AskaNewYorker: What’s going on in your life?
Adonia: My son, who lives and works here in New York, has a birthday this week. I’m from California and I came in with my best friend from high school. I grew up here in the East. We came and spent three days touring together, doing touristy things and now I’m spending a little time in the park on this gorgeous day.
Ask a New Yorker: So what kind of tourist things have you done?
Adonia: Oh, it was great. We went to the Metropolitan Museum where they have a fabulous Rembrandt collection on display now. The Metropolitan Museum is huge, so we spent about four hours just walking around. We ate lunch there. It was really a fun thing to do.
Ask a New Yorker: What else did you do?
Adonia: Well, we took the Circle Line Tour which started on Pier 83, 83rd street. It’s a three hour boat tour and costs $30. It goes all the way around the island of Manhattan. The tour guide was fabulous. The boat travels pretty slowly and he gives you the history of each section of the island. So when we were passing around Battery Park he explained that was one of the oldest parts of Manhattan. Then we came around and saw Wall Street. Then we went up and saw the UN where they were in session. We were not allowed to go into the channel that was closest to them. There were police boats all around. He told us all about the Brooklyn Bridge. A man by the name Roebling built it in the 1800’s. The first suspension bridge built in the world. Also he gave the history of the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridge. We also passed Roosevelt Island. Then the East River got pretty narrow as we got up to the top. It was really cool; all you can see is trees. All the houses and buildings are gone. Then right on the left is this tiny little cove. This is where Henry Hudson docked his boat while exploring. Then we sailed a little further up river and it was amazing how wide the river became. The Palisades loomed with green trees. It was really remarkable.
Ask a New Yorker: What does your son do?
Adonia: He came east to go to NYU,Tisch, to their ITP program which stands for Interactive Telecommunications Program. It’s a combination of computer sciences and the Arts. He works for a company now called Local Projects, a wonderful startup company, and they provide interactive design for museums that are in and around New York. They’ve done a couple in Philadelphia and one in Stockholm, Sweden, The Hans Christian Anderson Museum; I guess it was in Copenhagen…excuse me. They’re also working with the architect as a team who has the contract with the 9-11 museum, and they’re working with the park service on a project out on Ellis Island. It’s all the interactive designs which is what museums need to market to the younger generation.
Ask a New Yorker: Ask a New Yorker is a truly interactive experience…What part of town does your son live in?
Adonia: He lives over in Carroll Gardens. An Italian neighborhood, evidently. I have not visited yet.
Ask a New Yorker: You have not been to his apartment yet?
Adonia: No, but I understand he pays a fortune and it’s about the size of a closet, so it should be an interesting experience. I’m going to spend the next three nights with him.
Ask a New Yorker: You have lots of energy. May I ask, was their anything else of interest you would like to share?
Adonia: We went to see the 29th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It was a 1hr and 45 minute play, off Broadway. It was just darling. When you walked in they asked you if you wanted to be in the play. They did not pick us. We decided that we look way too average and normal; that’s after seeing the four people they picked to put up on stage.
Ask a New Yorker: So what are your overall impressions of New York?
Adonia: I’m just so impressed on how friendly people are. You people you wouldn’t expect on the subway get up and give you a seat. People offer directions. I’d come back. It’s cleaner then San Francisco. I have not seen any homeless people. I’m very impressed with the city.
Ask a New Yorker: Well with a name like Adonia there is nothing ‘normal’ or average about you. Last question: What kind of name is Adonia? It’s very unusual.
Adonia: Adonia is a Greek heritage name, and it comes from Adonis. It’s the female form of Adonis. My story is that I have a great, great grandmother who read Latin and Greek and named her Irish children variations of Greek names. Besides Adonia, there was Hermione. The name was passed down through the female line of the family. My daughter is the fifth Adonia.
