New York City Impressions
November 25, 2013
No one is really a stranger to New York City. Its iconic buildings and neighborhoods feel familiar even to visitors whose only previous experience of the city is through images in movies, magazines, and photographs. This was just my second time in NYC, and for me it is a city of multi-level row houses, water tanks atop tall buildings, fire escapes, piles of garbage accumulating relentlessly, and of course, people. Crowded streets and subways, yellow taxis, and blue Citibikes. Jaywalkers. Long lines.
I spent one morning on a loop walk that took me down some streets that Frommer’s identified as “The Best Walks” in New York City. From my niece’s apartment in the East Village, I walked south to Prince Street. There I stopped in the original Dean and Deluca’s, wandered up Sullivan to Greenwich Village, and then strolled down West 4th Street to Gansevoort. From there I walked the High Line to West 28th Street, then east past the flower district to Broadway. Heading south, I passed the Flatiron Building and then walked east again to Irving Place where I had a clear view of the Chrysler Building and enjoyed the squirrels frolicking in Gramercy Park. The walk confirmed my impressions of this great city. Here are some photos:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steichen_flatiron.jpg)
These images seemed to repeat themselves regardless of where I walked.
Surprisingly, I was not discomfited by the crowds. They made me feel safe walking by myself, as I knew there were always people nearby to help with directions or in the event of a problem. I was alone, but never alone. The movement of so many people around this city is impressive.
And finally, a word of thanks to Starbucks, whose ubiquitous coffee shops were always welcome beacons when I was seeking a clean bathroom or wi-fi connections.
What Do You Do with Out-of-Town Guests in Seattle?
August 23, 2012
My siblings are a far-flung bunch, and I always enjoy their rare visits to Seattle. Out-of-town guests give me an excuse to play tourist in my home town and to re-visit my favorite places. It’s no surprise that I’ve blogged about most of these excursions already (links to past posts included below).
Here’s a list of things I did with my sister and brother-in-law — what else would you have included?
- Explore the backdoor of the city by walking along the Ship Canal and the Elliott Bay trail, with a stop for breakfast at the Bay Cafe in Fisherman’s Terminal
- Walk through the Olympic Sculpture Park
- Tour Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Have a picnic at Golden Gardens and watch the sunset over Elliott Bay
- Visit Jello Mold Farm in the Skagit Valley
- Ferry to Whidbey Island and hike on Ebey’s Landing
- Spend a morning at the Pike Place Market with a stop at the Gum Wall
- Savor the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. We enjoyed lattes from Zoka’s Coffee Shop, salmon, steamed clams, fresh peaches and cherries from the Olympia Farmer’s Market, dinner at the Green Leaf Vietnamese Restaurant, Fran’s chocolate Gold Bars and truffles, homemade blackberry pie, and pizza at Tom Douglas’s Serious Pie (among other things).
Walking the Color Wheel: Seattle’s Summer Greens
July 25, 2012
“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”
— Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Spanish poet
Santa Sighting at Starbucks
December 19, 2010
I was at Starbucks enjoying a cup of coffee and writing a letter to my sister, when Santa Claus walked in! I never knew he was a patron of Starbucks, but I’m not surprised. I suppose like many of us he, too, needs caffeine to carry him through the long dark days of winter.
Creating Rituals
October 24, 2010
Yes, there is something comforting about rituals. Some people seem especially gifted at elevating small everyday activities into momentary celebrations.
My branch of the Seattle Public Library is open seven days a week, and very few of us really want to work Sundays, giving up a precious weekend day. Two or three staff arrive extra early on Sundays to get the branch ready to open, and one of my colleagues makes that morning into a special occasion by buying the early birds coffee. It is such a sweet, generous gesture, and it really helps to lighten the day.
Thanks, Patti!