February 19-March 5, 2005

New York City

Christo Gates in Central Park

Museum and Gallery Talks and Tours

Plus much, much more!!!

Gail, Nancy, Linda, Annette, Kaye, Karen, Anna, and Robin

 Linda Stanley joined her Paint-L Friends for a trip to New York City. Paint-L, an online artist's group, formed in 1995, has members from all around the world. Anna West, a member from NY, agreed to act as advisor and guide for our group. With a Manhattan apartment as our headquarters, we were all set for our adventure.

Saturday February 19

Arrival Day

Kaye Smith and I were the first to arrive at La Guardia. After an interesting cab ride, we left our luggage at the apartment, had a quick lunch, and made our way to Central Park for our first view of the Gates.

The sky was bright, the wind blowing, and the water frozen---Pretty cool for two Florida Girls.

Central Park was teeming with wall to wall people. A festival atmosphere, with kids and dogs, prevailed.

Much too soon, Kaye and I made our way back to the apartment to meet up with the rest of the troupe. Even though we had known each other for years on the internet, many of us were meeting for the first time face to face. We greeted each other with hugs and laughter. My friend, Annette Bush, did not recognize me, but I knew her instantly. Karen Jacobs and Robin Walker, I had seen more recently. (I look quite different from 2 and half years ago in Augusta, where we had had a Paint-L show and tour.) This trip was my first meeting with Gail Gilbert, Nancy Herkert and Kaye Smith.

Together we learned the "rules" of the apartment. Little things like unplugging the coffee pot before plugging in the toaster (very important if we didn't want the electricity to blow), where to put the garbage, sealed in little bundles, down a chute and how not to let the front door slam (something each of us did at least once). The Apartment was perfectly located, with a wonderful helpful doorman, and room (believe it or not) for seven artists.

Anna West arrived, after a long day's job as a Gates monitor in Central Park. We all headed off to what seemed at the time, a long walk to Grand Central Station. There we bought the magic Metro Cards, our key to the city, and physical fitness. Anna left us for her train ride to her new home in Beacon, NY.

We took off for a browse around the neighborhood, and landed at a wonderful, little Turkish restaurant for dinner. A perfect place to talk and get to know each other better. Afterwards, we headed to the grocery store, to stock up on essentials. The proximity of grocery stores is a huge consideration in NYC. Our's was only two blocks away, and considered very close. Remember in NYC. you can only buy what you can carry.

Sunday February 20

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