Went into NYC today to go to the “Darwin” exhibit at the American Natural History Museum on Central Park West. Visited the Marine Mammals Hall, the Biodiversity Hall, the Eastern Forests Hall, and some of the anthropological studies halls before the exhibit.
In the exhibit, I saw the first Evolution Tree Darwin ever drew, and some of the many animals that changed how he saw and viewed the world. It was pretty impressive. Most impressive was the fact that he did most of his collecting with only a telescope, a theodolite, a microscope and a magnifying glass.
After that, we went to dinner at a restaurant called “La Boite en Bois.” I’m not sure where it is, but I had Mussels Marseillaise, and Salmon in Herb Crust with Tapenade, and Tarte Tatine for dessert. Chardonnay was my wine.
After that, Mom Dad and I went to see Gounoud’s Roméo et Juliette, a delicious opera in French. Most of the time I thought the opera was in Italian, and I had no idea what was going on. After a few minutes, though, I realized it was in French and then I began to be able to follow it. The set had an astronomical theme to it, with an Orrery hanging over the stage, and a Zodiac dial set into the floor which rotated. A huge door across the back of the stage would open to reveal photos from the Hubble Telescope. Finally, during the lovers’ double duets in Juliette’s chamber, their bed hung suspended among the stars. It was awesome.
