Thursday, December 16, 2010

Central Park, New York City

Perhaps I was the only one in the group that wanted to visit Strawberry Fields at Central Park, where a memorial was built for John Lennon. I’m glad I did. It’s veered westward from Sheep Meadow and some climbing is required. A round mosaic, decorated with the word “Imagine” in the center, basically defines the memorial. That late afternoon, as we ascended the rather hilly path, a group was gathering around the mosaic, strumming and singing to the tunes of Imagine, Hey Jude, Let It Be and other timeless songs from the Beatles.

You might find this unbelievable, but the truth is, I had a feeling that I’d meet Yoko Ono at Strawberry Fields that day. We were walking down the hill, making our way to the Lake and the Great Lawn when we crossed paths with this woman in a striking white suit, donning one of those funky hats spotted on celebrities and clubbers these days. We met face to face and naturally, gave each other a smile. Unmistakably, it was Yoko Ono. Not intimidated, but rather out of respect for one’s privacy, I’d decided not ask for a photo with her. But seeing how willing she was with an American couple, I went up to her and politely requested for one. And she obliged.

I guess my colleagues were confused as to why I wanted to have a photo taken with Yoko Ono. It was nothing about being starstruck but really, to capture this significant moment in Central Park celebrating the music and life of a great musical talent, mourning his tragic death at the nearby Dakota Apartments and meeting his wife, Yoko Ono.

And this is just one of the many fond memories of Central Park, including.....


.....resting on one of the many benches around the Bethesda Fountain

.....seeing another ancient Egyptian obelisk, Cleopatra’s Needle, after Paris and Luxor

.....soaking in the sun, just like them New Yorkers

.....the beautiful view of the Lake

.....being mesmerized by the music and passion, the joie de vivre

.....wishing I can do my regular 10 km runs here in the future

.....and meeting a fairy in the park.

For me, Central Park is New York, where life is fun, exciting and full of possibilities. To cover this area in a day seems difficult, if you plan to include the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim along Fifth Avenue, and the American Museum of Natural History on 79th Street, Central Park West. And these upper Manhattan museum.....

.....are worthy of a brand new post.

11 comments:

J said...

Where's the photo of u n Yoko Ono lah? :P

Lyrical Lemongrass said...

I've only ever visited Central Park in the winter, but there is still beauty in its bleak and leafless landscape. Love the picture of the couple dancing. If only we could let go of our inhibitions and dance when we feel like dancing.
(I won't ask the obvious question...)

qwazymonkey said...

This is exactly why visiting New York and Central Park is high up on my list. Given a chance I would like to live there for a while.

"Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world"

MissyGlutton said...

and u made me miss NYC even more...

which i tot would never be possible...

HairyBerry said...

j, got. I show ya tomoro la, ya :)

lyrical lemongrass, i can imagine how beautiful the park is during winter. How great if we can visit the park in every season? :) glad you liked the dancing pic! Not sure if the obvious question is what i had mind but i must go take lessons first lor. I'm a hopeless there. Haha'

qwazymonkey, ahhhh, across the universe! That's another classic...i remember you said that you want to live there when we met up last time. I'm sure you get there. And i think it'll be very soon! You'll lurve it there!

missyglutton, like you, i'm missing my short but memorable trip there too. For me, it's not just the sights but the energy it brings...ah, i hope you are going again soon! :)

Jun said...

central park is always magical. more posts on nyc pls, and not just a final one :(

Kenny Mah said...

Ah, you told me the story of taking a pic with Yoko Ono but not the visiting the John Lennon/Imagine memorial. Or maybe you did, and I forgot.

Anyway, reading it here... it's touching, bro. And I say that in the baldest of ways. It is touching. :)

Ciki said...

gr8 post darling! where is the pic of you and yoko ono!!

Camemberu said...

The park is beautiful. Respite from the maddening crowd.

And yes, where is photo!

choi yen said...

Central Park can represent New York, I wonder which park @ KL can represent it ler?

HairyBerry said...

jun, sigh....i wish i had more posts but there's only one left. the good news is, it's about food! :)

kenny, yeah, i think i kinda told you about yoko ono when we met at soo kee. will show ya the pic when we meet! :) and wow, thanks for the compliment, bro. it was indeed a very significant meeting at central park. ;)

cumi and ciki, thanks! :) so, you like the pic i showed you last saturday or not? :)

camemberu, agree. despite the maddening crowd, it was still very much tranquil in it's own way. i show you the pic when we meet at the next meat out, ya! :)

choi yen, wow, a very interesting observation! well, i think, in a way, klcc does represent kl because people from all walks of life come to the park to relax and unwind. luckily mat rempits are not allowed in the park la, hor? that will really represent the "real" kl..haha.