
again, one of my personalhighlights is walking over the
Brooklyn Bridge, on a beautifulFebruary morning, crystal clear,
very frosty in the butt.
absolutely magnificent viewsover the river.
Julian Bishop (21:14):
Yes, I've done a little bit of that since I've
been here. In certainly you mustshare that affliction with your
wife. When I met her once in NewYork, I met her in a bar, which
was overlooking Times Square. Sowe were very high up in one of
those bars with a magnificentview of overtime square. And you
can imagine what she had todrink. It could
Michael Moran (21:35):
have been champagne, could it? I think, I
think I've trained it wellaround this thing of going
applied buildings, which shedoesn't like going to answer. So
if you go up the New York State,she's not keen to go outside of
New York State.
Julian Bishop (21:49):
You mean me?
Michael Moran (21:50):
Yes, of course, me.
Julian Bishop (21:51):
I haven't done any tourist things this time.
Well, I did one tourist thing.
Most of the time, I have beendoing non tourist things. And
what I've been doing is pickingactually on something you said
that you liked the diversity inNew York. And I think that that
is its major feature, you know,so to me, the variety of
different neighborhoods that youget in New York, what causes the
(22:12):
vibrancy, I've been to theRussian neighborhood of Brighton
Beach, where everything is inRussian, everyone speaks
Russian. And most of the foodis, is Russian. I've been to the
Dominican areas of inward Parkand Washington Heights been to
the black areas of Harlem andparts of the Bronx, have been to
(22:34):
the Italian areas of ArthurAvenue in the Bronx, and some of
the Jewish areas in Brooklyn aswell. Some of these areas are
like visiting another country,but without leaving your city.
They are so different. They areso non American. And I think it
is this diversity, which causesthe huge variety in the arts
(22:56):
world and in the food in NewYork City to the sort of main
things which I think set NewYork apart from any other city
in the world. I lovecontemporary arts that met isn't
really my cup of tea becauseit's more traditional art. I you
know, I love the installationsand contemporary art that, you
know, some of these communitiesbring through their diversity. I
(23:20):
think New York also has the moretraditional art galleries as
well, you know, the Mets MoMA,Guggenheim, and so forth. Okay,
well, so. And food I think isjust terrific. In New York. I
think it's a little bit likeHong Kong. You know, in Hong
Kong, there are so manyrestaurants, because people have
such small apartments, so theytend to go out for meals every
(23:41):
day. New York is like that aswell. And so there are a lot of
very small, excellentrestaurants, non chain
restaurants here, you know,representing, you know, the food
of all of the differentnationalities that have come to
New York, even post COVID Mostof those restaurants are still
open. I mean, many of themsuddenly have closed, but
(24:03):
there's still a huge variety ofdifferent foods that you can eat
and and all of these restaurantshave to be good. If New Yorkers
don't go to them because thequality is not good. Then they
will close. So the quality ishigh, pretty much wherever you
go in New York, other than themost touristy areas.
Michael Moran (24:24):
So just going back to something I was going to
mention. My last visit was thehighlight. Walk in highlight.
Really enjoy
Julian Bishop (24:32):
Yes, we actually we did that yesterday.
Michael Moran (24:35):
That's interesting. You Julius
Julian Bishop (24:39):
it is a tourist thing. We had just done another
tourist thing as well, which waswe had done a walking tour.
Well, a walking tour of the foodin Greenwich Village. And we've
eaten you know so many pizzasand and various different forms
of food in Greenwich Villagethat we needed to walk that off.
So we were fairly close toHighline. So we went for a walk
(25:01):
along the High Line. Yeah, it isquite a tourist thing. Perhaps
you could explain to ourlisteners what the High Line is
then Well,
Michael Moran (25:10):
hopefully listeners will know I've got a
fascination with trains. So he,it was a train line built from
the docks. Now where does itend? And was basically work for
meat packing wasn't moving themeat from the dogs into the
factories.
Julian Bishop (25:26):
Yeah, that's right. It goes through the
Meatpacking District. Actually,I think we finally found a good
use for the train, convert allthe tracks into a nice walking
paths. That sounds sir. Soundsgood to me.
Michael Moran (25:39):
Well, and in the UK, we do that a lot, don't we?
I mean, post beaching, we've gotlots of really good trails,
which used to be well attract.
So yeah, I mean, I think theuniqueness that is is the
height, isn't it, they sort ofgoing back to my theme of I like
seeing cities from above. TheHighline does give you stats.
And the downside of New York is,obviously, it's very busy.
(26:00):
There's lots of roads, you'reconstantly stopping waiting for
the traffic lights to change.
Whereas the highline takes thataway, you just literally walk
above the traffic,
Julian Bishop (26:10):
as you say, fantastic views of all of the
districts, but believe that youcan watch the world's going buy
from a height. So that is anexcellent thing to do. One thing
that they have added since youwere last here, you know, since
COVID, was they've got thisthing called little islands. So
they've created an artificialisland in the Hudson, just off
(26:32):
the Highline. And you can gothere and have a picnic and so
forth. It looks magnificent,
Michael Moran (26:37):
okay. And when you say it's an artificial
island was made of,
Julian Bishop (26:41):
well, I haven't been able to go to it yet.
