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New York: Dozen Views

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Ah, nothing like getting back home after a particularly busy and sometimes stressful time. I am happy settling into my own home  with familiar stuff and views after a five day trip t o New York City.  When I mentioned to a friend that even though my life was fraught with challenges and busy-ness, but would not be canceling a long scheduled trip to NYC, she basically, said, “You are nuts.”  I thought about it and then thought , “No, a little getaway to the big city is just what is needed.

Everyone one has  places where they go to retreat and to energize.  And while I agree that lots of times, quiet places steeped in nature are the right choices for a chance to think and rethink, get a grip on life, for me a big city packed with people and energy and sounds and smells is perfect for getting a perspective.

I love the visual stimulation.  And I find that visual stimulation distracts me totally from the challenges at hand, giving my mind a break.  I meander with my camera, looking for the quirky, the odd, the striking, the humorous.  When I return to the challenges life presents,  I can approach them fresh with new ways of thinking.

Lets just take a look at some of the fun stuff that caught my eye.  I picked twelve images to share.

 First, I thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese store who has established a major presence on Fifth Avenue.  Unglio.  Great fashion.  Love the long escalators with orange handles and fact that there’s a coffee shop in the middle of the mezzanine.  The clothes are cute and inexpensive and presented in a creative fashion.  A bit like IKEA for clothes.  Worth popping into and taking a look.

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So, the soccer world cup is a really huge deal.  Not being particularly sports oriented I didn’t know much about it but am learning.  It was fun to see the number of bars and restaurants promoting the games and that they had big screen TV’s  for watching.  And as we walked down the streets, we’d hear cheers and roars coming from the open air pubs when a rare point was scored.  I started taking photos of the signs in front of pubs and restaurants promoting fact they would be showing the game. and this was my favorite. Obviously one had to be “in the know.”

World Cup Mania

I can’t help myself.  I love fun and interesting stores, restaurants  and great window displays.  Here are a couple that intrigued me…..

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It’s probably a cliche but people watching is the best in NYC.  So….what did I see this trip?  Lots.  But caught images of the green hair and pink bow.  Wish you could see her lace socks. Sooooo cute.  And then, not too far away, I saw this traditional Japanese lady…..and then later.  What’s with the polka dots?  Hmmmm. New fashion trend?

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The weather was glorious so we meandered from the south end of Central Park up to the Reservoir near 90th.  A long walk but lots of people and activity and fun.  Baseball games.  Volley ball. Clowns.  Bubble blowing.  Laying on the grass.  Weddings.  Tourists taking photos.  Locals reading, napping and chatting.  Boat rowing.  Tons of people enjoying lunch at the Loeb Boathouse.  Hot dogs.  Street performers.  Little kids.  Big Kids. Old folks with walkers.  I don’t get tired of any of it.

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Couldn’t resist trying to snap this photo through the window of F.A.O Schwartz.  Love the little girls admiring the Zebra in her Zebra print skirt.  Hope she gets to take him home.

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And then the last image of the day.  We saw lots of wedding parties in NYC.  Actually on the roof top bar of our hotel, in Central Park at the Belvedere Castle and this couple in front of the Apple Store.  Do you think he is taking a Selfie?  Hmmmm.  What about his bride?  Shouldn’t she be in the photo too?  Sign of the times?

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Stay tuned for more from the New York experience.  I’m thinking I’ll do a post about the fabulous Architectural Boat trip we took that goes all the way around Manhattan Island.  I may do an update on the Highline as well. Lots has happened since our last visit there.  Come back to DesignDestinations.org.

And if you have a favorite destination in NYC, please post it in the comment section to share with DesignDestination.org readers. Thank you.

Post Author
Susan J. Smith
Susan's career includes writing for newspapers, lots of community work and a wonderful family life. Now she is enjoying traveling, photography and writing for DesignDestinations and Grand Rapids Magazine. She welcomes you on her journey and appreciates your comments.

Comments

13 Comments
  1. posted by
    ann stevenson
    Jun 17, 2014 Reply

    I have often used ice cream to divert myself, think I’ll try your way the next time I need to be refreshed! Love the photos esp. close up of bubbles and zebra skirt—thought Big Bird looked quite sad.

    • posted by
      Susan J. Smith
      Jun 17, 2014 Reply

      He was quite lonesome.

  2. posted by
    Judy Bereza
    Jun 17, 2014 Reply

    This post makes me “homesick” for New York. Need to get
    another fix! Loved the bubble photos – colors are incredible!

