“Small opportunities
are often the beginning
of great enterprises.”
~ Demosthenes
“Small opportunities
are often the beginning
of great enterprises.”
~ Demosthenes
“Faith is taking the first step
even when you don’t see
the whole staircase.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Love is flower-like;
Friendship is like a
sheltering tree.”
~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“Always remember that you
are absolutely unique.
Just like everyone else.”
~ Margaret Mead
“Nothing ever goes away
until it has taught us
what we need to know.”
~ Pema Chödrön
“We are made wise
not by the recollection
of our past, but by the
responsibility for our future.”
~ George Bernard Shaw
“Let us never know
what old age is.
Let us know the happiness
Time brings, not
count the years.”
~ Ausonius
What is the Oculus in New York City? Walking along the sidewalk of Lower Manhattan, as you turn a corner, your eyes rest upon a gigantic image of a bird in flight. Or is it? Perhaps it appears to be the skeleton of some sort of space craft instead. From the outside it seems dwarfed next to the cluster of skyscrapers near One World Trade Center. It is only when you enter its doors, at the street level, you come to the realization it leads to the new mass transit system replacing what was destroyed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This centerpiece is the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. Eleven different lines connect New Jersey’s PATH trains and New York City’s subways. Combined with an upscale retail mall of shops and eateries, the Oculus reflects the ambience of its nemesis, the World Trade Center. Before you leave, step onto the mezzanine level for a phenomenal snapshot to record your visit. Selfies permitted.
Manhattan’s famous Central Park is New York City’s public haven for recreation, entertainment, community, or solitude. Look in one direction to be greeted by towering monuments. Turn and see. As you stroll in the shadow of the Wisteria Pergola, take a moment to gaze above at the delicate purple tendrils. Inhale the fragrance. Cross over another stone foot bridge, paying close attention to embellished details in ornate finials. The architecture is magnificent. Hear the soothing sound of water spewing forth from angelic fountains. Close your eyes, make a wish, and toss a coin into the crystal clear waters. Natural beauty is visible at every turn. Sights, sounds, and aromas fill the air. What’s that smell? At the edge of the park sits a legendary hot dog vendor offering tasteful sausages in steamed buns with condiment combinations for every palate. Well done, Central Park.