Day 48: Fire at the 4Knots Music Festival at South Street Seaport.Woodstock Reflections.
I was invited to the VIP Party by the Village Voice today, 1-8PM, on Pier 16, and brought my friend, Patti, as my guest. We were close friends in high school and although we may be out of contact for long periods of time, our connection is strong. We were hired to be counselors together at a camp the summer of Woodstock.
We both have been married, divorced and have children of various ages. Patti is a doting mom and gives until there is nothing left and then gives some more. I am the same. However, I divorced my kids for the day to be at the music festival without having to tend to them in any way. I was free. Patti got pulled in many kid directions until I told her to quit it.
Sitting on the party boat in a great people watching spot, I asked Patti how old she felt behind her eyes. Did she still feel like a sixteen year old, like we were that summer of Woodstock, as I did? She didn't. Then some one said there was a fire and we watched from the side of the boat as Pier 17, where the stores and restaurants were housed. We saw a smoky fire on the first floor that seemed like it was coming from underneath the dock. It burst into tall flames and spread fast. It seemed a long time before the fire boats came and put it out. We were all mesmerized and exhausted by the chaos.
The festival was packed as we made our way out to leave only to be blocked by the three alarm fire trucks. The top story in the news was the fire just like when Woodstock closed the NY Thruway. Being there was exciting at any age.