Back in NYC

So much packed into a three-day visit. Some favorites: the windows at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, the delicious lunch at Hummus Place in the Village on Christmas Day, the Art of Style at the Met (accompanied by a Chopin piano piece arranged for strings), and the colors and lights all over the City.

Weekend

From a busy weekend with some great moments, even though I was feeling under the weather: "Z" by Therese Ann-Fowler and the Manhattan skyline. Finding a nice reminder in Union Square and listening to the tide at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Amusing and educating myself with books from The Strand and Barnes and Noble. Finally going to The Frick. Trying banana pudding on the Lower East Side, returning to explore Economy Candy, and buying green-tea-flavored candies.

And last but not least, finding the best and most New York coffee by the High Line. (Stumptown, you've been trumped!)

Movie Night at Bryant Park

Last Monday, I realized my dream of going to a full movie night in the City. While some of us were nervous about the possible rain, it ended up working just fine. Armed with complimentary bottled water and sunglasses, we city-dwellers (and some tourists) filled the Bryant Park lawn to watch the original "Footloose" (which was preceded by the Merrie Melodies short "Rabbit Seasoning.") While the sound wasn't as focused as I would have liked, the experience of watching a movie outdoors and hearing everyone's reactions was totally worth it. My favorite part might have been the very end, when many people got up and danced to the titular closing number. I'm so happy I had this "classic NYC" experience.

Lower East Side

I haven't done a proper "NYC Photos" post of the Lower East Side, partly because I haven't spent enough time in the neighborhood. In the two weekend days I spent exploring it, I realized that the neighborhood, while grittier than East Village, does have its charms. It seems to be one of the best places to find street art in Manhattan. It also has a strong ethnic and cultural heritage, and is home to several tourist (and resident) attractions—some of which were sadly closed on weekend evenings. I may be back for candy or pickles. 

Upper East Side

I've been wanting to post a solid Upper East Side "NYC Photos" post for a while. When I decided to cross going to Ladurée off my bucket list, I thought it was the perfect time to photograph the surrounding neighborhood too.

Of all NYC neighborhoods, the Upper East Side does fancy best. There are so many beautiful architectural details to take in, both on and around buildings. And sometimes, being on the Upper East Side feels like being in Europe (or so I imagine). The buildings, compared with the French shops, the tourists or residents speaking foreign languages, and the varied consulates make it all too easy to feel this way.

NY Corners | For a long time, I saw the Upper East Side as "colder" than its west-side sister. There weren't as many families or welcoming eateries, it had seemed to me. But actually, there's a lot to appreciate here, and a lot that I have taken advantage of. There's Carl Shurz Park and Central Park to stroll, The Museum Mile to weave in and out of, ivory-covered houses to admire, and fashionable stores to visit.  

Weekend in the Village

A scheduling error led to a quieter than normal weekend, but I still found ways to make it nice. Most of my weekend was spent in the Village, where I meditated over music and life. I caught "Eden," a thought-provoking film, at the IFC Center. I drank a latte and ate a Megpie at Stumptown (fantastic atmosphere and pastries, not-so-amazing coffee).

I also found time to run and do yoga in Brooklyn, as well as to indulge myself with books by and relating to my favorite author. I'll take it.

Yellow Taxis, Part II

(continued from here) 

Yellow taxis on every corner of this big, big city.