Monday, January 2, 2006

Shortlived Moveable Feast

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness,"    Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities    

New York City is a city of harmonic contradictions. It's a blend of the old and the new, the exotic and the familiar, the rich and the poor...  

It does not only tell of the tales of two cities but of multiple ones. This little city can take you to all the seven continents on a walking tour. Go to Chinatown and learn something about Asia. Walk to Little Italy and get a glimpse of the European lifestyle. Visit the little galleries and shops in  Chelsea, SoHo, Greenwich and East Villages, and at Union Square to find interesting arts, artifacts, products and oddities from Australia, Antartica, Africa, and South America!   

No other city can be as divisive as NYC. Its little pockets makes you aware of the gap between the haves and the have-nots. A neighborhood in Park Avenue contrasts greatly to one in Clinton, Brooklyn or even the Lower Eastside. A lady in floorlength fur coat alights from her chauffeured Mercedes next to a dirty and unshaven homeless man on a Fifth Avenue curb. NYC showcases the many ironies of life.      

This is not a scene from Hong Kong or China. It's from NYC Chinatown. It's like going to a foreign country. Advertisements and conversations in Mandarin, Cantonese and Fookien! This place's ambience is very exotic and intoxicating!

    

This is the Cantonese chef at the chinese restaurant in Mott Street. He looks like an unhappy fellow but he sure can cook Cantonese dishes with magic!

 

Back to the English speaking side of NYC. This is in the vicinity of Times Square. Neon lights and advertisements are on 24/7. Big city atmosphere. Can be disorienting for the out-of-town visitors. A lot of neck craning to check out skyscrapers.

Yes, Virginia, Einstein lives in NYC! Darling Son with his hero at Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum. They look so charming together.

He also found my hero, Ernest Hemingway! He writes like an angel and looks like one, too. Too bad, he's made of wax and he's too big to carry on a plane.

 

The exterior of the Empire State Building. I took this because I like its contrast with the older buildings near it. This is NYC at its finest, a harmonic contradiction. The old stands proud next to the new. The rich walks in same streets as the poor.

NYC skyline as viewed from the observatory atop the Empire State Building. I did not feel like Ann Darrow in King Kong upon reaching the 80+  floor where the circular observatory is situated. I did not fear heights until I looked below. All I can think of was: "I am dead/minced meat if this breeze sweeps me off this ledge!!!"   

More to come. Stay tuned. Same station. Same Bat Channel.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are awesome.....thanks for sharing them with me....Ally

Anonymous said...

Having grown up there it is always great to hear someone else visit and listen to their descriptions.  I've become to jaded having seen it so many times.  ~ Mike

Anonymous said...

Loved the pics! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
SUGAR

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures. NY seems very like London, many different areas and many different cultures.

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

Anonymous said...

wow I love those look alike pics

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures...thanks so much for posting them, I loved them all.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures.  Looking forward to hearing more.

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh yesssss... ::sigh::  I love NYC and seeing these pictures is like an addict getting her fix.  I will have a wonderful evening now with a dealer like you.  Thank you!
Judith

Anonymous said...

Love your pics!!   It looks like you had a fantastic time.  I can't wait to see more of your pictures.  :)
Michele

Anonymous said...

Great entry -- thanks so much!
http://searchthesea.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

What wonderful photos! Thank you for sharing...Wow the wax musuem...Incredible!

Just to let you know I have been around and reading all your entries...Life just thrust into warp speed....

Looks as if you enjoyed the HOLIDAYS!!!

Peace
Jodi

Anonymous said...

Great pics! You are making me long for the city. I haven't visited in a long while.

Anonymous said...

http://journals.aol.com/chatzeekay/LifeandLessons greta pics sorry it took me so long to visti been so busy happy new year

Anonymous said...

AWESOME PICS!!

Anonymous said...

OOOh I loved NY..and thanks for the pictures...wow..i gotta take a trip soon..lol

FLAVA

Anonymous said...

Thankyou so much for stopping by my journal and leaving me a comment.  This is not my first visit to your journal and will not be my last.  Thanks for sharing you pictures.  I love the big city pics as well as the photos of your son.  My son is trying to grow his hair out right now and is getting there.  He always had it spiked.  Not quite as long as your sons yet, but getting there. lol.  Once again thankyou.  Terry Ann.  

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing some of these pictures. They are phenomenal.

~Heather

Anonymous said...

Great photoblogging!

Gabreael

http://gabreaelsbodymindandspirit.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh!  I'm loving the views you've portrayed here.  I love NYC and want to go back soon!
http://www.boiseladie.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I have always wanted to go to New York. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
They make me want to go even more!

Carolyn
http://journals.aol.com/shelt28/MyLife

Anonymous said...

what a fabulous entry!!! This one stirred memories of years gone by. I hope you had a blast and are still savoring the magic of the city! Peace~~Marc :)