YOU MUST JAY WALK if you WANT TO FIT IN
The first day, we thought it was crazy the way everyone dashed out in the street, just kinda dodging cars, cutting crossways at corners. It was just nuts. But now we're doin it too. It would take you forever to get anywhere if you waited for the lights to change before you cross the street.
Hoses Come In HANDY
People do pick up their dog poop. But what about all the pee? The pee is cleaned up every morning when people hose the sidewalks in front of their brownstone or shop.
UNITED NATIONS
In Central Park - it seems odd the # of white babies we see being strolled by women of every nationality in the world. DUH! It's the nannies.
FLEA On the WALL
I can't describe how intriguing it is to people watch here. You simply are amazed by what you see. But I wouldn't want to live here all the time - it is wall to wall people here.
STOOP SITTERS
Just like you see on TV shows. Last couple days has been a little warmer here. In evening and mornings, we see people sitting out on the stoop, usually as a pair, and they are just shooting the breeze, drinking wine, or playing cards.
Police Presence
At the Times Square subway station today. There were uniformed policeman stationed about every 30 feet all along the track. We haven't seen that at any other station. Sometimes they make announcements or have posters up in the subway train reminding you to report any suspicious packages. This is the post 9/11 world NYC operates in.
Voyeur on the Prowl
It is fun to walk around after it gets dark because you can see in people's windows. Our street is mostly brownstones, and quite a few of them look REALLY nice inside. Lots of original and elaborate light fixtures. One we saw had a wooden spiral staircase. Am guessing it is pretty expensive, but no real way to know just how expensive.
Best Conversationalist
On the subway today, a guy got on who was dressed in sport coat, had a briefcase, and looked quite "professional". He had the absolute most animated conversation we have ever seen. Only, he was talking to himself. It was literally a 2 way conversation, he talked, then he replied. He had lots of hand motions. NO FILTER from his mind to his voice. At first it was humorous, but then it was sad when you understood this was real.
Another Funny Train Encounter
Coming home from the cemetery in Brooklyn. The man wanted directions but he YELLED at the guy trying to help him. SLOW DOWN, SLOW DOWN. You had to be there to "get it".
Expensive Habit
The state legislature voted to add $1.60 sales tax to cigarettes on top of other taxes. That puts a pack of cigarettes in NYC at $11.00.
So There!
Guy speaking LOUDLY on his cell, as he walks down the street: "I hope your plane CRASHES over the Atlantic" Then he hung up.
Where's my Jar?
About 2 blocks from our apt is Abington Square Park. A small little oasis with flowers, hydrangeas, and benches. We were there last night and noticed saws tons of lightening bugs twinkling in the dusk! Never would I have imagined seeing lightening bugs in NYC.
Help Wanted
We've had several people ask us for directions over the last few days. Gary says we've lost the "deer in the headlights" look.
Note to Self
Don't get into the empty subway cars. If it is empty, the AC isn't working!!! And it is a bit scary walking between cars when its moving fast, especially in flip flops.
Sailing, Sailing
I keep feeling like I've been on a cruise ship. Think it is the swaying of the subway. Been here nearly 3 weeks and still haven't ridden in a cab yet.
Modes of Transportation
It is amazing how many people navigate the streets either on skateboards or razors, and lots of bikes. People do it to get around. Plus it is a common way that restaurants do delivery. It is just nuts. Can't get any photos, because they're moving too fast! It's no wonder they don't drive cars. We've seen several signs where parking is $8.45 per HALF Hour.
Have Wheels, Will Travel!
There is a nice grocer in our neighborhood. We notice they have a refrigerated bin, kinda like an ice cream bin, but on wheels. That's how they do grocery delivery. Seems no one cooks here, or if they do, they don't go to the grocery, the grocery comes to them!
Paradox
Most things in grocery are way more expensive than at home. Like lettuce cost $3.00 that would be $1.50 at home. But at the bakery bread is $1.25 that would be about $4.00 at home.
