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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2015 12:34:02 GMT
T. and I both are huge Martin Short fans as well. And, I'm so glad Stockard Channing is still active. What a treat.
I have so enjoyed this virtual trip "home" and thank you and S. ever so much for your intrepid reportage. Perhaps at some point we could coordinate a trip there (in warmer weather) at the same time. We would be in the same neighborhood and have a blast! Best to S and safe travel dearheart.
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2015 13:36:58 GMT
Thank you very much, Casimira.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2015 19:06:57 GMT
I am mesmerized looking again at all of the photos of local shops. Yet even though I speak the language, I am as hesitant about going into most of them as people who visit Paris without speaking French. I just don't know the rules anymore.
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 0:20:01 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 0:53:59 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 1:32:55 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 1:58:27 GMT
Spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 2:00:19 GMT
Thank you, Casimira. Here are just a few more..... Next up, a taste of Soho.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 30, 2015 5:41:13 GMT
Well, I am just going to have to repeat myself, because your pictures are so wonderful -- a love song to a great city. Can't believe some of them were taking from a bobbing boat.
The sight of that big gun on the coast guard boat was chastening!
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 5:50:11 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 6:07:22 GMT
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Post by bjd on Mar 30, 2015 7:30:58 GMT
At Battery Park, what is that circular stone building that looks like a bunker? We also took the ferry to Staten Island, but I think it still cost 25 cents in 1998. Not machine gun-toting coast guard boat alongside. I do think that's overkill and it's frightening when people come to accept it as "normal". Nice to see people outside enjoying the sunshine, but it still looks really cold. When we were there, I took a picture of a Calvin Klein ad of David Beckham modelling underpants. Not too classy, but better than Justin Bieber.
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 12:10:13 GMT
Anything is better than Justin Bieber. The building is called Castle Clinton. It was built in 1811 and originally used by the military. Castle Clinton's military use was short-lived as new defenses positioned further out in the harbor were created. The Castle was turned over to the city in 1824 and a complete renovation transformed the structure into Castle Garden. For 32 years the lavish Castle Clinton served as one of America's great entertainment centers, hosting such notable events as the triumphal return of the Marquis de Lafayette to America in 1824 and the debut of famed opera diva Jenny Lind in 1850.
In 1855, Castle Clinton's role changed again when it became the first official immigrant reception station operated by the State of New York. Almost 8 million immigrants were processed here. In 1890, when the federal government took charge of the immigration process, it was replaced by a new facility on Ellis Island. In 1896, the building re-opened as the experimental New York Aquarium, displaying species from local waters and later, more exotic creatures from further afield. When the aquarium closed in 1941, the fish were moved to the Bronx Zoo and then eventually to the new aquarium on Coney Island.Source
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Post by questa on Mar 30, 2015 13:15:00 GMT
These fantastic pictures show me a City completely different to the images that I had in my mind. I am surprised at the colours in the buildings, the parks and trees, that every street was not jam-packed with cars or people and the lovely architecture of old buildings. Thanks again for showing me a different view.
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 14:46:59 GMT
I am mesmerized looking again at all of the photos of local shops. Yet even though I speak the language, I am as hesitant about going into most of them as people who visit Paris without speaking French. I just don't know the rules anymore. I am sure you could find an interpreter, Kerouac. Bjd, while its not horribly cold, days like today, when it's cloudy and damp with low temperatures, are not conducive for getting out and exploring, especially after yesterday's gorgeous weather. Questa, thank you for your kind words. I, too, have been overly surprised at what I've found in the parts of Manhattan I've explored. While I cannot yet imagine myself living here, I can see more extended visits in my future. It's certainly been wonderful to spend time with S and to see where she lives and works. I'd also like to explore more about my biological heritage. I'm interested to see what I can learn about my Mersereau ancestors who left France in the 17th century due to the religious persecutions of Huguenots, and eventually settled on Staten Island for a period of time.
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Post by nycgirl on Mar 30, 2015 14:58:11 GMT
This report has been so enjoyable. You covered a lot of my old stomping grounds. It's seeing them again through your eyes.
Casimira, I live on E. 121st St. Not a whole lot of charm in this neighborhood, but it's serviceable. Before this I lived on the Upper East Side for 5 years and Brooklyn Heights for about 2 years.
I never get tired of seeing the Brooklyn Bridge, it's my favorite. The views, the Gothic towers, the spiderwebbed cables. I read that the set of diagonal cables were designed to give the bridge additional support but are, in fact, completely unnecessary. They do give the bridge such a unique look, though.
The ship you saw is the Peking is a 1911 windjammer, formerly used in the nitrate and wheat trade to sail around Cape Horn. It's one of the last of its kind, now permanently docked on the South Street Seaport.
The next time you're in the city between late spring-early fall, be sure to check out the rooftop of the Met. They put up an outdoor exhibition every year that's usually a dazzling crowd-pleaser; at any rate, the views alone are worth it. Great place to have a drink and take a breather.
