GONE FISHING.

Empty Park Avenue???

It is Memorial Day today.

And this is Park Avenue, usually bustling with hectic traffic typical for Manhattan. Not today though. The feel actually is surreal. I was choosing between this and an identical picture without the dog. Without, it could look like I just caught a rare moment of emptiness. But no, this is a general mood on the Upper East Side this morning. Everybody left. Well, speaking relatively of course.

The Memorial Day marks the start of summer. This is a “long” weekend (3 days) around which many choose to add days off, turning it into a mini-vacation. This is the weekend when the beaches are officially declared open and many families make their first long trip to summer houses, emptying the streets of residential parts of Manhattan. The summer mood installs itself all over, and this is a welcomed change. I personally love New York during summer.

If you click on the picture, you will see on the background the MetLife Building which is located 40-something blocks away – it towers over the Grand Central on 42nd street.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service and dates back to 1868. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. Soon it was picked up by all states. Since 1971 Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May. And since 2000 on this day at 3 in the afternoon all Americans are asked “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence”.

BACK HOME!!!

It doesn’t matter if your journey takes you away to some beautiful places. Coming back home and seeing THIS – priceless. That’s what makes New York so special – returning from a long trip I would not choose any other spot on the planet to be landing to in order to get home. It is hot, it is smelly, it is loud and often dirty, yet it is so … alive!  

A trip to a lovely place, a meal of fresh (????) oysters, and then being horribly sick from them forever – ah là là là! That’s why I will not tell where I went;). To knock somebody out for almost three weeks… that was one angry oyster I’d say!

So good to be back.

MORNING

THE ROAD IS OPEN

This little boy was on the way from a toy shop with his dad. The subway car was somewhat crowded and all the eyes were on him. The basketball and soccer ball (European football) were not the only choices: his father also had a baseball, still in its original package. The little kid was absolutely overwhelmed with so many temptations!

The good thing is that all three games are not only popular to watch, but also to be involved in. Starting from a very young age boys and girls get into some sport, and these three – soccer, basketball and baseball – are among the most popular choices. So for this kid the road is open! In a couple of years he will make a choice what ball he wants to play with the most.

WHATEVER LOLA WANTS...

Yep, that’s the name of this white cute fluff - Lola.

This couple (and Lola of course!) represents a typical weekend mood on a warm sunny morning in Manhattan. Yes, during the week the dress code is restricted (although not as it is in some other countries) and the pace is … well, fast. The weekends though are relaxed, both in the appearance and in the choice of activities.

Weekend brunch (a late breakfast flowing slowly into lunch) at a table outside on a sidewalk is very often the best time to catch up with friends and family. I definitely prefer sitting outside: yes, my giant dog issue:). My favorite neighborhoods for this are West Village and Nolita. These areas are completely different from what we all are used to whenever we imagine Manhattan – no skyscrapers, no wide avenues. On the contrary, buildings are low, the ambiance is more “neighborhoody”, the cafés are plenty, and the little boutiques tend to have a name on them rather than the title of some behemoth fashion chain. Love it! Would I prefer to live there? No! My aforementioned giant dog needs her “backyard” – Central Park. We are happy though that we have downtown for such needed doze of calming bliss.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

“Making the decision to have a child - It's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”- Elizabeth Stone

This Sunday, May 9th, is Mother’s Day in many countries of the world.

Happy Mother’s Day! - to you, to your mum, and to a special mum you know.


This picture is from Café Gitane in the West Village on Jane street.

WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER 2&3.

The home to some grand American financial institutions like American Express and Merrill Lynch. The offices of the Wall Street Journal are also there.

ALWAYS THERE

Time Square Subway station.

The name of the K-9 dog is Maddux. Born in 2007, he has been “in service” for more than a year now, working side by side with his human partner Stephen. Their team – a dog and a man - is specializing in patrol, tracking, evidence recovery and criminal apprehension.

 Stephen and Maddux have been assigned to this area long before the last week’s events. They are monitoring the Time Square along with other Dog Patrol teams. Whenever I pass by, somebody is always there.

THE MORNING AFTER

When I was passing the Metropolitan Museum of Art on my way to work this morning, I saw this scene: a crew of cleaners was hard at work, washing the steps of the Met and the surrounding area. It felt very much like bringing back in order your own place after some eventful party.

 Last night there was a big celebration in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Costume Institute Gala, an equivalent of the Oscar for the fashion world, is an annual event, and attracts all sorts of famous personalities, not only those who are in fashion. You can read about the festivities in many newspapers. A lot of them are placing the pictures from the event on their front pages.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

North Park in Battery Park City, next to the Hudson River.

Minutes from where the towers of World Trade Center once stood.

MORNING WASH

The mornings on beautiful days like this are in particular special here, in Manhattan. Early, before it gets busy, the doormen are coming out to wash the sidewalks. The sunny streets are sparkling clean, and there is a very distinct smell of the wet asphalt, the smell of the city. Manhattan is waking up to another amazing day. I wish I could bottle this happy feel!

 On the picture is Gabriel – a lovely doorman who has been working in the same building for more than 30 years. He is a sweet , caring and dignified man. He too, loves this kind of mornings – he treats his part of beautifying his city with pride, and enjoys the “washing” routine, which he worked out to perfection. It is always fun to watch him. And when he sees you, the kindest smile lights up his whole face. Good morning! And your dog gets a treat;). Ah, life is beautiful!

If you walk just half a block pass Gabriel, there will be Fifth Avenue, Central Park and Metropolitan Museum of Art. So this is Upper East Side, between Madison and Fifth Ave.

JULIET...

…and her Romeo.

They are forever in each other’s embrace. Lovers’ dream.

Today is the 1st, which means it is a Theme Day. Here you will see the pictures from all the participants.The theme of today is "Statues".

