Now I have the tiny TV set to PBS. The New York station is running the same "Nature" special as is the Phoenix station we receive via cable, all about the plight of the salmon. They are trying to undo the damages the dams have done, so salmon can have healthier populations.

Wednesday, May 24, 2012
"First Day"
5:59pm

As I hear the sound of rain pouring down, I'm glad I headed back to the hotel when I did.

The morning began very muggy. I was disappointed to find I'd forgotten a toothbrush. Fortunately, there's a nearby drugstore, and my forgetfulness was remedied.

I was able to catch a cab to the Met museum, and I was glad I did. For no sooner than I got in the cab, the rain started pouring down. It thundered, even. Because of the rain, more people opted for cabs, rather than for a stormy walk to the subway. Consequently, the traffic was terrible. A trip I remember costing $15 in 2009 cost $25 on account of the delays.

Just as I entered the Met museum, I heard one very loud thunder crack. Perhaps Set was having a loud proclamatory comment!

Colossal Statue of a Pharaoh Egyptian, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Amenemhat II (ca. 1919-1885 BCE) Granodiorite, from Tanis (eastern Nile Delta) Lent by the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus collection of Berlin

After photographing the huge Amenemhat II statue, and becoming a member (cheaper in the long run), I made a beeline for the "Dawn of Egyptian Art".

I did sneak in a photo of a piece from the Ashmolean said to be Set. It's his snout, all right. However, the ears and tail had been attached separately and only the three holes gave clue to where they had once had been.

Model standard in the likely shape of the Set-animal Pink limestone, length 4.3cm Naqada IIc (ca. 3450 BCE), Naqada, grave 721, from Petrie's excavations Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, #AN 1895.138

After lunch of baked tilapia, black beans, a tiny bit of rice and carrot juice, I felt revived.

I headed over to the regular Egyptian galleries, but, alas, they weren't so regular. Some construction causing harmful vibrations was going on below the exhibit area. Hence many fragile pieces had been removed and some areas were closed off.

Just the same, I got many good photos of pieces whose previous photographic attempts had been bungled. Also, I got different views of some pieces. And I caught some new ones, too.

Recumbent Lion Egyptian, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, ca. 2575-2465 BCE Granite, muzzle reconstructed, from Ihnasya el-Medina (Herakleopolis Magna) Purchase, Anonymous Gift, in honor of Annette de la Renta, MMA 2000.485 On the large, vertical block of relief, Niankhwadjet inhales the scent of a lily (aka 'lotus'). Elements from the False Door in the Chapel of Mery's Mastaba First half of Dynasty 4 (2575-2520 B.C.) From Saqqara, Limestone

By this time, it was 3:00pm, and I was tired. I went back to the cafeteria for more of that tilapia and beans, in hopes it would revive me to see more.

But after my hunger was satisfied, and I headed to the upper floor, a little voice inside my head (yes, the Ba voice, with wings), whispered, "You really ought to visist the Met store, and get that exhibition catalog, and head home!"

I listened. I was able to save 20%, so it was worthwhile.

I hoped to get a cab home, but every cabbie said they were done for the day. The morning rains had no doubt made their day long and tiring, (although profitable). Glad I'd taken notes on subway return, I trudged the long way to 86th St. and three blocks over. After missing one possible train, I caught the next one going to Union Square. I was so glad to emerge within walking distance of the comfy room.

After taking time for another protein filled, relatively lo-carb snack, not much longer after I was in and safely dry, the rains began again.

All the lovely Matisse pieces in "The Steins Collect" will wait for tomorrow.