In the times we currently find ourselves, where a horrendous and deadly virus has already claimed over 60,000 American lives, I take some comfort in assembling aspects of the Around the World puzzle which are not only famous American landmarks, but which also speak to me as a way to unite the world in common cause — freedom with the Statue of Liberty and now the UN Building – a true representation of global peace and hope.

I absolutely loved putting this building together, and thought when I first started setting aside its pieces that it would be one of the most fun ones to assemble – and I was right. Don’t you just love it when that happens? Hee hee What I’m really loving about this puzzle as I assemble is that I am learning for the first time, or re-learning due to my aging brain, about some of the world’s most interesting and unique landmarks. For example, I didn’t know (or maybe I just don’t remember) the UN actually sits in International Territory. It is NOT an official part of the United States! Who knew! The site is owned by the United Nations, and no federal, state or local officer or official of the United States may enter UN Headquarters except by consent (and with restrictions) agreed to by the Secretary-General. There are also agreements with the United States which prevent the UN headquarters from being used as a refuge for people attempting to avoid arrest. And also interestingly, the UN has it’s own fire fighting and security services as well as it’s own post office branch.

The Hollywood Link: According to the UN.org website, the first movie given permission to film in the UN building was Sydney Pollack’s 2005 film, The Interpreter – a political thriller featuring Nicole Kidman, a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Fund for Women.

Then in 2009, another first. Mega popular TV show Law and Order: Special Victims Unit became the first network television show allowed access to film within the UN building and was featured prominently in an episode featuring children and refuges.

I was also excited to see this was a building which allowed me to add another two unrelated picture elements, albeit very small ones. I always love it when I am able to make connections like that. I think it’s probably one of my most favorite parts of assembling a puzzle. What’s yours?

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References: https://news.un.org/en/story/2009/03/293442-law-and-order-becomes-first-tv-series-filmed-un-hq