Wednesday 23 September 2009

Day 10: Top of the World Ma! Top of the World!




Brooklyn Bridge, walking from Manhattan to Brooklyn



Brooklyn Bridge



Brooklyn Bridge



Brooklyn Bridge (ant's eye view)



Brooklyn Bridge, the road below the pedestrian/cyclist bit



Brooklyn Bridge, view of South Street, Lower Manhattan



Brooklyn Bridge



Brooklyn Bridge



Brooklyn Bridge



Brooklyn Bridge



Brooklyn Bridge, detail



Brooklyn Bridge (pedestrians walk on one side, cyclists pedal on the other - it seems to work pretty well)



Brooklyn Bridge, bronze relief showing buildings on skyline, including the World Trade Center



Brooklyn Bridge, looking towards Manhattan Financial District



Brooklyn Bridge



Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn side



Near 6th Avenue / W.49th Street



Near 6th Avenue / W.49th Street



Corner of 6th Avenue / W.49th Street



Avenue of the Americas (6th)



Rockefeller Plaza (it's not significant in any way, I just liked the dress and the reflections in the window)



Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock), on the way up


Top of the Rock bar area, where live music was soon to be played



Top of the Rock, upper observation deck from the middle



Top of the Rock, middle observation deck



Top of the Rock (this security guard spent more time taking photos for visitors than keeping an eye on security!)



Top of the Rock towards the Empire State Building and downtown



Top of the Rock (I liked the image of this guy photographing his girlfriend)



Top of the Rock, looking downtown towards Financial District



Admiring the view, Top of the Rock



Top of the Rock, upper observation deck



Top of the Rock



Looking towards Central Park, Top of the Rock



Top of the Rock



Empire State Building and downtown Manhattan from the Top of the Rock



Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock


DISCLAIMER FOR THE DAY
There are a number of annoying bits of grobble (Technical Term) on my camera's sensor which I failed to clean off today, since I only spotted them when viewing the images larger on my laptop. Therefore a few of these photos show black spots, and whilst it is totally against my high (some might say, anal) standards, I do not have the necessary software to remove these at present. Sorry!


Yet another late start, again despite waking at 6.45am, but lots of blog to catch up on, and also various emails. Needed to let Mark and George (the Greek cousins) know that I wouldn't be able to meet them again for a drink at McSorleys in the East Village, as suddenly have no time left over and too many things to do :( Was really sorry about that, as it would have been such fun to meet up again, but perhaps next time? Mark emailed back and said if I was ever in Seattle to look him up, and George emailed to wish me a belated happy birthday - thanks to you both :)

The weather looked a bit grey and overcast, but it was warm in the apartment so wore vest and jeans, with Chucks and usual cardi tied around waist in case it got nippy later. What I should have worn was: a dress and sandals, or at the very least, less-tight jeans (was in skinnies) and sandals, and certainly no cardi - god, it was hot and humid! I knew two blocks from the apartment that I should go back and change, but just couldn't be bothered and kept telling self that it may still cool down later as it did look grey in places (delusional woman), so doggedly carried on to the subway. Once there, had to buy a new ticket as my seven-day pass had expired, but to reach the ticket machine found myself having to negotiate a stream of people arriving on an inbound train, akin to crossing a very busy road. Tried to move forward through the flow, to be confronted by a young woman walking forward in an extremely single-minded fashion, saying only "excuse me, excuse me, excuse me" until I had to actually stop in my tracks and let her go. She must've thought I was a typical dithering tourist clogging the arteries of the subway with my bumbling inefficiency, when all I was trying to do was get one metre to the ticket machine. Said "well, excuse you too!" to her departing back, but doubt that she heard, and certainly cared less if she did.

