Staying in SoHo

I am writing this week's column sitting the dining/gathering table in a loft apartment in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. My daughter and I are here for a few days as a final installment in her college education. She graduated last week, but I believe even a brief visit to New York is at least as educational as a semester of courses. After a day and a half here, I think she agrees. 

Scout, the King Charles Spaniel

We have a bedroom in the loft of a family, Albert, Michelle, and Philipine--Oh, and Scout, the King Charles spaniel.
There are other guests here, as well, from all over the world. Right now I am sitting across from a woman who grew up in Delaware, married a Dutch man, and has lived in Chile for the past twenty-two years. Albert grew up in Paris and Michelle is French Canadian. This diversity of backgrounds has led to some terrific discussions. We certainly do not agree on many topics, but that is just fine in this environment.

Michelle, playing piano beneath one of her husband's photos

Marianne, the woman who is married to the Dutch man, tells me that a lot of people do not like the Dutch because they tend to be very direct in speaking their minds. If they like you, they will say so. If they do not like you, they will say that, too. Although I am a born-and-bred Southern woman, I prefer the direct approach. I would much rather someone tell me that they do not like me than to smile and speak sweetly to me only to turn away and complain to someone else about me. I am wondering  if that is why so many people who visit New York come back to report the people are rude. I find it to be quite the opposite. 

Michelle tells me they have hosted over 5,000 guests in their home since they started thirteen years ago. Their daughter is about to turn thirteen so she has shared her home and her parents with strangers her entire life. I have tried
to envision myself doing this, opening my home to travelers from all over the world, telling them "this is your home" (which Albert and Michelle have said repeatedly). We Southerners are very friendly, are we not? But does our Southern hospitality go to the level of these New Yorkers? I can honestly say that mine does not. 

The 9/11 Memorial was a very
heart-wrenching but beautiful place to visit.

Albert is a photographer and Michelle is an art dealer. She reports that having all of the different people in her home serves to constantly enrich her knowledge and inspiration. She says sometimes she meets a new guest and thinks she is not going to like them, but after only a few minutes of conversing and learning the person's story, her mind is changed. She likened individuals to pieces of art--each is unique and inspired and each has a story. Our individual tastes, experiences, and understanding dictate whether we find a painting or a piece of pottery interesting or beautiful, just as it does with new people we meet. 

Yes, we are walking the city, riding the subways and busses, and visiting the museums, but the best lessons of this trip have been in this home, at least for me. Today we are off to visit the Garment District and to pay our respects at the 9/11 Memorial. There are so many lessons to be learned between now and Wednesday afternoon! I will be posting photos and stories on the blog when I am safely back in Spring Creek.

A rainy view of Columbus Circle

Me and that sewing guy in the Garment District

This shop in Chelsea was nothing but vintage costume
 jewelry--my daughter was in heaven!

Shelby enjoying Bryant Park

An interesting work at the Museum of Art and Design

"The Hand of God" by Rodin--beautiful!

I love rounding a corner in a museum and seeing, live
and in person, a painting that I have seen in books my entire life.
 Better than celebrity sightings to me!

The new World Trade Center looks
 almost finished from this side