Because of COVID. You've got tobook a slot. We were thinking
about going to eat yesterday,but then the weather wasn't
reliable enough for a picnic. Iwill go next week, and I will
let you know from the few 100yards that I was from it. Okay,
I would say that they havereused lots of other materials
(27:02):
to create this island. And thenthey've just liked they have
done on on the High Line. TheHigh Line is, is also a lot more
full of plants and flora than itwas last time I went on it. And
I think that's what they'redoing with little island as
well. Okay.
Michael Moran (27:16):
And I'm sorry, I'm not gonna be very good at
telling you exactly what it is.
But have you done also the cablecar to the island?
Julian Bishop (27:23):
Yeah, so the island you're talking about is
Roosevelt Island. And actually,this time was the first time
I've been to it. It used to be akind of deserted island, it
wasn't people weren't able tolive on it. And then from about
the 1970s onwards, they startedto put some accommodation on
there. And then over the lastfew years, they've moved the
(27:44):
Technical School of Cornell, theuniversity onto the onto the
island. It used to be that youcould only get to the islands
via a cable car. But morerecently, they've added a subway
stop. So you can get to it bysubway by ferry by cable car.
And I think also by road, Ithink there's a bridge which
(28:05):
goes into Queen Su. So yeah, wewent there for the first time
and we had a walk around theisland. It's actually a
fantastic view of the city, orat least Midtown, but very quiet
very unlike the rest of New Yorkunit. Even though it's only a
few 100 yards away from from NewYork City, you get this sort of
feeling of tranquility, I canunderstand why people might
(28:29):
choose to live there, although Ijust doesn't have the depth of
restaurants and shops and barsthat New York City does. But
this
Michael Moran (28:36):
is very interesting place. Given it's in
the middle of a city and yet yousuddenly feel like you're in
suburbia, don't you?
Julian Bishop (28:43):
This is exactly my comment. Yeah, really. To
Lauren, I felt that I was insuburbia. It really is just a
one stop ride. And then you'rein New York City.
Michael Moran (28:52):
But again, if you like like me, seeing CDs behind
the Cable Guy is the way to doit. It's fantastic piece of
engineering.
Julian Bishop (28:59):
Yeah. And the cable car is just part of your
Metro pass. So if you buy yoursubway pass, then that's just
one of the journeys that youwill use. Okay, so that's New
York. Yeah, I think there are afew negatives of New York, would
you say?
Michael Moran (29:14):
Famously, how do I say, New York taxi drivers,
they are a mixed bunch ofpeople, you get the good, the
bad and the ugly. You gotta beable to trade abuse. I suspect
with New York traffic drivers,they they've always got a story
to tell.
Julian Bishop (29:30):
I've not taken a taxi. So I can't tell you one
thing I have noticed and maybethis is COVID thing, maybe it's
an Uber thing. But I've noticedthat they are not very common on
the streets. It used to be whenyou went there that taxis were
the only vehicles that you sawin the streets. And now, I think
(29:50):
because New York is a lot saferthan it used to be. New York
doesn't even come in and the top100 most dangerous cities in the
US in terms of crime per person.
And I think a lot more peoplejust use the public transport
system than they used to.
Michael Moran (30:05):
Okay, so yeah, I was gonna say my very first time
I went, I was running late forthe plane going back to the UK
on a Friday night flying out andthe taxi man, I used to stay, I
have no idea what route he took.
But I do recall going on customslawn, as we were weaving in and
out of traffic. So that reallygreatly impressed me to how he
(30:26):
managed to get me to theairport. And he clearly knew all
about ways and including goingover people's lawns, which I was
very impressed with. That wasgood.
Julian Bishop (30:35):
You're going to watch JFK was
Michael Moran (30:37):
the first thing, I suppose the downside which I
think's improved, which was thepollution. I mean, it was not,
it was not a clean city when Ifirst went there at all.
Julian Bishop (30:48):
Unlike most cities, what New York has done
is it's cleaned all of hisbuildings, or almost all of his
buildings, there's the odd one,it hasn't cleaned. And you can
really see how horrible thepollution used to be. It's a
clean city, I think it's not agreat city for dogs. My dogs
haven't particularly enjoy thecity there. You know, there are
a few dog parks, but you can'ttake dogs on to public
(31:11):
transport. They've beenconstrained to near where we're
staying in is quite expensive.
It certainly is expensive termsof accommodation is expensive to
live as well. And for those wholive in New York City, the tax
rates are incredibly high.
Michael Moran (31:27):
And again, back to transport. I don't think I'd
want to cycle in New York,unlike a lot of cities, which
clearly are today, moving tocycles, you know, I mean,
famously Amsterdam, but mostcities now have some sort of no
pickup drop off bikingarrangement. But I suspect it's
not the New York has as well, Idon't think I would do it in New
York. You know, it's it's roadjunction after road junction and
(31:50):
the nature of traffic is thatpeople tend to still shoot the
lights. So I suspect it's thecyclists, it can be quite
dangerous.
