#socratespark

A New York Sunday. A trip to the Noguchi Museum and Socrates Park.

I never thought I would be looking forward to morning yoga and meditation sessions. A perfect way to begin all days - yoga in the park! This Sunday I was meant to make my way down to Socrates Sculpture Park, with yoga instructor Yojaida Estrella. I grabbed a towel, since I didn’t have a yoga mat and rushed out the door - I overslept just a little and was not sure how long it would take me considering I had to switch trains and grab a bus to the location. 

When I got to the park I was not sure where I was meant to go, as the location was not clear. I kept walk till I saw a large group of people spread out under the shade of these towering trees. I found a spot, put down my backpack and laid the towel out to start my practice. What I find lovely and intriguing about about the various yoga sessions I have been to, that the instructors bring a very different energy to the practice - their focus on either breath or body - mostly breathing, the way the deliver and conduct, the narratives are always interesting. This one is particular even focused on laughter as a form of letting go and being content - it was rather lovely. I packed up and started looking around for places to have have breakfast at then just decided to make my way to the Lincoln Center and find a place somewhere on the way - and so I did.

I was not sure as to what to expect at the Lincoln Center - Heritage Sunday for traditional music and dance was all I had to know. The Center was built in 1955, by architect Eero Saarinen. The Center was lovely to walk through, I was not expecting such an open space, with buildings and theatres. I went around looking for Hearst Plaza, which was located between the Metropolitan Opera House and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Lawn, flanked by the shaded green trees of Barclay’s Grove to the south (as it had been described on the website). It was a space dedicate to outdoor entertainment, music, dance and family events. 

There were many chairs lined up, I walked to the front and found myself a seat in the thirst row, the closest I could get and waited to the show to begin. It began with Next Generation Traditions featuring Redobles de Cultura, who are known to blend the foundational knowledge of their elders with the aesthetics, styles, and realities of an urban and diasporic perspective. 

The intergenerational Sri Lankan Dance Academy of New York from Staten Island and its diverse Sri Lankan community was next - their dance performance was full of skill, and the timing was spot on - it was such a lovely afternoon in the sun. Sadly, I could not stay for the rest of the line-up and made my way back to meet with Margot - for the next activity on y schedule.

Margot Fox, I am not sure where to begin, we had last met at Grand Central (for those of you who have been following my journal updates, would know), as she had previously invited me to go to Connecticut, to attend her cousin’s 70th birthday party, that was held at an antique shop. Since that day, we shared a sort of fondness, connection - I am not sure what to call it - but it definitely didn’t feel like I had just met her - the connection felt like it had been around for longer - one of those strange meetings when you meet someone and it feels comfortable instantly. Well, to come back to today, and not drift more into the background story, we had kept in touch and wanted to plug in another activity together, a possible historic tour of Greenwich Village by foot, which she had generously offered and Abbie made it happen! I met her over at her apartment before we set out on our tour, I was super excited about this one, considering I have a weakness of history and old towns, and architecture. 

Margot was great at telling me historic stories of New York City, and her deep interest in historic preservation, culture and activism was very evident.  We walked through and talked about everything we passed and there was so much to retain, but I am touching upon those that struck me the most. 

We began our tour from Washington Square Park and took it from there. We walked around and discussed the arc, its significance, the fountain and the history of the Park. The park in the 1960's, was known to attract hippies and people who gathered together to sing songs and play music. It was surrounded from all sides by old heritage buildings, some preserved and with a variety of architectural styles and the ever expanding campus of New York University. Throughout Greenwich Village you could find architecture that dated as early as the 1800's, Greek-Revival townhouses from the 1800 and Neo-Gothic styles - it was such an absolute treat! She should be some remain of original old cobblestone streets surrounded by stables that were preserved but now turned into resident homes for NYU - the streets retained so much character.