I must have traveled to New York more than 10 times over the last 15 years. During the earlier years, I would travel there to visit my grand uncle and grand aunt in Brookyln. I recall how their neighbourhood at Prospect Park populated by blacks and hispanics would morph to become rather hip and cosy. Subsequently, when I started working for my current American employment, I would frequent Connecticut and New Jersey at least once a year. Hence I am not totally unfamiliar with Manhattan. I am very comfortable with the subway and am used to walking 40 to 50 blocks in the city.
My visiting habits in Manhattan has gradually changed over the years. My 'free days' to roam get shorter so I no longer go to the musuems (I lost count of the number of big and small musuems I had visited). I am also no longer excited about department stores like Birmingham, SAKS Fifth Ave etc. Now when I do get to Macy's I would head straight for the household department and I would never pass by a Williams Sonoma store without just popping in for a quick twirl (even though all of them carry the same merchandises). Fine food stores like Dean & Deluca, Zbar and Wholefoods are also my favourite haunts.
Despite it all, there remains one place which I will always set aside time for when I am in Manhattan... It has become somewhat of a pilgrimage for me... going to Central Park. Summer in Central Park bustles with energy when buskers perform and superfit rollerbladers power glide through the park. Winter in Central Park is a little more pristine and quiet.... the trees are bare, the ponds are frozen...the joggers looking more austere in their long tights, hats and gloves.
I was lucky that the only free Saturday I had was not too cold to walk and sit around in the park for immediately the next day, temperature dropped and the big chill set in.
I started my walk from Strawberry Fields, the little plot dedicated to the memory of John Lennon. It was only a few days earlier that the public was commemorating John Lennon's death anniversary on the 8th Dec.
Loved the rows and rows of benches where people would sit and enjoy the scenery or read...
Whoever thought of putting the park in the city was brilliant and for me this is possibly the strongest identity of New York City yet....
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22 comments:
Central Park is my favorite place to go when I was living in Manhattan. My friends and I just sat there, eating our lunch, chit chatting or just watching the people there. Hope we are able to meet up the next time you come here again.
A magnificent array of NY shots..I visited once.. I truly enjoyed it.. I love how you mention your tastes have changed..:)
The Imagine.. is so beautiful..
I hope you have some of these shots printed up and displayed in your home.They speak:)
beautiful photos! i'd love to relax and munch on lunch in central park myself haha :D glad you are enjoying your time over there :)
Thanks for sharing the lovely place. I like the angles that you looked at.
Awesome photos! I also like the angles that you looked at this park.
Great photos Shirley! I wish I can go back to NYC one day!
I can't wait to visit NY next year. How pretty :)
A seasoned traveller you are and I like your perspective on things! :)
Thank you all for your kind comments. I don't travel with my DSLR so I can only make do with my point and shoot.
Totally love the last shot.
Love the last photo. I have never been to the States....yet. Hopefully, one day,
Shirley, you are making me miss NYC! I loved visiting Central Park too when I was there... I wish Sydney had a park as large as this - it's the best place to get away from the bustle of the city. Hope you had a great holiday Shirley!
Gorgeous photos Shirley and I particularly like the last pic with the tree branches! :D And it sounds like you left there just in time to avoid the blizzards :)
You've got me missing NYC, Shirley! Central park certainly looked different while I was there three summers ago but no less beautiful. I remember sitting on the lawn with my best friend (and a herd of other people), basking in the sun and reading my book.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! :)
Ah I love this post! Central Park is one of my favorite places in the city as well. I have spent so much time running there and it is my zen place for sure. Gorgeous photos!
It's lovely that you get to visit NYC and Central Park fairly often. Perhaps I'll be up visiting some college friends at the same time sometime and we could meet :). You know I haven't been to the park for year, and seeing your lovely photos, I have no idea why not.
Somehow I am not a "fan' of New York! :O
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Lovely photos Shirley, and it's P & S!
Keeping my fingers crossed that i'll be where u are now at this time of the year next year. Heh.
ps : your food photos are getting really awesome!
Your photographs are lovely. I hope that you are able to visit again in 2011, and I wish you a very happy new year.
I regret I didn't visit NYC while I was in the States. I spent most of my time in the Midwest instead. Furthest would be FL. Sigh ...
Anyway, happy 2011 to you!!!
It looks beautiful. I would love to visit America again one day. NY is definitely next on my go-to place. Happy New Year to you. Keep up the good work with your blog. I love reading every posts and every recipes. =)
Love the clicks! NYC in winter. You captured the mood so well. Happy New Year, Shirley!
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