It was raining on Monday morning in New York, one of those unpredictable rains that go back and forth from a light drizzle to a steady downpour. In Midtown near Grand Central Terminal, a hurried crowd of umbrella-wielding pedestrians made getting anywhere in the rainy gloom a little treacherous. Under the scaffolding on some blocks, in narrow makeshift passageways, you had to be extra mindful of the umbrellas as individuals opened and closed them without warning. As Midtown is a workaholic area, many workers were also carrying tall cups of coffee. So between the umbrellas and the coffees and the fast pace, any casual sightseeing proved nearly impossible. The sound, too, was deafening, as piercing jackhammers mingled with sirens from fire trucks and police vehicles. Steam was rising in places on the street. It was the sort of dank atmosphere that could send shivers up your spine or give you pneumonia. I was on E. 43rd Street, just east of Lexington, on my way to a meeting, and I wa
A strolling guide to New York City by Teri Tynes