On top of the world

Can you go to New York without going to the Empire State Building? Well, very easily! But the tourist in me wanted to go, so I could say I’d been :)


(A solid Building...)

From street level, this is a seriously solid looking building, and gives the appearance of being fat and squat. But then you look up, and it narrows and zooms up into the blue sky.


(...that sours into the sky)

I made my way along 34th Street and jostled with the people going about their normal business. The bottom of the tower is being developed as I was there, and is surrounded by scaffolding, and although I turn onto 5th Avenue correctly, I actually missed the entrance at first, and had to double back on myself. But then I do find the way in, and walk down the ornate entrance way, and then into the queue for the inevitable security checks. Then I queue for the elevator - work is underway here too, and the area is screened off by wooden boarding. This is not a busy day, but still the line for the elevator takes about 15 minutes. But then we are in the elevator and up to the 80th floor. Here we get out, and have to queue again for the elevator to the 86th floor. As I’m queuing, an attendant tells us we can choose to use the stairs if we don’t want to wait. This is too good an opportunity to miss, so I take them, and so can honestly say that I climbed the stairs to the top of the Empire State!

And so, a bit breathless but undaunted, I emerge into the sun in the viewing gallery. Now I have this thing about heights - I found I was afraid of them when I emerged onto the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral one day, and had to cling onto the wall with fear. But this sort of height - even though it’s way higher than that is not frightening - and I’ve no idea why!


(A view from the 86th floor)

The day is bright and clear, and the views are sharp way out to the horizon, and is it my imagination, or can you see the curve of the earth from up here? I walk round the enclosed area, and then out and round the open area - and man it is cold out here! But it’s eternally fascinating to be to see things from this height - almost like being in a plane, but with more perspective and closer up and personal. We get a great view of the building which I think is my favourite one in New York in terms of looks - the Chrysler Building


(The Chrysler Building from the Empire State)

Looking out gives one a sense of space and light - but looking down is a totally different experience - this is more about how close together things are, and how high we really are.


(In the shadow of the Empire State)


(Are YOU happy?)

And then again, just when you are feeling at peace with the world, and part of it all, and are just lining up one more photograph, when someone else really needs that particular view too right this second....


(I need that shot, and I need it NOW)

And then the queues to go down and the crush and harrying to wait. And I wouldn't have wanted to miss that experience - maybe on another trip I could do it at night which would be totally different, I'm sure. But for now I'm happy to say I've done the Empire State experience, and actively enjoyed it:)