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New York October 2006, 24 hours
It was great to come into New York by train because the first thing me and my friend saw was Grand Central Station. It’s one of those places, like Chicago’s Union Station where the history pours off of the walls and you can imagine people in the 30’s using this very same building. The ancient images come in black and white.
The silence of the 911 site was pretty amazing. It is difficult to raise your voice above a whisper as you witness the magnitude of destruction. A few vendors try to make money by selling T-shirts and memorabilia while a nearby sign asks that you not support their attempts.
I had to take this picture because I wanted to make sure we could get back to the airport. Aside from taking the wrong train once, the subway system is a pretty cool way to get around. I found myself peering out into the darkness wondering what else might live below the city. The subway experience was intense and powerful to me, an amazing means of transportation and an interesting way to commingle with locals and tourists.
There are no shortage of restaurants in Little Italy. Right next to China Town, there is a line that seems to separate the two “nations” in New York city. Languages change, skin colors change, it’s all in such proximity and you can get so many different cultural flavors all at once.
Body balancing in a park. We went up and talked with these people who immediately made us to feel welcome in their group. They had some impressive skills. Kids nearby began throwing their football near me and eventually I started playing catch with them. It reminded me of being a kid again. Just going to a park and playing. No names are exchanged, just the pleasure of sharing the experience of playing. It was a powerful experience of community.
A view of the subway. Like the train station, the history that pours off of the walls is incredible. The subway cars are old, durable. You wait for your car, you hear some noise, then see some light and then it comes slithering around some corner with a driver with a monotonous expression bouncing up and down to the imperfections of the track.
A view of Time Square. I have never seen so many Chase banks in my life as I did in New York. The dollar at work never ceases to amaze me. It is always fascinating for me to go to places where money has been spread generously to create.
The converse is also true.
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