Subway theatre

Locked in a packed carriage on a Saturday night heading from mid town. We have the homeless man who has sorted his life out but just needs a bit if cash for tonight's dinner for his kid ( ala denzal Washington ) ; we have the seedy looking " blessing hands  " group giving away very unnutritious white bread sandwiches for a donation or your support and we have the white rapper espousing on everything from drugs to Guantanamo bay all in one poem . He definitely deserved a donation but the hands just couldn't find the wallet in time before the next stop where they all jump out . 

Had plenty of opportunities to donate today though at the gospel church service we attended today in Harlem. Music was amazing and our tour leader was full of "yo brothers" and   info about the influence of the church on Harlem . His story about the Ozzie , Peter Norman , who stood with the black runners on the podium at the 1972 Olympics story bought a heart warming tear to our eyes and certainly  helped open our wallets for an even bigger tip at the end ( ok the Ozzie cynic cannot rest) . We cheered on the New York marathon runners as they ran through Harlem 

The tour ended up at the Apollo theatre where many black entertainers got their start ( Michael Jackson , James brown, Aretha franklin  ) . Our tour leader Neil, espoused his love of Michelle Obama and described how she will help make ensure the next president of the US is a woman. 

Then finally he recommended a great cafe where we got to try some very spicy chicken, gumbo , sweet pumpkin. 

http://www.soulfood.com/msfr/menu.html

We headed in mid town for afternoon. ( tour leader H said no time for after noon nap - darn) we have to do the 3 hour lonely planet walk step by step . But of course we immediately diverted when I saw New York City library first. . We couldn't go into reading room 

Though because ceiling was caving in. 

We walked the libray walk ( back to front much to our intrepid tour leaders frustration ) with famous writers quotes engraved into concrete.  We Found  the Chrysler building foyer ( no ordinary folk can get past security) and then Empire State Building. Tour leader H bragged that he had managed to get us there for the sunset ( but it was just luck really and change from day light saving)  . 

We loved the Empire State Building.  It helped put everything in perspective for tour leader H and I was just pleased we had paid the extra money to go higher as the observation desk on the 103 floor is inside  and there fore so much warmer than the outside deck on the 87 th

floor 

Back home to eat japanese for dinner .