The Darwin finger puppet

You'll be pleased to know that Al arrived back safe and sound yesterday, tired, groggy and hungry but otherwise good! After 10 days in the US summer he couldn't believe how cold it has been here, and spent the day in his thermals, taking his temperature and declaring that he was sick - he had the chills. (I'm so cold, I can't get warm ...) No sweety, you don't have the chills, it's just REALLY cold!! My sis phoned last night and told me that there had been snow on Pirongia, which is a small mountain a couple of hundred miles south of here. Now that doesn't happen very often.

The entrance to Central Park

He has kept us entertained with stories of the wonders he saw there, especially in New York. He stayed in the Lower East Side, which he loved, because of the diversity of people there. There was the burly guy with the beard and mustache strolling down the street wearing a latex French maid outfit. Al was obviously quite taken with him because although the 'maid' was walking with a friend, Al can't remember how the friend was dressed. Heck, he can't even remember IF he was dressed.

He was also very impressed with the Museum of Modern Art, and came back with many photographs of indescribable Jackson Pollock pictures (can you tell I'm not a fan!!). The American Museum of Natural History was also a highlight, with magnificent displays of animal taxonomy (see photo below).



He was too stingy to visit the Darwin exhibition although he did visit the Darwin Shop. And it was here that he spotted what must be the highlight of his visit to New York - the Charles Darwin Finger Puppet. That's right, your own little Charles Darwin!! They also have Darwin dolls, but somehow the finger puppet seems much more appealing. I can't believe he didn't buy me one!