Caught 6 train down to Brooklyn Bridge, found myself stuck on a local train which stops everywhere and therefore takes longer, but at least it was cool, as opposed to the underground platform which was steaming more than than the Amazonian Rainforest (as was I after my walk). Came out at City Hall and walked straight onto the mile long Brooklyn Bridge, tripod on my shoulder, and began taking photographs almost straight away. It is a wonderful bridge, and the views are spectacular, so used a combination of all three lenses (24-70mm, 70-200mm and 16mm fisheye) to try and capture it. Used the tripod quite a few times, but the vibration from the cars passing below and also of cyclists and passers-by made it quite hard to avoid camera shake, especially with the longest lens. Had to do my best to be patient and wait for intervals in all this traffic before pressing the shutter.

A very pretty girl from Brazil asked me if I would mind taking her photograph with her camera, since I was "a photographer", and I happily obliged, and then a short distance after another girl also asked me if I would do the same for her. There were lots of other people with cameras on the bridge, but maybe because most of them were blokes these girls felt more comfortable asking me, which was nice.

At a couple of points on the bridge were bronze engravings of the skyline, showing which building was where on Manhattan. This had obviously not been changed post-9/11, because the twin towers were still there, but someone had etched R.I.P. over the top of them. Tried to capture this on film but not sure that it shows up very clearly, but I hope it can work on an enlargement when I get home and back to Photoshop, as it was a poignant testament to that defining moment in American history.

Once I got to the other side of the bridge, went what I suspected was the longest route to the subway all because I wanted to photograph a sign reading "Welcome to Brooklyn - How Sweet it is!", which then led me on down this seemingly neverending hellish sidewalk inbetween two lanes of traffic right into South Brooklyn. Was very hot in the humidity, needing a sit and some sustenance, and not impressed with the Mighty Traipse I found myself forced to endure. Eventually reached civilisation (an intersection with a map), tried to work out where the nearest subway was from there and set off in that direction praying that I had got it right, but on seeing a traffic cop asked her just to be sure. Just as well I did, since she sent me off in a completely different direction to the one I had been taking, but mercifully the subway was five minutes away and soon I found myself back inside a lovely cool train heading uptown. Planned to get off at Spring and go to the t-shirt shop again, but found self on express train which brutally hurtled through my required stop and deposited me at 14th Street Union Square instead. Oh arse! How come it is that when I want to be somewhere quickly like this morning, I end up on the local train, and when I want to be on the local so that I can get off where I choose I wind up on the express? Had to alter plans (will do t-shirt shop tomorrow) and instead went on up to Lexington/53rd where I changed onto the V train to 47th/50th Street for the Rockefeller Center.

Another of those stations which emerges into a building, this time in the heart of a complex of skyscrapers belonging to publishing houses. Was going to go straight to the Rockefeller Center, but passed a cafe on the way and thought that maybe now was the time to get something to eat - sat outside and had a three cheese and tomato panini, and a cup of delicious amaretto coffee (first discovered with the ABF in Macy's basement cafe/gourmet food section, so delish that I bought a packet of the beans to take home, and I hardly ever even drink coffee). This pit stop was a very good idea, as I felt a lot more energetic afterwards, and headed up the Avenue of the Americas (6th) to get my ticket for the Top of the Rock. Was told I couldn't use my tripod up at the top with all three legs out, but could mount my camera on it and use it monopod style instead, all for "security reasons", so had to agree (but it was frustrating when I got up there, since I had to up the ISO as the light failed, which will inevitably result in unsightly noise on some of the later shots) and went on through the x-ray machine - security is quite tight at all these venues.

There are three observation decks, each progressively higher than the last, and the bottom two were surrounded by thick plate glass with gaps every metre or so which were just large enough to point a camera lens through, but this positioning obviously limited composition somewhat. The top level was definitely the best, with no glass as the drop down was just the level below, so spent longest up there and had a lovely time taking photos as the light faded. Still incredibly hot, even the breeze was warm, and at that height this was quite something. Wanted to stay and have a glass of champagne for my last night, especially as there was live music in the bar and the evening was so glorious, but suddenly remembered I needed to check in for my flight 24 hours in advance, and this wouldn't work on my BlackBerry despite my best efforts. (Later: turns out I should have stayed, since online check-in wouldn't work on the laptop either, being mysteriously greyed out on the BA website. Will probably arrive at JFK tomorrow to find I have crap seat in a bank of four on the aisle, the one where there is no final view of NYC, nothing to lean one's head against, and complete strangers are constantly climbing over one's lap to get to the loo - on a overnight flight, this is not a tempting prospect. Wish I could afford to travel First instead of Cattle!!)

