BELATED POSTCARDS

During your travels, have you traveled to a World's Fair? Have you dreamed of all the fantastic displays, unique architecture, shows, and awesome sights? While the views from the Space Needle and the Tower of the Americas were absolutely amazing, my journey to these sights, occurring years after the actual World's Fair events. However, fifty-seven years ago, there was a trip. It was our senior year class trip. Come ride back in time with me.

Back then, babysitting and reading kept me busy. Reading everything that was available about New York's World's Fair, my thirst for information was insatiable. It was 1964. It was my senior year. As always, the school would begin the day after Labor Day.

Conveniently, our senior class trip was scheduled for October before the cold weather. It was too early in the year for an Indian Summer. Nevertheless, the weather was warm and beautiful. We didn't need coats but a sweater or a very light jacket for the chill of the evening air.

Leaving our high school early morning, it was only a four-hour trip by bus to New York City. Remembering the first sights of the skyline of the city, my heart and mind were filled with excitement and enthusiasm. The skyline was impressive. Our accommodations weren't luxurious. Who cared. We were in New York City!

Surprisingly, we did meet a celebrity on the streets of New York City. He was playing in the musical Golden Boy that opened or was about to open on Broadway. Sammy Davis, Jr. spent a few minutes with us. Unfortunately, over time, my autograph was lost. My snap is evidence of that day.

On the first day of our trip, the buses would take us to the United Nations Headquarters. (This might not be in the correct order, but how the trip transpired in my remembrance.) In my recollection, we were in the UN lobby. Vividly, the swinging of the pendulum caught my attention. It was humongous. It was hypnotizing as it moved back and forth. Of course, we saw the assembly. It wasn't in session. The general assembly was empty. Notably, the assembly room's concave sides were spectacular. Looking up, the ceiling was overwhelming.

Vaguely remembering the Security Council, the desk almost forming a full circle in front of an impressive mural. We did a lot of walking around in the building. Afterwards, our class queued up outside as seen in the snap below.

The next day, we were on our own and spent the time lavishly at the New York World's Fair. A pedometer would have been nice to count all the steps walked that day.

Reading that Michelangelo's Pieta would be on display, the sculpture was certainly a must-see. With an interest in art, my desire to view such a well-known 15-th-century sculpture was immense. Unsurprisingly, the sculpture was at the very top of my list of sights to see. Of course, protective measures were taken to protect the Pieta, which was seen in the Vatican Pavilion. The experience didn't disappoint. (In 2004, while in Rome, we went to the Vatican City to St. Peter's Basilica and again viewed the Pieta that is an awesome and magnificent sculpture.)

Walking was my main mode for moving about at the fair, my shoes weren't as comfy as they should have been for the amount of walking that day.

Speaking of traveling, at the fair, there was the Transportation and Travel Pavillion. On the second floor of the Pavilion, a simulated lunar trip took place. Truly, my trip around a simulated moon crater was absolutely amazing. The travel and transportation industry exhibits were on the main floor. The picture below shows a small side portion of the Pavillion.

Naturally, there was a monorail at the fair. However, my recollections of actually riding on the monorail do not exist. Walking around the fair, you definitely noticed the Sinclair Oil Corporation's sponsored pavilion. It was referred to as Sinclair Dinoland. With the huge, green Sinclair Dinosaur that drew you to the Pavillion. Inside, there were replicas of dinosaurs. The 20-foot-high Tyrannosaurus Rex could open and close its jaw. Indeed, it was a memorable sight.

So much to do, there were more sights to see. Walking! Below is a snap that was taken while walking that October day.

Architecturally, General Motors' building with its slanted canopy was magnificent and one of the larger Pavilions. Inside the building, GM's ride through the future. The ride was called Futurama. Entering the ride's car, we were transported on a trip to the moon.

In my opinion, the scale models weren't awe-inspiring. Once the ride was over, my trek through the "Avenue of Progress," began. With General Motors' showcasing their research in the areas of space-age research, solar energy, and uses of metal, plastics, and fabrics, my time was limited in looking at the exhibits. In fact, my stomach decided it was time to stop for a lunch break.

Unfortunately, there isn't a picture of the DuPont Circular Pavilion. Architecturally, it was one of my favorite buildings. Indeed, DuPont's musical review, the Wonderful World of Chemistry, was my favorite show. Featuring a journey into fashions made from Du Pont fibers, the fashionable clothes were created by top designers.

Another favorite show was General Electric's "Carousel of Progress." (In 2011, my grandson made a point to tell me how he enjoyed seeing this show when we were at Disney World.)

In addition, Pepsi-Cola presented Walt Disney's It's a Small World, the ride was missed in 1964. Approximately ten years later, my family would ride Disney's It's a Small World, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Ultimately, it was late at night. The students on the bus were exhausted. Spending the whole day at the New York World's Fair, we were more than ready to go back to the hotel for some much-needed rest. Confidently, the tour guide stepped into our bus and announced, "We are going to the Empire State Building."

While not sure of the exact hour, the bus headed to the Empire State Building. Like cattle, we were herded up the elevators. Of course, at the top of the building, we were walking like zombies. Briefly, the panoramic view of New York City was spell-binding. With the lights, one could only imagine what the view would have been like during the daylight hours.

As for what happened the next morning, that day is a blur since we were exhausted from the day before.

Returning home, riding four hours on the bus, we were back where our trip began. Exiting the buses at the front of our high school, we were happy and tired teens, who enjoyed the senior class trip in the Fall before the Spring graduation. Graduating symbolized the end of the chapter, the class of 1965 was ready to open the next chapters of their lives.

By the way, thank you for riding along!

Writer's notes: Thank you for reading. If you liked it, please leave a heart. It's unnecessary to leave a tip, but if you can, it's appreciated.