People have been nice
In general, people kinda put up a wall and don't interact with strangers. But we have had a large number of people offer to help us even when we don't ask. A lady on the subway heard us talking and advised us to get off, and take another train when she heard where we were wanting to go. Several times people have come up and just said, do you have question about where you're wanting to go.
$$$
I've spent $22 upgrading my " NY look". $12 on a fakey import China watch and $10 on a snazzy hat (100% paper, according to the label) Everyone here is wearing these hats. We're still looking for the "right" hat for Gary.
The "Man Bag" isn't just a fashion statement
Nearly the guys you see around have a bag over their shoulder. The more I got to thinking about it, I realized what you and I would toss in the backseat of the car, these guys have to carry with them, because they are walking or riding the subway to get around.
Food Network We ate at Barbuto one night, just because when we walked by we liked the vibe, the energy, and the looks of the menu. The very next night we were flipping thru Food Network, and the owner/chef of Barbuto was on TV. He was a judge on some cooking show. Jonathan Waxman. Food was very yummy.
Vice of Choice
Although the cupcakes have been good, cannoli has turned out to be my vice of choice. Gary has probably had a sorbet, sorbetto, or italian ice at least every other day....so maybe about 15 since we've been here.
Modes of Transportation
Mostly this is a "walking" city. But these are the additional methods of transportation we've seen: (note, all of these are people going down the street amongst the cars--not on the sidewalk) Razor Scooter, Rollerblades, Bicycle, Bicycle with wood bin built in front to carry 2 children, Skate Board. We saw a guy with a unicycle, but didn't see him riding it. Have not seen travel via pogo stick yet!
Southern Manners
Gary offered his subway seat to a girl (probably in 30's) on the way back from the Cloisters. She about fainted that he offered! (I have seen men offer seats to older ladies, but not so much to younger ones.) She looked at me and bragged about what a nice guy Gary is!
Movie Making
Walking back from Tribeca we saw big trucks that was a movie filming crew. The guy said the movie will come out next year and be called "Premium Rush". I'll have to look for that and see if I recognize the scenery.
Miniatures
My photos weren't good, so didn't post, but I loved the miniatures at the Forbes Gallery. Collections included: (1)Wooden Boats (like we saw in Paris at park), (2) Many tin figurines - settings included soldiers, African safari type settings, circus, etc etc.
(3) Monopoly boards (original hand created, before it was ever printed) (4) The little room that demonstrated the poem where the boy was sick and all the toys in his room "came alive"
Art Everywhere
At the Central Park Symphony Concert, Mayor Bloomberg came out and welcomed everyone. He mentioned how important the arts are to NYC, and said there are 500 galleries and 150 museums in Manhattan.
Beetles Photos
The candid Beetles photos at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in SoHo were very cool
The BEST of NY
Best Neighborhood Restaurant - The Little Owl -
Best Pizza - John's in the Village -
Best Beer (atmosphere) - The Blind Tiger Ale House -the Village
Best Beer (price) - bucket of Yinglings at the pub under the sidewalk $2
Learned the Most - The Tenement Museum -
Craziest - all the people riding skateboards in the street -
Biggest Bang for the Bucks - our seats at the July 4th fireworks -
Biggest Tax Evasion - the # of restaurants that took CASH ONLY -
Most Stereotypical - the Italians at the Gugilio festival-
Biggest Insight - the amount of wealth and philanthropy in the early days of the city-
Most Impressive - The Met -
Best Celeb - Regis, but Kelly was also VERY nice to the audience-
Best Tour - Jason Ferete @ Grand Central-
Most Historic - NY Library -
Favorite Street - Bleeker in West Village -
Favorite Building - The Chrysler Building -
Most Surprising - the number of dogs we saw on the streets -
Best thing to do at night - Sit by the river and take the LONG way home -
Best Advice - the guy on the train "even the crackheads commute"-
