Strawberry Fields in Central Park, NY

[ImaginePeace78]

Has anyone ever visited the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park? If so, what is/was it like? Some people have told me you 'feel' John's presence there. Has anyone gone on the 'special days' (Oct. 9th and Dec. 8th). If so, what was that like? Is it emotional for you when you're there...or is it like any other tourist attraction? I've never been there myself, but I would love to go there someday. Actually, I may possibly go this summer when I'm working in Virginia. I may take a weekend and head up there...But that is a big fat *maybe.* How far is it from Northern Virginia to New York City (by train--I do not drive). Sorry to get off-topic about asking directions... http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif Thanks in advance!
All You Need Is Love,
ImaginePeace78 (Kristi)


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You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..." ~John Lennon

Kristi's Writing Desk (http://www.geocities.com/lennon4080forever/index.html)

[Jerry]

I went to the Dakota and Central Park about 10 years ago. The Dakota is a very ominous building, and it's kind of strange looking at the doorway where John got shot. Strawberry Fields is very peaceful. There's a nice circular "Imagine" mosaic on the floor. I wanted to get a picture of me and the mosaic, so I walked up to it and kicked off some trash that was sitting on it. Only after that did I realize that the trash was actually a flower that somebody had purposely left there. I felt pretty bad, so I picked up the flower and put it back. Anyway, from what I remember, the Dakota and Strawberry Fields are right across the street from each other. And I almost forgot, I took the obligatory picture of me flashing the peace sign in front of the Statue Of Liberty.

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Webmaster - BeatleLinks.net (http://www.beatlelinks.net)

Can't wait to visit those special sites some day.http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/cool2.gif

[Rellevart]

I've been there a couple of times. The "Imagine" mosaic is definitely worth seeing; it's NOT a tourist trap, thank god, but I also can't say I've ever felt John's presence there or anything either. But then, I'm definitely not new-agey, so I don't think I've ever felt ANYBODY'S presence when they weren't there! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif

[HMVNipper]

Kristi! I live about a mile from the Dakota and Strawberry Fields and have been there many times. I generally avoid it like the plague on John's birthday and the anniversary of his death because every weirdo in creation comes out of the woodwork and makes the place unbearable at those times. (I'm not kidding about that, either! For the most part, Beatles fans are normal, but for some reason on those days all the people my friend refers to as "Beatards" come and converge on the place. You know the type, folks who have no other life!) I do go there every so often, though, on other days -- living so close I can go any time I want to. I can say it's a very beautiful, very peaceful part of Central Park -- whether I have actually "felt John's presence" is a matter of debate, but I can tell you that I know why he liked it there so much, anyway!

Train from Northern VA to NYC takes about 3 hours -- you can take Amtrak directly to Penn Station. From there you can definitely get a cab to Strawberry Fields. Send me an off-list note if you want further info or need a tourguide when and if you come, I'll be happy to help!

Hope this is of some use to you!

Susan http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/wave.gif

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Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rationalmagic.com/Rooftop/Rooftop.html (http://www.rationalmagic.com/Rooftop/Rooftop.html)

[jami]

I was just there last August. All I can say about it is, UNBELIEVABLE!! One of the most fascinating experiences of my entire life! The Dakota really is a beautiful building..... I kept looking at all of the windows to see which one was Yoko's. I did see one that faced Central Park with the white shutters. I also went into Central Park where the Strawberry Fields thingy is, and also Imagine Cirle..... that was really cool. I went in one night and they had candles and pictures all around the circle. Some bum was nice enough to tell me it wasn't very safe for me to be in there at night. Needless to say, I got outta there! I also went to Cafe' La Fortuna.... that's the cafe' John and Yoko would always visit. I think it's in one of their videos too....the one where Yoko has the big, black hat on?? There were pictures galore in there! It was all quite an experience, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

[Litl Lennon]

OOH!

At my school in eigth grade the students have the choice of going on a trip to Washington D.C. and New York City, and Gettysburg.
one of the places they visit is the John Lennon memorial in Central Park!!!
I am so wanting to go, and I know I just have to.
What an experience for a young Beatles' fan like me!

I've seen pictures of it, a very beautiful thing...
I can't wait to go!

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~*~*~*~John Lennon lives.~*~*~*~

[HMVNipper]

Yes, Litl Lennon, Strawberry Fields is very nice -- I see school groups there all the time, from all over the country. Abroad, too -- I once took some pictures for these two girls from Japan who were visiting -- they wanted a picture of them together at the Imagine mosaic. It's a really lovely part of the park, very peaceful.