Reluctantly left the Rock observation decks and descended down through the building, after first visiting gift shop for a couple of souveniers, wistfully casting one more glance at the twinkling lights of Manhattan and the surrounding area, looking quite amazing in the inky blue dusk - at that moment I loved New York so much I wanted to cry, knowing that 24 hours from that moment I would be heading back to Blighty. Yes, there are lots of good things to go back for, but I really, REALLY love it here, and if there was ever any opportunity to live and work here I would take it in a hearbeat, I know I would.

Another hot and sticky journey uptown, the camera bag and tripod now feeling really heavy around my neck and shoulder, to finally get back to the apartment around 8.30pm. Fired up laptop immediately and tried disasterous attempt at online flight check-in, then Cecilia came up to give me back my security deposit, and told me that I could stay in the apartment until 3pm tomorrow, which was supremely helpful as it means I can go out for last bits in the morning and then come back and pack them properly. I'm sure that she asked her cleaner to come in later to accomodate this, so thanks very much C, your help is greatly appreciated :) She said to keep in touch via email now and then, and if she didn't see me tomorrow then to have a safe journey back home .... but don't want to think about home just yet .....


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Tuesday 22 September 2009

Day 9: By Grand Central Terminal ..... I Ran Round and had a Jolly Good Time*



From the Blogging Desk of your NYC Correspondent


My angelic t-shirt :))


68th Street Hunter College subway (my stop)


Stepping out from the Chrysler Building onto East 42nd Street


Looking west down East 42nd Street


Chrysler Building, East 42nd Street


NYPD cop on corner of East 42nd Street and Second Avenue


East 42nd Street (now forgotten which building this is, but I liked it)


Outside the Helmsley Hotel, East 42nd Street


Chrysler Building, East 42nd Street


East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Entrance to platforms, Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street (bit of a far cry from Victoria!)


The iconic clock at Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Fellow tourists at Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Mailbox, Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal ticket office, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal and Chrysler Building, East 42nd Street


Grand Central Terminal, East 42nd Street


One of the two lions Patience and Fortitude outside New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue


One of the two lions Patience and Fortitude outside New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue


Earl Anderson, outside New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue


Chess players in Bryant Park, E.42nd Street


Chess players in Bryant Park, E.42nd Street


Times Square


Times Square


Times Square


Times Square


Times Square


Times Square (not where I expected to find US Armed Forces recruiting station!)


Times Square


Times Square


Only in Times Square could the NYPD look like this




*apologies to Elizabeth Smart, author of "By Grand Central Terminal I Sat Down And Wept"

More catching up with blog backlog this morning, after losing web connection, which takes ages as I now have to sit huddled in armchair over the modem using my knees as a desk, with my laptop connected directly to the short network cable since wireless no longer functions. All rather frustrating, and not particularly comfortable as PC gets hot (contrary to popular opinion they are not supposed to be used on one's lap) and I hate not being able to use a mouse - this trackpad thingy gives me RSI! Couldn't even begin to look at emails, it was so late by this point and I get in a real twitch if not "out there" in the city, doing things, taking photos, crammimg it all in!!

Caught the subway downtown to Grand Central Terminal this morning, exited onto East 42nd Street via the Chrysler Building and walked a couple of blocks east just to have a look and take some photos. Lots of cops on every corner, whooping sirens, barricades across various points of the road, all to do with the United Nations General Assembly I think, and was creating a general air of busy importance (or maybe that's just Midtown Manhattan for you).

