My Week With New York
by Lena
I really do love NY!
New York greeted me with so much life!
Rainbow of colors ~ Priceless Art, grand architecture, talented Artists of Broadway, delicious cuisine, mysterious Jazz bars, parks, lakes, history and character!
Have lived in US for 9 years , but never visited NYC until now.
I knew deep down that it would be very hard to live in Los Angeles if I’m ever tempted to taste The Big Apple.
I was right…
I’m a city gal, after all, who also happens to be a night owl.
That’s why I felt very much at home in New York ~ Moscow has a very similar energy and just like NY, it never sleeps!
Los Angeles is too spread out and it’s not really a city, it’s more like a giant suburb.
Although they call it the “Entertainment Capital of the world”… it only has entertainment until 1:30 am and they stop serving food at 10 – 11 pm.
Los Angeles should be renamed to “Welcome to Industrial Capital of California, press 1 for English”
Yes, the weather is warm ( for the most part ) in California, Mountains and The beach are great, but for someone who loves to walk as much as I do, LA can be a nightmare!
I have yet to see a sign like this one in Los Angeles .. everyone is too busy walking on their step machines inside sweaty and overpriced gyms ( to which they drove to from around the corner )
Lower Manhattan.
LA was build for cars, not people. New York, on the other hand, is the other way around.
Since I don’t want to drive, cities like NY were made for people like me.
Hopefully, sometime in the near future, I’ll be able to spend time in both – In the breathtaking nature of California and in Art, culture, nightlife and walk friendly city, like New York.
5th Avenue
I loved the fact that when it’s lunch time in NYC, people come out of their offices into parks and share food with their friends and co-workers.
Bryant Park
” Love Boat ” Central Park.
“The Metronome” by Kristen Jones and Andrew Ginzel in Union Square. It has a secret…
Symbol of Capitalism ~ “Double Check” statue in Liberty Park.
I felt that in New York, you have a more personal connection with the world around you;
Be it while taking a Tango class outside, in Union Square or having a chat with a total stranger in a coffee shop…
Coffee Legend
Sharing your opinion with yet another stranger, on that “weird Art piece”
at The Museum Of Modern Art …
Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Man With Yellow Pants” is staring into a mirror… I decided to focus on his face…
I want to see our world as a place where all people & religions stand as ONE …
One of my favorite Art pieces in MOMA is the “Totem for All Religions” 1947. Wood and rope. by Frederick Kiesler.
In New York they don’t just talk the walk, they walk the talk too …
Museum Of Modern Art
You might also find yourself in someone else’s story, while waiting for that green light …
However if you’re a true New Yorker, you don’t discriminate when it comes to colors and cross the street when you feel like it.
And the most important thing about New York, is the fact that the whole energy of this magnificent City is not manufactured and then awkwardly glued together for some sort of display of ones vanity.
door detail of New York’s Public Library
Instead, it was naturally integrated into the proud and sophisticated craftsmanship of the buildings and passionate hearts of New Yorkers,
for almost 400 years…
The New York Public Library
Traveler’s favorite book is …
Grand Central Terminal
” I paid my Taxes ” sticker next to a New York businessman.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral & Atlas Statue
The Big Apple
Tiffany & Co. display on 5th Avenue.
high-end shops of 5th Avenue
Rockefeller Center
Masonic Hall
A very loud sadness and despair still hangs thick over the memorial for September 11 victims. That day has left an abyss in so many hearts and souls…
World Trade Center Memorial
And yet, you can always sense hope & compassion
The Gardens of Remembrance
I would like to dedicate this poem, to anyone who has ever lost their loved one…
~
” WINGS OF PEACE “
Fly away, be free!
Find peace, taste the air of freedom and warm us with the morning sun! Kiss me goodnight with the moonlight on my wet cheeks.
When I’m falling, lend me one of your wings, so my soul won’t crash into pieces, that nobody wants anymore.
You will be flying amongst the strongest winds and swimming with the most powerful and brutal waves…
You won’t feel no pain, no sorrow, No blood or tears, No scars or fears.
When I’m lonely and scared, I ask you to lie down next to me and warm my cold hands with your loving breath.
If I give up, crashed by reality and forced onto the ground, shaking and bleeding — you just come and take me in your arms, healing me with your angelic whisper.
It will echo through my whole body, which will heal my heart and I’ll be saved.
At times when I’m happy and everything is good, still walk with me — taste my laughter, and my happiness. When it’s time for me to go — I’ll go…
Somewhere, beyond this time and my imagination, I’ll be given those wings of peace.
I promise we will fly again! Side by side, into freedom and happiness!
So when it’s time for me to go,
I’ll go …
© Elena Levon 2004
~
Heading to NYC from Staten Island
My favorite place in New York is The Metropolitan Museum Of Art
didn’t want to leave this room..
Meet Me at the MET ..
I went back to MET to soak up some Art for a few hours before my departure to Los Angeles
Cleopatra
Nessus Abducting Deianira
One of the four elements of life ~ FIRE
Bust of woman. Roman mosaic artwork of the Imperial era.
