The Bent Page

Yes, below is a photograph of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. This is the one Cornelius Vanderbuilt plunked down for all to admire. It is a handsome structure, one used by literally millions of people every week.

Grand Central straddles Park Avenue. A taxi traveling north or south must go around the building. Just a few blocks north is the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. To the south is more of Manhattan. The trains coming and going from Grand Central connect the city not only to the suburbs, but to the world. Let’s go inside.

This is the main hall which now features a couple of good restaurants from which you can have a nice meal and watch all the people. Naturally on the next level down is a massive news stand, a bookstore, as well as several other shops. On the lowest level, where passengers actually board trains, there is a food court with seating, sanitary facilities, and a few other things like shoe-shines stands and such.

Back up at street level you will find this market on the east side of the building.

It is hard to walk through here without getting hungry. There is a butcher, a fish monger, several bakeries, Murray’s Cheese shop, fruit stands, flower seller, a few prepared food vendors, and a deli counter. And it smells great in there, a true culinary delight, with the most difficult part being the decision on what to have for dinner.

Grand Central is one of the crown jewels of New York City. If you plan to visit, put a stop here on your itinerary. Not only is it a magnificent building, it is also a way to experience the vibrancy of the city. The people here are on the move. They have places to be and things to do. Their energy is contagious. And if for no other reason, it’s a great place to have a snack or an ICE COLD Coca-Cola. Enjoy it and all that New York has to offer.