An eye-opening visit to NYC

I had business to attend to in New York City. It was the first time I ventured in since March when the pandemic sent us all home to work remotely.

The MetroNorth train was practically empty.

Grand Central Terminal

Although not dead, there seemed to be a dearth of folks in the station compared to how it was in March. 

There were many stores and sections closed...

...especially the lower floor :-(

Even the Vanderbilt Room was "closed for business".. 

.. but at least the wonderful kiosk of its history was still going strong!

Yikes!

I next walked up to where I first started full-time corporate work (ages ago!) and was shocked to see 270 Park Ave was being torn down.  It reminded me of the George Benson hit "Everything Must Change" "Everything must change...Nothing stays the same..."

That certainly is true of Manhattan!

Way back when this was one of our infrequent after work watering holes :-)

and this one (still open) was the other.

It was hard to recognize with the skyscraper no longer present but here is the Grand Central north entrance I used to use...

Ah but one heart-warming sight was to see the same food cart I used to patronize still on the same corner. Nick used to make the best Bacon, Egg and Cheese!

This elderly gentleman sitting in the lobby with super protection from COVID-19 caught my eye. Imagine this sight if it occurred a few years back! It's like a sci-fi dystopia reality we live in now <sigh>

Well I next ventured over to Hudson Yards - where I working until the pandemic sent us scrambling to work remotely.  Strangely this area is still incredibly bustling and new skyscrapers seem to be sproting up everywhere.

The good news is one of my favorite delis (an inexpensive lunch spot) was still open. No doubt supported by the army of hard-working construction workers on the nearby ever-growing assortment of skyscrapers.