Unlikely Ping Pong Moment, Bryant Park

Lately, the Big Apple cannot do enough to provide free outdoor entertainment.  We met up with Roxie and her mom in Bryant Park, the big park-like space behind the 42nd Street library.  Not part of the City's Parks & Recreation apparatus, this is a separate not-for-profit corporation, one of many "business improvement districts" around town.

Amplified Broadway performers  sang and also danced excerpts from Broadway musicals.  It was wonderfully quiet afterwards.  Walking toward the children's book area, Ron was first to notice, "Look at that woman playing ping pong!"  Remarkable; she and her very tall partner (provided on site) were an odd couple--though not the only ones.  Do you believe this is only one of the free "amentities"  offered?  There's also Petanque-- with lessons.   Chess and backgammon boards.

Out of character for the City where everything has a price.  There is a one dollar fee for a ride on the merry-go-round, of course. 

But I missed my chance to talk with the woman in the orange sweater.  If you saw her walking along Fifth Avenue, with her vintage white pocketbook and sensible summer shoes, would you imagine her so limber at the table?  (Overheard her say to her partner, when  a ball dropped on the ground near her, "No, no, I'll get it myself!")

Where does she usually play?  How long has she been doing it?  Would I be able to get lessons from her before I move; our  retirement community has a ping pong table with a great view.   

Shoulder improved, I'm knitting again, so table tennis (my neighbors from India call it) should be within reach.  I was pretty good in summer camp.

Comments

[Hattie]

How nice! I was pretty good at what we called ping pong, but there was one boy I could never beat.
Maybe we'll have a chance to play each other some day at your retirement community!