” Student “
this probably would be my favorite room in the house ..
Medieval Italian wall fountain, MET.
it’s a shooting star…
I wish …
____________________
WARNING
The following to be avoided at all costs ~
NEO SUSHI STUDIO NEW YORK
( Review coming soon )
___________________
The woman behind the words …
↓
PS – I want to thank all of my readers for all of your support and kind comments on my “The Pursuit of Happiness” post!
Thank you for all of your love and encouragement! I’m a very lucky gal to have all of you in my life! All my love to you and yours,
EL xo
As usual, a wonderful post, Elena!
What a wonderful journey through New York, such great pictures. I live in Portland, Oregon which is a city much like New York, just on a smaller level. It is pedestrian friendly (I sold my car after living here only four months) and it is people friendly – come and visit sometime!
This blog is inspiring! Makes me want to travel, great photos!!!
Good luck!
http://thirdeyemom.com/2012/07/18/passing-the-honor/
Elena! Stunning blog and breath taking photos! Thanks for sharing.
I love your photographs!! I wanna go to NYC!! -_-
Elena, nice work – It’s great you finally had a chance to experience NYC! I grew up in NJ, just a 40 minute ride into the city. My parents would take us into the city on occasion when I was kid – I ventured in to the city as a teenager with friends now and then, and I enjoy visiting when I ‘m back in the area. As a kid, I watched the Twin Towers being constructed rising up into the skyline – it left such an empty place in my heart that dreadful September morning. I’ve not been to ground zero recently, but just being near there evokes so many emotions. Thanks for sharing your journey and impressions of such a great city!
the whole energy is so heavy around ground zero.. i was in Moscow that day and when my dad had his tv on i said something like ” oh they are again blowing things up in Hollywood films ” he said ” it’s not a film ” : (( i still can’t believe and understand.. how can one, begin to understand why? .. : (
Nice,nice,nice
Hope that I could look NY as the way you did in this Aug… NY, I’m coming. Thanks for your sharing, Elena.
Stunning….
Cool photos, well done! I too am heading to NY in a few moths then LA also – Now I can’t wait… Cheers
Great post! Reminds me that I need to make a return visit – sooner rather than later!
Best New York post ever! The comparison to LA, very well- written, outstanding pictures, combination of B&W, night shots to random pics, that apple shot is clever, love the segue to cultural and social invovlment, I’ve been wanting to go to New York!!!! Will feature this post someday… :D
You’ve got some really beautiful pictures there! I prefer the walk than drive too for cities & small towns. A great way to check out life in a different space. Thanks for sharing!
I’m no American but I love New York too! It has been my favorite US state, and I’d love to visit again, this time with my husband and kids. Last time I was there was 2000. I love the fact that I could just walk around, and people were either friendly or didn’t mind me, or find me weird, at all. I love that I could just grab a mushroom pizza anywhere and it would be delicious. I have fond memories of feeding almonds to squirrels in my aunt’s apartment in Manhattan. Sigh.
I love taking pictures too, and I love your shots! :)
my god, the food is really yummy in NY! it’s everywhere and places open late : )
Great post! ^_^
Great post. New York is awesome every time you go.
Fantastic pictures. We were just in NY ourselves. The pictures are making me regret we didn’t bring out the camera.
Another great post and fantastic photos Elena. It is hard to believe today, but LA once had one of the best public transport systems in the world – imagine having trains and streetcars taking people all over the city – then bit by bit the system was bought up by oil and motor car companies, removed and replaced with freeways! By the 1960’s it was virtually all gone!
I know, this is so sad : (
And people look at you like you are crazy if you are walking! Got it all backwards….
I never realized how alive New York is.
Great photos with great writings. You are indeed very observant, nothing evades your attention.
I concur, great photos and prose. Bravo!
Great photos, Elena. Looks (and sounds) like you did NYC inside out.
Thank you Jason! yes, I loved it.. don’t think i can fully “do” it properly in only 1 week.. so many more things to try …
ps – about that voyage money question – don’t you know, Jason, we actors are broke most of the time : )
Am happy you enjoy every moment of life and share with others!
WOW awesome photo’s, Thank you for sharing.
Dear Elena,
This is a lovely post. I love your words.
Keep sharing, it is a pleasure to read from you!
Best,
Ann xx
Thank you Ann! : )
You’ve captured so many aspects of NY here – love this city…
Really nice photos! I feel the same way about New York. I live in Oakland, CA, but have spent years visiting NYC — sometimes as much as 4 times a year. The energy is just amazing; you can feel it in the air the second you step off the train.
It’s been a while since I’ve been back. Thanks for an amazing trip down memory lane (and for visiting my blog).
Best! Linda
My hometown. Beautiful shots. Enjoyed your view of the city. I grew up in Chinatown, so I take a lot of the city for granted. Thanks.
Thankyou for the little tour … NYC is a dream … :)