The Great Elephant March – New York City, New York
On a recent visit to New York a slow down allowed us to take in the Lincoln Tunnel approach from New Jersey. Somber preparations has begun for the 9/11 commemorations. I’ve always admired the Art Deco style pylons.
We made a quick stop at Gotham West Market with different food vendors. Chrissy & Ed had Mexican. T and I chose ramen.
Next stop was the pier where we got a great view of the Intrepid. Launched during WWII and decommissioned in 1974, today it is a museum. A few years ago the kids stayed overnight on the ship during a scout trip.
From the end of the pier is a perfect view of the Weehawken dueling ground. Alexander Hamilton famously died in a duel with Aaron Burr here. Subsequent road and railroad construction obliterated the historic site. Still, one gets a sense of the gravity of the moment looking across the Hudson.
Next up we took an Uber to the Meatpacking District. Here a new public art project recently launched.
The Great Elephant March recognizes the explosive growth in the population of humans and elephants in India over the last 30 years. The show is meant to encourage people to celebrate coexistence with nature. Some elephants from the herd are for sale ranging between $8,000 for the smallest to $22,000 for the largest with tusks. Funds raised go to support conservation organizations in the US and globally.
Chrissy and I took a moment to get a photo with the herd.
At the front of the line the first few elephants are elaborately decorated with flowers, showing the reverence of humans for nature.
Much credit goes to the Meatpacking District for creating a public space able to take on an installation of this scope and scale. Very grateful to have had an opportunity to experience this special moment.
Next we made our way to the Highline for a quick walk. This is the busiest I have seen it but people did fine flowing through. We stopped for a smoothie and gelato near Chelsea Market.
After a quick cab ride made one final stop for Forbidden Broadway. For a lifelong admirer you of musical theater like myself, I really enjoyed seeing the ensemble of four poke fun at Broadway for 90 minutes. There was some truly brilliant takes on classics and a few songs I never heard before. In over 40 years this has become a celebrated piece of the theatrical ecosystem in New York City and beyond. Glad to be in on the joke now.