I've been wanting to do this particular scavenger hunt for awhile. I mean, going to Chelsea is only a short 40 block walk away... I guess, that's not particularly close. At any rate, I used it to get out in the sun (the weekend was beautiful!) and to catch up with my good friend Rachel. I'm pretty sure it has been almost 8 months since last caught up. I also used it as an occasion to get no less than 5 blisters on the bottom of my feet. Novice move. Picked the cute shoes over the birks. Walking fail.
Some random sights from the walk:
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| I love the juxtaposition of the modern with the old. |
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| Empire State Building |
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| I love the old painted building sides. |
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| What a strange... hotel? |
On the way to Chelsea Market, I took a quick detour to 23rd Street to see the
Chelsea Hotel (Ch. 89). It was opened in 1883 as an apartment building. In fact, it was the first cooperatively owned apartment building. "[A] number of the apartments were duplexes, with parlors and public rooms on the lower floor and private rooms and bedrooms above." (Ch. 89). However, it was not completely successful as a co-op and therefore became a hotel. As a hotel, it is where Arthur C. Clarke wrote
2001: A Space Odyssey and where Bob Dylan composed
Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands. It's also where several famous musicians have died—some by their own hand (if even by accident) and at least one murdered. I just went in to take a peak. Believe it or not, but they charge an outrageous $40/ person for a
tour. Really?
A funny side note about this was I went inside to look (no photos) and was asked by the staff if they could help me with something (really really small lobby). I said no and that I was just checking it out and escaping the heat in the A/C. As I was leaving, this really young looking guy came running after me (outside!) with a brochure. I told him that I lived here and didn't really need one - thanks anyway. And then he starting chatting me up! He asked if I was in the city for UNDERGRAD! Umm... No, I'm actually an attorney. Him: Oh, umm.. How old are you? Me: 28. Him: Oh... Wow. You don't look a day over ... well, 22! And, I was going to pay you a compliment but now I don't know if it's appropriate. Me: Why? Because I'm too old?! So... Yeah. Good times.
Anyway, the tour continues to
Chelsea Market. It is a really cool place. It's like an
indoor mall meets foodie heaven. In fact,
Iron Chef America is filmed there. I heard it's notoriously hard to get tickets to see Iron Chef America. Believe me, I tried. Anyway, Chelsea Market is housed in the old Nabisco factory (National Biscuit Company) (Ch. 129). But the
most exciting thing about the factory? The invention of oreos in 1912. (Ch. 129). That's right. The fabulous all-American cookie known as the Oreo will be celebrating its 100th birthday next year. All rejoice. :) My photo tribute to the Oreo (and Nabisco factory):
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| MMmmmmm |
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| Nabisco Factory |
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| Anyone else notice the creepy length of the fingernails? Ew. |
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| Old timey tins. |
Some interesting things about the first Oreos: No one at Nabisco knows where the name came from and it originally came in a lemon meringue flavor. I hope they bring it back for the centennial so I can taste it. Oreos are my all-time favorite cookie. I'm not alone in this, according to the book, over 500 million Oreos have been sold, making them the most popular cookies in the U.S.
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