In the midst of the spring bloom, there are the athletes among us who just gotta go fast. I saw him from the corner of my eye and waited for him to skate into my frame. Gotcha!
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Tulips
There is a spot in Central Park where there are some spectacular displays of tulips. It doesn’t appear every year. But this year they were in full splendor. And what is better than painters catching an artful interpretation of the display? So I ask why their easels were set up before the tulips and at the top of each easel was a picture (not this scene) from which they were referencing. Did I miss something? They are painting a picture in front of a real scene of beauty. Hey, it’s a way to go, I guess.
More Central Park
The cherry blossoms always stand out. It is hard to decide whether to go with a close up or get a view of the whole tree in bloom. Folks are all about getting shots of the color. Others are out to make a few dollars. I have lately been taking pictures of people taking pictures.
It’s all special because it happens for only a few short weeks. If you are lucky enough, you will be there to enjoy it.
Central Park
The south entrance at Columbus Circle is my usual path into the park. There are always vendors of art and hot dogs. Lately there are pedi-cabs, which cost a pretty hefty price per minute. There are the horse drawn carriages. Yes, it’s a part of tourist New York.
It’s only a few short weeks when the blossoms add their spectacular color in the spring.
Near the southeast corner of the park is a bridge often photographed. And it seems there’s always a Yankees fan always about.
The bridge as I said is a popular photograph. So I tried for something different. I didn’t know koi fish could winter in Central Park.
Mailbox
I don’t remember when I last saw one. And I haven’t mailed a letter in forever. I’ve been to the post office to pick up registered mail. Otherwise I don’t know the cost of a stamp. And they tell me now that the stamps don’t have a price on them anymore. They are good until you use them. Hmm… I think the last time I bought a stamp it was about 43 cents? And that was a while ago. Well, with the post office in the pickle it’s in, mailboxes have disappeared from most corners. And soon this will be a collector’s item.
Hot Dogs
Hot dog stands are New York. You don’t really encounter them too much elsewhere. Somehow they do a brisk business. Everyone seems to survive. It’s quintessential NYC.
Street Photography
You walk around and mostly people blend in. This gal stood out. She walked by a construction site and got the usual glances and stares. That was expected. But other passersby also took notice enough that I noticed too. Well, to be honest, the dress is too tight and the hips a bit too plump, but there was something that just made everyone look.
Broadway
Shows, marquees, people, it’s all around you. Even early in the morning there’s action on the block. The Stardust Diner is right next to the Winter Garden Theater. Broadway is an avenue with theaters nearby to Times Square. It’s not a place. And most picture’s look like Times Square. Most tourists think of musicals and certainly Spiderman packs ‘em in. But there is some serious drama that’s present too. So many theaters, so many seats, so many shows – and it’s all full night after night.
Souvenir
That’s one thing that Saudi Arabia doesn’t have. There are no souvenir stores. No T-shirts with Saudi logos, no hats, no nothing because there are really no tourists. There are folks who travel to Mecca, but it’s an entirely different kind of trip. Tourists are really discouraged from coming to Saudi. You need an invitation and it’s not easy. But in NY there’s never an end to what will sell. Anything with an NY logo is fair game. It’s fascinating to see what sells because someone will buy.
Colony Records
The name says it all. It’s closed. There no records. This was a fixture in Times Square for many years. No more records, right! And it was a place for sheet music. I remember we stopped for Suzuki piano lesson music. Yup, it was a big hangout for anyone who needed hard to find things. There was a write-up before it closed. Now it’s a storefront waiting to happen.
