I +(like) NY

333 days by plane, ship, train, bus, and on foot - a backpack as company - only to finally find myself climbing up the last of the seven hills that lead to the big apple: New York! Indeed, NY is not a Snow White. NY does not atempt innocence, nor virginity. NY is just as I knew it from all that movies, TV series, magazines, and stories ... I love NY! What a place to finish a journey around the world - right in the heart of this magic, vibrant "melting pot".

If you are lucky to meet one of the seven dwarfs behind the seven hills and listen to his tale of hidden secrets, you may find in the middle of the Manhatten forest of skyscrapers and glas towers a nestled meadow - the Bryant Park - guarded by two lions, nicknamed Patience and Fortitude. The meadow hosts one of the most precious goods of this vibrant city: TIME! Because without time there's no access to the vast collection of the NY Public Library - from medieval manuscripts to contemporary poetry.

This midtown oasis is the place to be to reflect upon two driving forces of my journey: mobility and change. Or should I think in a more philosophical dimension of humanity and knowledge? Sitting next the entrance to the Rose Main reading room a painting was intruding my thoughts. With all the recent controversy on PRISM and the "freedom" of the internet, I felt the need to investigate into the church's role on control over knowledge and education. But while I sank into my thoughts, the moment itself turned into a contemporary digital artifact - the painting became part of the picture's story, whereas the picture became a painting itself.

What a small world. Some may call it intuition. On my way out a collage of tools to store spoken or written words and texts got my attention; and there it was again: a hardcopy of Fahrenheit 451 - the temperature where paper catches fire ...

While I was too young to understand the message of the same-named movie - starring late Oskar Werner - in the late 60ies, I enjoyed reading the novel by chance these days in a remote place in the South Pacific, as well as watching the original movie as download with a friend a few days ago in Canada. And crossing famous Time Square, I wonder to what extent the future from the past caught up with todays everyday life. Aren't we dressing up ourselves with a full body scanner - un/voluntarily?!

What would be Manhatten, NY, without an Friday evening full of good old Jazz. And what about a birthday party? Wayne Shorter's 80th birthday celebration! Dare to miss out. From MOMA, W 53rd St, running down rainy 6th Ave to the Town Hall, W 43rd St, just to sneak in to the opening notes of the Dave Douglas & Joe Lovano Quintet, one of the invited bands.

Meanwhile the stage is prepared for the Wayne Shorter Quartet. Time to stop live blogging and join in for a "Happy Birthday, Wayne". In this moment of celebrations my thoughts are with another great man, Madiba. It gets quiet, the light fades out ... here comes the Maestro to receive his tribute - standing ovations!