Julian Bishop (31:58):
Michael, I have been enjoying cycling in New
York City, it's very easy torent a bike here as it is in
most, most cities around theworld. Every street has a cycle
lane. And to be honest, the carsdo not go very fast on the
streets here. So I would sayit's a pretty safe city to drive
(32:18):
on. And also, it's a fairly easycity to navigate for the reasons
you set out earlier. And nowit's on a grid system and then
north of house in St. It's, it'sreally very logical as to where
everything is.
Michael Moran (32:32):
Okay. And do you also have scooters as well?
There are both
Julian Bishop (32:37):
electric scooters and electric bikes. So there's a
huge army of food deliverypeople, most of whom seem to
have electric bikes. And thenthere are these sort of man,
people on scooters who goextremely fast on their scooters
down the streets and avenueshere that I wouldn't take in New
(32:58):
York City. How would you reachNew York City that Michael?
Well, you
Michael Moran (33:01):
definitely need to go. So you know, if you're
going to the States, and you'venot been to New York, absolutely
have to go a little bit like wesaid, Vegas glass of our last
episode, so you definitely haveto go. I think I'm gonna give me
a five out of five because Ithink if you know, every time I
go in, I've probably been nowabout six or seven times, I can
always find things that haven'tseen or haven't done that I want
(33:22):
to do. And he disappoints I LikeYou I like the people you tend
to meet very friendly people arethere we're going to talk about
sort of, you know, thedifference between us and but in
the main gate to left in, in theStates, somebody will engage in
a conversation. And thatnormally leads to an interesting
conversation around wherethey're from, or what they've
(33:44):
seen. They're normally asked meDo I know somebody in England,
and in the name of Smith, youknow, you know that quite
easily.
Julian Bishop (33:51):
It certainly used to be when I first started
visiting New York, which wouldhave been in the late 80s, early
90s, New York had a reputationfor being rude, and that people
had a reputation for beingimpatient. And I don't really
think that's true anymore. Ithink there's a lot more
kindness in the city than thereused to be. Some people believe
it's connected with the 911atrocities. Others think it's
(34:15):
just a new generation of peoplecoming through and deciding to
behave differently. I thinkthere is there are a lot of
signs of people being very kind.
For example, one of the thingsI've noticed this time, haven't
noticed it in my previousvisits, is the huge amounts of
foods that people leave out forhomeless people. If you go to
any wall or something, therewill be some food, which has
(34:36):
been left out purchased and thenleft out for people who who need
the food. It shows a degree ofkindness at least from a
minority of the residents of NewYork City. And I too would give
New York City a five star Ithink it is a must go to if you
haven't been go and there'salways more stuff to find. I've
(34:56):
been here three weeks and haddone anything touristy? Really,
most of the things that be nontouristy, and there's just so
many things to do here,
Michael Moran (35:06):
although it need to create you again, you've done
the highlight. That's verytouristy, Julian.
Julian Bishop (35:12):
Well, I have done I did go to Ellis Island as
well. That's great. So rusty,but as it was something I had
not done before.
Michael Moran (35:18):
Did you enjoy that? Yeah, I
Julian Bishop (35:20):
was fantastic.
Oh, it's a really, really goodMuseum, I would recommend that
you've got to book in advancethe ferry ticket to get out
there. The exhibits they have onEllis Island, in a really do
show the story of America. So Iwould heartily recommend that to
everyone. When you're here,there's so much to do, you
probably should have a mix oftouristy and non touristy
(35:40):
things. I think if you were justgoing from tourist thing to
tourist thing, it might seemlike many other cities. But if
you have a mix, then I thinkthat will be something that
would enrich your experiencehere. So we're both saying five
star recommends
Michael Moran (35:57):
become a bit and I've always left thinking I
still need to do such and such.
So absolutely, definitely wortha visit. Well, that concludes
episode 49 of an AmericanJourney. I do hope you enjoyed
our revisit New York. Obviously,I need to thank Simon gozney for
his excellent contribution. Ishould have said an introduction
(36:22):
that Simon had good reason to goto Ellis Island because some of
his ancestors had gone to thestates and emigrate to the
states and pass through EllisIsland. It is a super Museum.
Definitely one not to miss. So Ihope you found the session. Both
(36:45):
helpful informative, as well asenjoyable Of course. We will be
back at this time with Julianfor episode 50 A landmark
episode. I'm just back fromtraveling to the states. Having
taken the grandkids to Disneyand universal so you during an
(37:08):
hour decided we'll revisit theparks. We also went to St Pete's
beach just before the badweather hit so I think we'll try
and build something into thestates and extreme weather. But
until then, I have to say it'sgood not goodbye for me and it's
also goodbye from me goodbye.
Unknown (37:54):
Lazy
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