I think you'll like the rest of New York City too, but I guess I'm just a little bit biased...http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/rainbow1.gif

Susan http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/wave.gif

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Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rationalmagic.com/Rooftop/Rooftop.html (http://www.rationalmagic.com/Rooftop/Rooftop.html)

[This message has been edited by HMVNipper (edited April 11, 2001 at 09:59 AM).]

[This message has been edited by HMVNipper (edited April 11, 2001 at 10:00 AM).]

[ImaginePeace78]

Oh, thanks for the responses, everyone! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif I really appreciate it. It sounds sooo beautiful! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif I think it's awesome you live a mile from the Dakota, HMVNipper! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif How cool! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif Thanks for the travel information. I'm sure I'll have a free weekend during the summer. Yeah, I've seen pictures of Oct. 9 and Dec. 8 and some of the people do look like they have no lives. LOL! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif It seemed way too crowded on those days anyway. Wow, Lil Lennon, I hope your class will get to go to NYC! I remember when I was in 8th grade, we went to Washington D.C. That was nice...but now when I'm working there this summer I'll be able to appreciate some of the attractions moreso than I did before. Once again, I'm rambling, so I'll shut up now.http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif Thanks again for the replies.
All You Need Is Love,
ImaginePeace78 (Kristi)


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You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..." ~John Lennon

Kristi's Writing Desk (http://www.geocities.com/lennon4080forever/index.html)

[bearkat77]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Arial, Sans-Serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HMVNipper:
Train from Northern VA to NYC takes about 3 hours -- you can take Amtrak directly to Penn Station.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Amtrak, noooooooooooooooooo!!! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/afraid4.gif

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Bearkat77's Beatlemaniac Page (http://bearkat77.www9.50megs.com)

[bearkat77]

Anyway, I've been through NYC once. It was the summer of 1978. I was about 2-3 blocks from the Dakota but for some moronic reason, http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/dunce.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/square.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/braintumor.gif I decided not to drop by there. Little did I know that in about 30 months I would never get the chance to meet him.
One of these days we'll find some kind of way to go there and see Strawberry Fields. As for now, I'll just have to bide my time.

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Bearkat77's Beatlemaniac Page (http://bearkat77.www9.50megs.com)

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Arial, Sans-Serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Litl Lennon:
OOH!

At my school in eigth grade the students have the choice of going on a trip to Washington D.C. and New York City, and Gettysburg.
one of the places they visit is the John Lennon memorial in Central Park!!!
I am so wanting to go, and I know I just have to.
What an experience for a young Beatles' fan like me!

I've seen pictures of it, a very beautiful thing...
I can't wait to go!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You have to get to eighth grade first. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/devil2.gif

[HMVNipper]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Arial, Sans-Serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bearkat77:
Amtrak, noooooooooooooooooo!!! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/afraid4.gif

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ummm...Bearkat, maybe the Amtrak service is really bad in Louisiana, but the Northeast Corridor service between Washington DC and New York is pretty good, and now you can get Metroliners and Acela (high speed) trains too...I've done it many times and it's been really nice and pleasant! If you have the time for the train ride, it's definitely the best way to get here from there! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif


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Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rationalmagic.com/Rooftop/Rooftop.html (http://www.rationalmagic.com/Rooftop/Rooftop.html)

[Litl Lennon]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Arial, Sans-Serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nowhere Man:
You have to get to eighth grade first. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/devil2.gif

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

i have one quarter left, and then all summer to forget.



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~*~*~*~John Lennon lives.~*~*~*~

[ImaginePeace78]

Oh no, don't scare me about Amtrak! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif LOL! Actually, it does seem nice, but it's the prices that are scary! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif The Metroline is way more expensive for one way...I checked there schedules and prices. We'll have to wait and see what happens. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/smile.gif
All You Need Is Love,
ImaginePeace78 (Kristi)

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You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..." ~John Lennon

Kristi's Writing Desk (http://www.geocities.com/lennon4080forever/index.html)

[FiendishThingie]

I finally get to go there in Autumn! (At least, I plan to!) Is it hard to find from the Dakota???

FT

Just look for the big green area with lots of trees across the road. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/grin.gif

[HMVNipper]

Strawberry Fields is directly across the street, FT, right near the Central Park entrance at West 72nd Street. It's nearly impossible to miss -- there are signs marking it.



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Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rationalmagic.com/Rooftop/Rooftop.html (http://www.rationalmagic.com/Rooftop/Rooftop.html)