1st June 2005 contd..

It has been ages since I have blogged or sat at my computer for recreational activites other than Stickcricket. In case you have missed this phenomenon and idly sitting at home try it out at www.stickcricket.com.
As I have a lot to update on I shall go back to the night of the 1st of June,2005.(This sounds like some crime thriller or mystery book probably because I saw Usual Suspects yesterday night. Nice movie Kaante was a poor imitation of it)
After I got ready and finished listening to Bill speak about increased interdependence in the world in terms of security, trade and health and the growth of NGO's we retired for dinner.All this was taking place in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. Its a huge building very imposing and has some of the most amazing collections of impressionist paintings in the world. They obviously re-opened the museum for us and after this talk we had dinner inside the museum at an exhibit called the Temple of Dendur.
The Temple of Dendur was built by Caesar Augustus in 15 BC when he had occupied Egypt. The entire temple (albeit small in Egyptian terms) was given to the USA by Egypt in 1965. It occupies this enormous hall (the size of my school auditorium, the new Essar one at Modern). There is a slightly raised square platform the size of a tennis court on which Temple of Dendur is exhibited. Around the perimeter of this platform is a gutter of water which gives it a nice touch.
The entire exhibit was lighted for us and we sat on the platform really close to the exhibit and had dinner. Absolutely great feeling!! It was fantastic just to be able to sit up that close to the exhibit but the lighting,soft music and ambience created just produced a very heady feeling. The lightheadedness was only enhanced by some lovely wine. Our waiters had been ordered not to allow our glasses to be empty. So, after every couple of sips they were refilled. Very nice wine, a Savignon Chardonnay from France and some Red wine from Jordan. Hmm...
I met some very interesting people at my table. Jeff who was a guy studying government in Georgetown or something. Doreen sat next to me which is always reassuring. Then met this lovely lady who had just finished her PhD from yale. Sweet german woman who was obviously there to have a great time. We chatted a bit about her work and other stuff. Also, there were some Oxford guys who were from my year I was meeting for the first time. Imagining going all the way to New York to meet someone from Oxford.
After the three course dinner (which was horrible vegetarian stuff..raw and boiled veggies) we had open access to the Museum's French Impressionist's collection. Marvelled at the collection of Cezanne and Monet's (amma dont drool!!). Also was really impressed by Rodin's sculptures. Its the first time that I had seen them. The "Thinker" and "Gates of Hell" were such amazing bronze sculptures. It was fantastic to see someone able to carve the entire curve of a hunched person so smoothly. Even the emotions and just the detail of the sculpture just brought the whole sculpture to life. Unfortunately, I did not take a single photograph. I thought I can always come back and see it.
Ok, enough writing. Now for some photo blogging.