Day 1 – First Impressions of New York

I’ve arrived! Together with around fifty members of the

London Gay Men’s Chorus, including musical director Simon and pianist Lana, onboard

a British Airways jumbo jet.

“Let’s do the show here!” Once the drinks trolley did a few

rounds, the singing began…

Strangely enough, with fifty gay men onboard, they ran out

of gin.

Hats off to our chairman John for organising this group

flight. Marshalling fifty gay men to America and back has to be like herding

cats.

The New York Gay Men’s Chorus were there to welcome us in

the Arrivals hall, complete with rainbow flags and lots of hugs.

My amazing host David was one of the welcoming committee at

JFK airport from the New York Gay Men’s Chorus. With his years of local

knowledge, I finally know the easy way to get into Manhattan.

We took the AirTrain from the terminal to Jamaica Station,

where we got the E Line through to Chelsea, and 23rd Street.

And first impressions?

It’s hot. 30 degrees (that’s over eighty Fahrenheit for

American readers). And humid. Everyone’s

in their singlets and shorts.

Chelsea is an amazing neighbourhood, straight out of the

movies. Great places to eat all the way up 23rd Street. Beautiful

buildings.

And it’s busy. So busy.

The lobby of David’s apartment building is simply perfectly styled in Art Deco.

Straight out of Poirot. There’s even a garden with the apartment block, a rarity in New York. The elevator is elegantly lined with dark

wood and is to die for.

And the Art Deco apartment …

I am still in heaven.