Another visit to Governor's Island

I’m having some surgery tomorrow. ( Don’t worry, it isn’t major.) I realized that I needed a bit of ocean time to keep me on an even keel before tomorrow’s events. I suppose if I were the sort of girl who had a house in the Hamptons  I would have been there today. Since I don’t have a house in the Hamptons or Block Island I did the next best thing, or perhaps the even better thing, and  my husband and I took the ferry to Governor's Island.  We had gone last summer and it was beautiful.

One of the most extraordinary things about the island for me, aside from how beautiful it is, is that once people step off the ferry they all instantly become mellow, calm and polite. Visually they all look like the polyglot that is New York but as if they traded souls with, say, Iowans.

 

Today was no different. One of the things that’s lovely about the Island is that they shift around the attractions from year to year.

 

This year one new thing was an administration building that has been turned in to art studios. Seventeen different artists get a two month gig to work and exhibit  in the building. I didn’t take photos of the work because the artists were mostly not around to ask permission. Applications will be available in the fall for artists to apply for space.

 

I immediately fantasized about working there and chose this room.

 

I love the odd shape and the view of the harbor. I am currently ignoring the rotting ceiling and the smell of damp plaster. A girl can dream.

One of the big attractions this year was a collection of antique French carnival rides and attractions.  Many of the rides are functional. There is a small charge for the rides.

A beautiful pavilion was set up in the middle of the rides, complete with a singer singing Edith Piaf songs.

This is what you saw when you looked up at the ceiling of the pavillion.

I just love the lights.

You could also play carnival games.

The island has spectacular views of the city.

But at the same time, it feels like very far away from the city.

We took the ferry back to Manhattan.

And then got on the subway.

at South Ferry and went home. I enjoyed my afternoon at the seashore.