    • posted by
      Susan J. Smith
      Jun 17, 2014 Reply

      Thank you. It was fun to watch the children chase them……and to chase them with my camera. Hope you get your New York fix soon.

  3. posted by
    Margaret
    Jun 18, 2014 Reply

    I may have been the friend who said you were “nuts” to go to NYC on top of your recent return from Romania! And then, two days back from NYC, you post a blog! Whew….but you captured so many interesting photos while there, it’s obvious that big cities give you a lift. I enjoy seeing New York City from your blogs…that way, I don’t have to go there myself!

  4. posted by
    Kathy
    Jun 18, 2014 Reply

    Great photography. The self absorbed groom selfie says it all—about that relationship! Love it!!

  5. posted by
    peggy depersia
    Jun 19, 2014 Reply

    I, too, love the energy of NYC. I am always struck by the intense diversity of the city’s masses of people moving everywhere along the streets and the mix of languages that surround a person in that environment. NYC is a truly symbolic city.

  6. posted by
    Kati Boland
    Jun 21, 2014 Reply

    Love the shots of New York… make me a little “New York sick…” Always a visual treat!! Thanks! Kati

  7. posted by
    Deb Parker Mankoff
    Jun 23, 2014 Reply

    Your pictures are great and your comments remind me of everything I love about being in Manhattan; especially before July/August. However, July/August are the best months to negotiate a good price in the jewelry district if you know what you want.

    Dan and I were in the City last July to celebrate our anniversary and we had a great time!
    We had several wonderful dinners; the Gotham Grill, not new but still fabulous, Colicchio and Son’s, 85th 10th Ave, 10011, 212-400-6699 (Be sure to check the hours open and make your reservation well in advance!), Momofuku, ssam bar; 207 2nd Ave 100003, 212-254-3500 ( this is one of the many restaurants owned by David Chang). Get there before 6:30 and you can still head out for a show. Don’t bother with the five star French Le Baratin. Though the presentation is fabulous and you get to see another Randy Ortner Wave painting; we felt our personal dinning experience didn’t match the price. You don’t want to know what it cost; must have been the bottle of wine!

    Walking along Fifth Ave along the Park-one of the best places to walk as Susan reminded us, Dan and I met a wonderful street artist, Woodie Webber. We bought one of his small landscape paintings. he was great to talk with and that is the fun of walking around the city! WoodieWebber http://www.etsy.com/shop/woodiewebber.
    His E-mail is: woodiewebber@hotmail.com.

    If you haven’t explored the Museum of the City of New York; it is a small jem of a museum with permanent exhibits on the second floor and rotating and loaned exhibits on the first floor. It is a great place to go if you have been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and think you cannot stand any more museums. While at the Met, don’t forget to visit the Costume Institute, always one of my destinations along with the American Wing. Just be sure to check the hours!

    On my last visit, I re-explored many of the fabric stores on the west side; 39th,40th between 7 & 8th and was pleased to know one of my fav’s I had ordered from in the 80’s and 90’s was still in business, expanded and doing well. You have to visit N.Y. Elegant Fabrics, 222 West 40th Street, 10018. My happy new discovery was the one that carried the Liberty of London fabrics- BJ Fabrics, 525 Seventh Avenue, 2nd Floor, 10018. One of the fun things about that place are all the young people who look like they must be students at F.I.T.

    Since our youngest son has moved from Harlem to Astoria/Queens; we have been to some fabulous restaurants in Astoria. Queen’s Comfort, 4009 30th Ave, Astoria, NY, 11103 is my absolute favorite with a very quirky menu. Picture Captain Crunch as a main ingredient in one of the brunch menu items. I have eaten there for dinner as well-my first fried green tomato with a twist. see my face book page……

    I am “jonesing” for NYC!

    • posted by
      Susan J. Smith
      Jun 24, 2014 Reply

      Wow. Thank you so much for all your comments. Much appreciated. I hope as you continue to go to NYC you will add comments. Also hope you have read other blog posts I have written about New York. You may have thoughts to add to them as well.

      • posted by
        Deb Parker Mankoff
        Jul 1, 2014 Reply

        Will do!

  8. posted by
    Deb Parker Mankoff
    Jun 23, 2014 Reply

    Awww, I just spent the last hour writing out all the cool new things I want to share about the city and got a ” word press error”. so sad. I do hope my notes with restaurant names, and fabric places and fav museums show up with all the addresses and tele #!

  9. posted by
    google
    Aug 26, 2014 Reply

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    from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog?

    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things
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