We arrived at the UN at around 10:10am and passed through airport-like security. We waited in line for tickets and learned the next English tour was at 12:30. To pass the time, we viewed three exhibits - one related to the slave ship Amistad, one about malaria, and the other about land mines.
The malaria exhibit was particularly moving. This disease has been eliminated in the developed world but still plagues the developing world, particularly Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. The exhibit mentioned several ways to reduce malaria deaths, a simple way being providing nets for people to sleep in. I investigated the organization mentioned in the exhibit called Nothing but Nets. This organization has an interesting website; it shows how easy it is for one person to make a difference in this area.
The land mine exhibit was interesting and moving, too. I've heard of this issue over the years, probably as the media often covered Princess Diana when she advocated for countries to stop using mines. I learned today, however, that the mines are purposely meant to look like toys (in some cases) because those planting the mines want to maim or kill the next generation of "the enemy." Children are often the victims, as demonstrated by the pictures in the exhibit. More information on ways to help can be found at the Mine Action website. Both this website, and the one mentioned above, are associated with the UN.
We perused the gift shop and bookstore and then thought we might be able to have an early lunch in the Delegates Dining Room. We learned, however, that jeans and sneakers are not permissible. We opted for some great - and surprisingly inexpensive (for NYC) - chicken florentine soup in the coffee shop.
The UN does so much good work. I found out specifics about what they do, such as educating young people, providing shelter in refugee camps, etc. Of course, when I got home I googled jobs for the UN. There are many, many jobs here in NYC and in Kabul, Afghanistan. I think Geneva, Switzerland was the other site where there were plenty of opportunities.
In the afternoon I went up to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. According to my Frommer's Guide, this Episcopal church is the world's largest Gothic cathedral and has been in progress since 1892. (This "in progress" reference explains why the information desk person at the church told me that "the gift shop has not been built yet.")
Walking up the steps of the church, I could smell a slightly musty - but not overpowering or offensive - odor. If someone bottled this scent it would be called "Old Church." It was about 3pm when I entered and the light was streaming in through the stained glass. It was breathtaking.
The sheer size of the church is amazing. Frommer's states the nave (where people worship) is the length of 2 football fields. I believe it. The church seats 5,000 people.
I was fortunate enough to be there when a girls' choir from Washington State was performing. What a treat to wander this great church and its approximately 12 chapels (one of which has a triptych from artist Keith Haring) with the girls' voices as the backdrop. I'll never forget when I left one chapel, the sun made the area I was in look "foggy" and the voices were drifting over the columns to me. It stopped me in my tracks. I felt so peaceful. I trusted at that moment that that is what heaven will be like.
I wandered out of the cathedral in such a "zone" that I completely forgot to check out the garden, even though I had literally just asked the staff person how to access it. I stumbled across a charming place just north of the church called Artopolis (1090 Amsterdam). It had smoothies, crepes, sandwiches, coffees, salads, and baked goods. I got a smoothie and an oatmeal raisin cookie and sat outside, looking back at the cathedral, and enjoyed the wonderful weather.
I realized I went from the hell of seeing what people do to each other at the UN to the heaven of feeling God's peace at St. John's. What a day.
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