Today we visit Harlem, we take the subway. It is very easy and comfortable to move around in the subway, as it is Sunday there is less affluence of trains but we don't have to wait too long. In Harlem on Sundays people wear their best clothes to go to church, we stop at Memorial Baptist Church.
Memorial Baptist Church
Memorial Baptist Church Interior
We have to wait for the parishioners to come in and pay the entrance fee. You get the creeps when you hear them sing, they are very spontaneous and actively participate in the worship. It's a must.
Harlem
Harlem is becoming a residential neighborhood, but it still has its essence, street vendors and preachers, kids playing on the courts.
Then we visit the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine, a spectacular Gothic cathedral that houses an exhibition of dragons made from recycled materials. If you do not want to take the guided tour it is free or you can make a donation. Totally recommended. Behind it is the Morningside Park.
Cathedral Church of St John the Divine
Cathedral Church of St John the Divine Interior
We walk to Columbia University, the oldest university in the city. We have a brunch at Yatenga French Bistro, all very nice.
Playing basket
We go up Manhattan Avenue and parallel to 135. In a square there is a fashion show with DJ's and a small musical performance. We go to the Apollo Theater, the main African-American artists like Duke Ellington have performed here. It's very exciting, the lobby is full of pictures. On the sidewalk the walk of fame with stars of the main artists. There's a free performance today but there's no more capacity, what a shame.
Apollo Theater
We changed zones, we are going to SoHo to visit a friend of our friends, she is a designer. She lives in a spectacular apartment, and tells us stories of her latest collections.
Harlem
SoHo, NoHo and Nolita are three modern neighborhoods with great boutiques, bars, restaurants, art galleries... The buildings are impressive with the typical American fire stairs, we visited St Patrick's Old Cathedral, Singer Building (it was the warehouse of the famous sewing machine company), Cable Building... We get lost in its streets and end up in Little Italy, decorated with lights and Italian flags, full of pizzerias and trattorias. Here we have dinner.
Art Gallery
Soho
Little Italy
Memorial Baptist Church ticket $10 per pax.
Lunch: brunch at Yatenga French Bistro (eggs benedictine)60$ 5 pax.
Watermelon, water and soda: $ 12.
Dinner: Italian pizza and beer 27$ 3 pax.
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