"Though no longer a hurricane, "post-tropical" superstorm Sandy hit near Atlantic City about 8 p.m. ET on Monday, October 29, the National Hurricane Center reported. It packed 80-mph winds at landfall, down from 90-mph clocked earlier Monday.

In New York, lower Manhattan's Battery Park recorded nearly 14-foot tide, smashing a record set by 1960's Hurricane Donna by more than 3 feet. The city had already halted service on its bus and train lines, closing schools and ordering about 400,000 people out of their homes in low-lying areas of Manhattan and elsewhere." (These two paragraphs were taken from a CCN online report.)

We woke on Tuesday, October 30th to find the area a complete mess. Many lost homes due to floods and winds. Many were left without electricity. The City was practically shut down on Tuesday. In my neighborhood, all I saw were a few trees down and many broken branches. The plants I left on my terrace were completely destroyed.

On Wednesday, October 31st, limited bus service began. I decided to try to get to work. I left my residence at 7:45 a.m. Each Q60 bus that passed us on 63rd Drive was completely filled. Some buses were not stopping at the actual stop to let any passengers off to prevent more passengers from getting on. It was a MESS!! I finally squeezed on a crowded Q60 bus after 9 a.m. At 10:30 a.m. the bus had only gotten as far as 58th Street and Queens Blvd. There were too many cars on the road with only one passenger, the driver. A few passengers and I decided to walk over the Queensboro Bridge (59th Street Bridge, Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge) so we got off the bus at 58th Street. Once over the bridge, I walked from 2nd Avenue and 60th Street to 57th Street and 5th Avenue since there were no M31 or M57 bus in sight. At 5th Avenue, I took a bus M5 to 42nd Street. I arrived at work at 12:30 p.m.

Coming home was even worse. I left work at 3:30 p.m. and tried to take the Q32 bus home. The Q32 bus stop is about 1/2 a block from where I work. Eventually, I took a bus to 57th Street and then walked to 2nd Avenue and 60th Street and waited a very, very and I mean very, long time for the Q60. I got home after 9 p.m. The buses were crowded and at every stop there were hundreds of people waiting to get on. Some drivers avoided stopping after the bus was full.

On Thursday there was limited train service. I headed to the subway but had no luck with the buses. Since there was a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) rule established, I was offered a ride by a driver who came up to the bus stop. No car with less than 3 passengers was allowed to cross any of the bridges into Manhattan. It took 2 hours to get to 57th St. and 2nd Avenue. I came home on the subway, which was very crowded. Friday's ride was not that bad. The following week things were not as chaotic since more trains were available.

The City slowly got back to normal.

And if the Earth is really getting warmer, things will only get worse.

May 29, 2018 - Manhattanhenge: "...sometimes referred to as the Manhattan solstice, happens when the setting sun aligns with the east-to-west streets of the main street grid. The term references Stonehenge, at which the sun aligns with the stones on the solstices in England." Half of the sun is visible from some streets in Manhattan and other locations. I dropped by 42nd Street to see the show. Unfortunately, a cloud got in the way. though the sun itself was not visible, I took the photos posted below. The next time 1/2 of the sun will be visible on 42nd Street will be July 12th. On May 30th and July 12th the full sun will be visible. Due to other commitments, I will be unable to return on May 30th for the full sun show. I will have to wait until July. An incredible amount of spectators with cameras were present.

July 12th - 42nd Street, close to 6th Avenue, looking west, Manhattanhenge, full sun.

For two days every spring and summer, the sunset lines up with Manhattan's street grid, creating a beautiful spectacle. For a brief moment, the sun's golden rays illuminate the city's buildings and traffic with a beautiful glow.

What did I miss? A photo of the number of photographers in the area and a photo of 42nd Street, looking east, as an example of what the street was like with all the sunlight. I didn't take a photo of either. Damn!!

August 1, 2018 - At the National Museum of the American Indian, located at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, One Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004 - "Taíno: Native Heritage and Identity in the Caribbean
Taíno: herencia e indentidad indígena en el Caribe".

The exhibit was not extensive but what was shown caused my eyes to tear. Few of my aunts had told me that Papá Leo, my grandfather, had always said he was Taíno or part Taíno. Two photos reminded me of him, especially the one showing a family with the man wearing a hat. Granddad wore a similar hat. But as I walked the small rooms, I kept asking myself why I had not discussed our Taíno history with Papá Leo. Honestly? Papá Leo was very strict and not too approachable. We were petrified of him. Would he have sat down with me and tell me about his past, his heritage, etc.? Too late now.