Back from NYC — email, subscriptions, etc
I’m back from NYC, catching up on all emails, etc. All new subscription username/passwords were sent last night.
New York City is a major challenge to shoot for me: I had never been there before and the beehive-like activity was just stunning, so much to take in, in every direction!
I flew (nonstop) into Newark airport, took the air train and then the train to the byzantine Penn Station, was promptly accosted by a local wanting money or my camera (don’t look around for street signs, it shows you’re a tourist!). I saw the Chelsea area, a bit of Greenwhich Village, the night scene in that area (whoah!). Thanks to a friend, I had a great apartment to stay in, very nice.
B&H Photo is an incredible tour. Automated conveyor belts to shuttle everything around, and items from $2 to $250,000. They really do an amazing job there, I was impressed.
On my first regular subway ride, I was tracked by a nut-case or thief who apparently wanted my camera or backpack, but after moving around, switching cars and finally existing the train, I finally eluded her without injury or loss. I’m still not sure if “pretty boy” is a compliment or an insult in NYC, or just how lucky I was.
New York City doesn’t do anything small: street parties are a mile long, the shops are over the top, and 5th avenue would be a lot of fun with an extra million or so spending money. The Apple Stores still smell like Apple Stores, never liked that smell myself.
The bars are good too, and cabs are a godsend on the way home.
Wall Street is impressive and worth the visit, with a security perimeter still in place. Worth a look to see where sausage is made. I’m not used to guys with automatic weapons standing around, I'm not sure how they'd pick out the bad guys from the hundreds of tourists anyway. Kinda funny with the Brinks guys with guns in hand and money bags, good 'old six shooters didn't look too impressive by comparison to the guys at the exchange.
Central Park is just amazing, a huge expanse of land heavily used by thousands, but amazingly well groomed. Stay out of the north end I’m told.