 Standing right outside Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, this statue is a tribute to Shakespeare, whose plays are performed here every summer. And this picture is my tribute to the dear to my heart Verona and to all Romeos and Juliets.

Sculpted in 1977 by Milton Hebald, it was a gift to the Central Park from George Delacorte.

FIRST RUNNER-UP: "DILE"

Amazing day in New York! To find yourself in Central Park on a morning like this – priceless!

“Alice” was for a change not surrounded by a crowd due to an early hour. So here I am, introducing her to you. Please meet “Alice” - a whimsical sculpture of beloved character of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. She is of course not alone. Sitting on a huge mushroom, Alice is surrounded by The Mad Hatter, The March Hare, The Cheshire Cat, The White Rabbit, Alice’s Cat Dinah and Dormouse. This sculpture was commissioned in 1959 by a dear friend of Central Park, the philanthropist George Delacorte. The sculptor José de Creeft based his work on John Tenneil illustration for the first edition of the famous book.

This sculpture is located just steps from the Boat Pond, where you can rent a toy sailboat, making this whole area a children’s favorite.

I know a kid who, when he was very little, was in love with one of the animals from the “Alice” sculpture: a small crocodile. While everybody climbed the statue to the very top, this boy would run straight under the mushroom to say hello to his friend. Not surprising that he gave the statue a different name: Dile . That is how all who know him refer to Alice now. Dile.

SANT AMBROEUS

If you catch yourself in an urgent need of some to-die-for hazelnut ice cream on the Upper East Side, this is THE place! If this sudden craving happens to you in the SOHO area – wait until I post about Van Leeuwen Ice-Cream truck that parks right in the middle of Greene Street. But that, as I said, is for the other post.

Sant Ambroeus, the Milanese expat, is not only about ice-cream of course! They serve a great cup of espresso (a real one;), they make out-of-this-world pastries that look like architectural jewels, and offer a really tasty menu for lunch and dinner. The second Sant Ambroeuse, in the Village, is more relaxed, with tables outside so that you can bring your dog, which I do once in a while. But I happen to pass this one, on Madison Avenue, often … umm… way too often! That is considering my love for the above mentioned Hazelnut ice-cream. The other place I pass often is a local Gym. Strangely, I don’t find myself being as loyal to it as I am to Sant Ambroeus.

ANOTHER FOGGY DAY...

It is hard to choose the favorite. When it's sunny, you feel alive. When it is a grey foggy day - it is New York at its best.

WALKING HOME

Brooklyn Bridge. Rainy, misty night. Sparkling skyscrapers disappear in the fog. This beautiful vision is even more special because this is the walk to my favorite island, this is the walk home.

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE!

My best friend's Birthday is on Sunday.

That's for him.

Happy Birthday!:))

SISTER MOON...

“Sister moon will be my guide
In your blue blue shadows I would hide...
...I would gaze at your face the whole night through
I'd go out of my mind, but for you”
 /Sting - one of my favorite songs/

I gasped when I saw this, way up above my head.

Stood there mesmerized until suddenly remembered “Blog!!!” Et voilà! 
These are the tops of very tall buildings. The one with two windows is on Park Avenue.

Picture is taken from Madison Avenue around 73 street.

THE OTHER KIND OF HEAVEN

“The Garment Worker”, also known as a “Jewish Tailor” is the most famous work of Judith Weller. Installed in 1984, this statue, along with gigantic button and needle, is a landmark of the Garment District. 
 No need to remind about the importance and popularity of fashion in New York. The clothing industry not only puts the city among top places when it comes to style and fashion design; it is also one of the city’s largest employers, giving jobs to more than 200,000 people.

The Garment District with its very active life is an interesting place to observe, even if you have no connection to the industry. But if you belong to those who get excited when they see beautiful fabrics, ah, you are either in heaven or … in huge trouble!! Numerous fabric stores line the streets, and the selection is painfully tempting. Good luck leaving empty-handed. The good thing though is that there is a choice for every budget.

So here we go – visit, browse, imagine, buy and create! And then, before you know, you’ll be showing at the Fashion Week!

LE CARROUSEL

Le Carrousel in Bryant Park right behind the NY Public Library is about the same age as its little riders – it was installed in 2002. Its style matches the French influenced landscape of the Park. To add to the mood, ten ponies, a frog, a rabbit, a cat and a deer are carrying their passengers under the accompaniment of French cabaret music.

It was fun to watch kids and their parents! Many of us have memories of a carrousel from our own childhood . Mine was le manège in Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris. I am sure the little riders of Le Carrousel will keep these moments in their memory for a long time.

THE EYES OF AN ARTIST

The utterly magnificent and super popular Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is not my favorite museum in New York, but I would say that it is the one that surprises me most often.

The set of exhibitions that are being held now in MOMA keeps bringing me there over and over again. It is impossible to mention one, or two… without leaving out the others.

I went there today again: this picture is from an exposition “Marina Abramovic: the artist is present”. Here is the link for those who are interested in detailed description. The post would be enormously long if I attempted to describe her works. Her art is in action, and in the way it affects the viewer. She is present, just as the title of the show suggests . She is the one dressed in red on the picture. She sits still the whole day, almost every day, while her MOMA exposition lasts. The person across from her is yet another visitor, taking invitation to sit across the table and lock the eyes with the artist. And you can see it LIVE during the museum hours.

If you are in New York, really make an effort to stop by MOMA. For the whole day!

There is Tim Burton exhibition – is it even possible that all these creatures are products of the imagination of just one mind?!?!

Then there is an amazing retrospective of Henri Cartier-Bresson. He could be called the first city blogger ever!!!

And then there is an incredible William Kentridge!..

I am not going any further, because there is so much to list! And it is even without mentioning the permanent collection.