I also saw It's Only a Play and I'm afraid I thought it was pretty vapid. A friend of mine wanted to see it, I generally go for classic dramas. I thought Martin Shot was very funny; Matthew Broderick, not so much. I was looking forward to seeing Stockard Channing, but unfortunately her understudy filled in on my night.
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 15:12:49 GMT
Thanks for the information, Nycgirl. Interesting about the Peking. I assume you can tour the boat, correct? I'd love to go up on the rooftop of the Met.
Funny about It's Only a Play. We had the same reaction. I don't know what it is about Matthew Broderick. I've never been able to connect with him as an actor. I suppose, however, that his inhibited style of movement served as a good contrast to Martin Short's overt physicality. MS's performance was great fun because he was able to incorporate some of his memorable characters into this role . Stockard Channing, at 71, was quite overt in her physical movements, too, even though she still seems to be recovering from a knee injury. She used a cane, though not in a very noticeable way, and was barefoot for much of the play, but I thought her performance was quite good. Too bad you missed her.
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Post by nycgirl on Mar 30, 2015 16:07:10 GMT
Yes, you can tour the ships. I've never done so, but I love the sight of those big masted ships from a bygone era. I wonder if Channing's injury is the reason why I missed her? Well, I'm glad she was able to continue the run, especially at her age. And the injury is pretty in-character, since she was playing a screwed-up addict. I just saw the rest of your photos. I love Battery Park and I always recommend a ride on the SI ferry on a nice day. It's one of the best free things to do in town. The snacks and beer are pretty cheap, too (at least, they were the last time I rode). I'm sorry to say that free activities are steadily dwindling. The ferry to Governor's Island used to be free but no longer is. It's inexpensive, but still a blow to struggling families, students, etc. looking for cheap fun. And, of course, ticketing makes the lines move slowly. Grrr. There are ambitious plans to begin construction of the world's largest ferris wheel on SI. It's going to be 50% bigger than the London Eye and will be surrounded by a sprawling new green space. Now, I'm not crazy about ferris wheels, but the tourist revenue this will bring will be a boon to NYC's least popular borough. As it is now, most people who ride the ferry for pleasure (me included) simply turn around and ride it back, without spending a bit of time or money in Staten Island. In 2017 (the target completion date), that's gonna change. newyorkwheel.com/
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Post by tod2 on Mar 30, 2015 17:25:57 GMT
Great report and photos Htmb. I felt sad when the view across to Manhattan did not show those awesome twin towers. That was the last time I was there and have a wonderful photo of my son leaning out over the rail with the towers in the background.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 17:33:44 GMT
None of you people in NYC has yet made a report about the High Line. Is it really so much worse than the Promenade Plantée in Paris?
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Post by nycgirl on Mar 30, 2015 19:23:01 GMT
I love the High Line. I took some pictures awhile back but they weren't very good. I'll try again sometime.
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 20:26:12 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 20:42:55 GMT
The store is huge and, though it didn't look crowded in my photos, it really was. I actually took a lot of video on my walk to, from, and inside the store. If any of it turned out I'll try to put something together. Just a few more photos to go before I finish this trip to NYC. Promise.
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 20:48:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2015 20:54:10 GMT
I generally set foot in Macy's every time I go to New York. I hate it and have never bought anything there, but something sucks me in, at least briefly. Errr... should I admit that I always end up buying some cheap trash at Conway instead?
I just read somewhere that they closed their sleazy store next to Macy's. Can this be possible?
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2015 21:10:34 GMT
I have no idea what Conway even is/was. I was not in Macy's very long and hightailed out of there as fast as possible. I hardly even glanced at the stores in the vicinity. I was only there for AnyPort readers.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 30, 2015 23:13:51 GMT
Thank you for your sacrifice, Htmb. I too hate dept. stores, so can only imagine one that big and crowded to boot had to be jangling.
But the exterior photos! All of us here know how hard it can be to capture tall or long buildings effectively, especially when trying to combine them into a cohesive cityscape. But you have not only succeeded, you've really captured the vibrancy of the fabulous architecture of NY. Cannot tell you how much I'm enjoying this.
Looks like S will have a nice view in the Spring & summer, or even in the snowy winters.
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Post by htmb on Mar 31, 2015 1:33:57 GMT
Just to show everyone how really exceptional Kerouac's videos are, I'm going to post mine as a comparison. I'm not sure how long I'll leave it here. I walked too fast and this was my first use of iMovie in about 9 years. I couldn't transfer video from my digital camera to my iPad, so I used my iPhone for filming. I could go on and on about my challenges, but will just warn you that if you suffer from perfectionistic tendencies (the ending, especially, didn't work out properly) or have vertigo, you are forewarned. I did learn a lot through the attempt so, if I make another in the future, I expect to see some improvement.
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Post by questa on Mar 31, 2015 1:45:42 GMT
htmb...Now that is how I imagined NYC
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Post by htmb on Mar 31, 2015 1:47:17 GMT
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