When I reached Grand Central, I asked a couple of cops standing on the concourse if it was okay for me to take photographs whilst using my tripod, they said not unless I had a special permit, which could be obtained from the Station Master's office, so off I duly went. Spoke to a nice young man called Corey, who rang someone else who I had to speak to on the phone, and she gave me the rules (no tripods on stairs, no access to the platforms, no blocking throughways) to which I readily agreed, and then I was given my pass which I had to stick prominently onto my front. I had two hours, which I thought sounded plenty and possibly too much, but I ended up using all that time as I proceeded through the wonderful 1913 Beaux Arts station taking lots of photos and experimenting a bit with long exposures to make the people blur, to try and add to the sense of bustle in the station. A lot of this is very hit and miss, so was not happy with many shots, but it was a very satisfying two hours. An Irish woman from Cork came over to me at one point and said "I love your tee! I could see you from all the way at the top of the stairs - where did you get it?", told her it came from David Ferrara the T-Shirt Guy on Spring and Wooster in SoHo (I had it printed while I waited, I think Tuesday last week, forgot to mention but it is black with white angel wings on the back). A New Zealand woman visiting her son (who lived there) asked me about my camera, and then said that mine was "the best Pommie accent she'd heard all week" :))

By the end of my time, I was quite tired from hefting round the camera gear (yet more people today have remarked upon it, but why, it's only a camera?) and went up the stairs to Jordon's Steakhouse on one of the balconies overlooking the station concourse. Gratefully sat down and ordered the All Star Burger with crispy french fries (although it was a close run thing with the Louisiana Crawfish Chowder with potatoes, corn and pancetta) with a white wine spritzer, which I then greatly enjoyed when it arrived. After this very late lunch, I returned to E. 42nd Street and headed west across town to the New York Public Library to see the lions Patience and Fortitude again. Last time I was there it had just snowed and was freezing cold, so today was a real contrast - it has been overcast but surprisingly warm, and although I took a cardigan this time it has spent the entire day being tied around my waist and not worn. While I was taking photos of the lions, fiddling with the tripod, and generally concentrating on the task in hand, I was vaguely aware of someone trying to attract my attention, but it was only when I heard "yo! skinny girl!" did it properly register, but he still had to say something else before I turned round - honestly, am in another world when I am taking photos, I try not to be and remain aware of my surroundings and who is around, especially in a big city like this. It was a guy sitting in one of the many green wooden chairs dotted about outside the library, chatting on the phone, who simply wanted me to take his photograph, so I obliged and promised to email them to him. Earl Anderson, if you are reading this I may not be emailing photos until the weekend, but you will get them I promise!

Returned to E. 42nd Street with the intention of walking down to Times Square, but was drawn first into Bryant Park behind the library, which featured lots of chairs and tables, blokes sitting around playing chess under the trees, a reading area complete with shelves of books, and a couple of ping pong tables too. All of these features were being well used by New Yorkers, it was a very sociable and friendly place, yet something which I can't quite imagine transplanted into London - I think that the books would get vandalised, the ping pong would be sabotaged, and the chess would be nicked and sold on eBay - am I a terrible cynic or what?

Finally down to Times Square, which totally puts Picadilly Circus to shame, in terms of sheer size and gaudy glowing-ness (there's that thing that the ABF is always on about AGAIN: everything over here is Bigger and Better), which was mobbed with people (an odd mix of tourists and Suits hurrying home from work), cacophanous with horns, sirens and police whistles, and much more fun than I expected it to be. Used the fisheye lens to get some dramatic, all-encompassing shots, fended off yet more comments on my camera equipment, then tried to find the 7 train across town from Times Square, the most enormous and confusing subway station I have yet visited in New York. Got it eventually and headed back to the apartment to catch up on blog, still a day behind from yesterday as the web being down all weekend has completely messed up my schedule. Saw an excellent t-shirt on a young lad coming back, it read on the front "I'm not a doctor, but I'll take a look anyway" - I wonder if he gets many girls taking him up on that offer?!


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