Under Siege

I have never seen so many policemen in my life.

I didn't think there were that many policemen in the world!

For that matter, I have never seen so many secret service people, foreign and domestic. And outside, on the streets, the white and blue police cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, and tow trucks in the city, too numerous to count,; black suburbans and black town cars were the car of choice this week.

I had been in New York City a couple of years ago when then President Bush addressed the General Assembly. I had unfortunately not tuned into the fact that the UN was in session and foolishly driven into the city. It took me over two hours just to drive across town!

The security was tight then but nothing compared to the security this year.

I had to be in the city for some scans, blood work and doctors appointments at the beginning of the week. This time I chose to stay in Westchester and take the train down each day. Smart choice!

Our apartment is one block down from the Waldorf Astoria and Intercontinental Hotels, where the President and other foreign dignitares stay. And we were under siege.

Sunday began the unannounced removal of all cars, legally parked on 49th. And the concrete barriers and steel barriers were installed all around 49th and 50th on Lexington and Park. No one was allowed through. Five policemen on every corner. And men in ill fitting dark suits, all with ear pieces and shirt sleeve two way radios. All lurking, watching, walking, observing, assessing potential danger. All on high alert.



Surveillance for this event, is set up just outside our apartment. One white van which can not be looked into. But something very special on the inside. The K9 unit did its patrolling of the blocks around the area. And one day a U Haul van showed up for the whole day which surprised me. The doorman said that really wasn't a functional U Haul, but a decoy. Our street was lined with police cars and black suburbans carrying stern looking men with bulges on their sides. Police motorcycles were stationed around the corner.





The Waldorf and Intercontinental were completely cordoned off. And one could not walk down 49th street. Armies of black police tow trucks were lined up in case something had to be dragged off the street quickly. Police were even guarding newspapers stands and restaurants.



A couple hundred Tibetans were loudly protesting for their right to be free. They set up under great police scrutiny down the block on Park, where all dignitaries would be driven on their way to the UN.





I left on Tuesday via Grand Central Station. That historic and beautiful structure was guarded by yet another security force. The Army. Yes, it was the Army's job to secure and protect this grand old lady and her guests. Guarding every entrance to every street and every avenue. They had their pistols strapped to their legs and flack jackets protecting their chests. No automatic weapons though. I guess they didn't want to really scare all the commuters and visitors that were passing through that magnificent building each day.

Those three days were filled with sights and sounds. I heard so many different languages, nothing new in New York City but there seemed to be so many more different dialects. Yes, the Chinese, Spanish, French and German were present but I heard some language that seemed to have no vowels at all. And others that seemed to be so sweet and mellow with beautiful intonations. At the grocery store, Monday night, I heard some Scandinavian language has I perused the aisles.



But the real event, for me, was the drive down and back through the Adirondacks. They are beginning to dress themselves for their most spectacular event of the year, Fall. Their jewels are being attached now; the reds, golds, yellows, burnt umber, crimsons and oranges sparkled against the lovely shades of greens they were all wearing. At their feet, the crystal clear blue waters of their lakes. I don't think there is a more glorious sight in the world then the Adirondacks in the fall.



And at home, the last of my pink zinnias!