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. 

Bronx Zoo

I recently took a Wednesday off to go the Bronx Zoo. I loved how the zoo is actually within a park, so that wandering its 265 acres is relaxing and feels like leaving the City. The diversity of animals more than makes up for the seeming lack of quantity, though I did highly enjoy walking all day and seeing the penguins, lemurs, and Roseate Spoonbills most of all.

The zoo also smartly focuses on the effect we humans are having on the planet and its animal inhabitants. I hope it inspires many visitors to take more care of the planet, if not just opening up an awareness to doing so. I would recommend visiting the zoo and keeping in mind that patience and respect for animals is a must!

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.  

East 180 St.

As far as I can tell, the Bronx has some of the prettiest subway art. Once the train goes above ground, it stops at platforms with colorful glass windows featuring flowers and animals that look even more beautiful in the summer sunlight. These are from E. 180 St. on the 2/5 line.

Yellow Taxis, Part II

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

Yellow Taxis, Part I

It doesn't matter if there are yellow taxis in other cities. To me, a yellow taxi is one of the most defining features of New York City, and I love capturing them often. My camera's slow shutter speed sometimes makes it a challenge but sometimes helps—by blurring the motion and capturing movement, which is also captures the city.  The speed of things here is something I've gotten used to and often like. These photos are from the past three months.