United Nations and Rockefeller Center

If you were a kid, how would you respond to the question, "We have the whole day together. We can do whatever you want!"

Well, if you're Bryson, you would answer, "United Nations."

And so Bryson and Scarlet were the only kids there. We saw all the rooms where conferences are held and who held what seats and why. 

I must have learned this somewhere but somehow forgot. Apparently, the 5 permanent countries with seats are China, France, Russia, UK, and the US.

When the tour guide asked, "Questions?" I of course looked at Scarlet and Bryson expecting them to reply. 

Scarlet raised her hand, "Do you like being a tour guide?" The guide nodded, "Yes!"

I waited for Bryson to ask a question, but instead, he told me, "I don't have any questions. It makes sense now why we can't have peace in Ukraine or the Middle East. It's set up to fail."

I guess I could see why he didn't have any questions? 

After the UN, we headed to the Rockefeller Center for another tour (I know, I must have been excited about setting up the tours). We learned how John D. Rockefeller commissioned the complex.

Bryson, "Figures that power built this city. I wonder if Rockefeller built the UN too."

Hmm. I had no idea so I googled it and voila, here's what I found...

Land donation

In 1946, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donated 17 acres of land in Manhattan to the United Nations. The land was located along the East River and was chosen for its easy access to counterparts for American diplomats and the ability for U.S. intelligence to monitor foreign officials.

I guess that's what I get for having Bryson read my Economist magazines...