Grand Central Station Main Concourse

This photo was taken a week ago when I bumped into two wonderful tourists from England. They were in NYC for a couple of days to celebrate their 25th (I think) wedding anniversary before jetting off to Hawaii for the weekend. We started talking because we have the exact same camera (Canon G9) and we were both standing on the stairwell photographing the same scenery as you see in this photo above.

So have you usually talk to complete strangers?

Times Square Sanctuary

For the last two weekends, Times Square in midtown Manhattan has been shut down to automobile traffic to create a 'sanctuary' for locals and tourists alike to enjoy the 'crossroads of the world'. The city even provided lounge chairs (some of which were stolen) for the public. Motorist, especially the taxi drivers were not happy with this plan but most people (in the photo) think this is a great plan.

What do you think of the plan? Would you hang out at Times Square if there were no automobile traffic to worry about?

Oasis of Calm

I was walking down 50th Street from 5th Avenue towards Madison when I came across this interesting pocket of peace and serenity. It is one of a dozen or so public spaces sprinkled across midtown to give office workers in the area a place sit and enjoy the outdoors.

So where is your oasis of calm?

MetLife & Helmsley

The ornate tower with the green roof is the Helmsley Building and one behind it is the MetLife Building. Both buildings sit in the middle of Park Avenue so automobile traffic has to be diverted around them.

So what is the tallest building in your city?

Knot & Needle

This sculpture is entitled, Knot & Needle by James Surls. It is one of half a dozen or so similar structures by the same artist installed on the meridian of Park Avenue between 50th and 60th Street.

Notice the post-bloom tulips on the ground -- I posted a photo of them last week. According to a comment left on this blog, there will be coral colored begonias at the end of May, planted by the Fund for Park Avenue.

So do you participate in any non-profit or charity program?

MoMA Garden

I went to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in midtown Manhattan yesterday afternoon. But after a couple of hours indoors, I saw this view from the 3rd floor of the museum and knew I had to go outside and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather.

So is Spring your favorite season? If not, what is?

Tulips on Park Avenue

There is no such thing as too many tulips in Spring. This photo was taken at the meridian between the uptown and downtown traffic on Park Avenue and 59th Street.

So are you ready for the summer to arrive?

Bird in a Gilded Cage

This little bird is trapped inside a gilded cage, otherwise known as The Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan. The 4-storey high atrium/space has shops and restaurants and somehow, this bird got itself trapped inside it. A lady placed some bread crumbs on the railing and the bird swiftly flew down to gobble them up. I only managed to get one good shot of this event.

So have you ever been in a beautiful place but still felt trapped?

Old & New

The older building in the foreground is the Saint Thomas Church and the newer building in the background is 666 5th Avenue, a retail and office complex.

No question today. Have a good Wednesday.

illy cafe

We all know Starbucks in the US but have you heard of an illy cafe? There are a couple of them in NYC and they serve coffee from the Italian brand.

So what brand of coffee or tea do you drink every day?

St. Patrick's Cathedral & Atlas

This photo was taken from behind Atlas (installed in 1937) and looking upwards across 5th Avenue at St. Patrick's Cathedral (completed in 1878). The two glass buildings on both sides of the statue is part of Rockefeller Center.

So what did you have for dinner last night?

Prometheus! Who? Prometheus!

His name is Prometheus and he sits on top of a rock overlooking the ice rink at Rockefeller Center in midtown. He is probably the second most photographed statue in New York City, after the Statue of Liberty, of course.

So is second best good enough?

Lipstick Building

This Lipstick Building used to be famous for its innovative and original architecture but lately, it has been mentioned in the press mainly because it housed the offices of Bernie Madoff, who engineered a $65 billion Ponzi scheme.

So how has your week been so far?

Empire State Building

Here is another view of the Empire State Building as seen from 34th Street and 7th Avenue, outside the Macy's departmental store.

So have you been to the top of the Empire State Building or any really tall buildings?

How Cold Was It?

I was at Bryant Park yesterday afternoon because it is New York Fashion Week. I saw this pretty young girl wrapped in layers because of the cold, windy weather. I asked if I may take her photo and she nodded.

So do you usually wear a hat and/or a scarf?

Sculpture inside Glass Garden

This gigantic structure by Jean Dubuffet is one of half a dozen pieces installed inside the glassed-in garden behind Trump Tower on 5th Avenue. The garden space include a cafe and lots of tables and chairs facing Madison Avenue. It is one of the few spaces in midtown Manhattan to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee.

So do you have a favorite place to enjoy your coffee?

N.B.: Thanks to Hélène of Taches et Couleurs for identifying the artist of this sculpture.

Midtown Grand Army Plaza

This photo was taken on Saturday afternoon at the Grand Army Plaza on 5th Avenue and 60th Street in midtown. I have posted a photo of this statue before but from a totally different angle. The snow on the ground is slowly melting away but you can still see them here.

So can you identify the all the flags at the Plaza Hotel on the right?

Approaching Times Square

This is the view looking north towards Times Square on Broadway Avenue in midtown. The photo, from my archive, was taken sometime between Christmas and New Year. I haven't had a chance to go out to take new ones yet.

So how has your week been?

Nine Days To Christmas

This gigantic sculpture of the Roman Arabic numeral '9' is located outside the Brasserie 8 1/2 restaurant on 57th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. I took this photo on the same day I took the one of the brasserie window, and I have been saving it for today's post.

So do you save anything unconventional, hoping it would be of some use at a later in the future?

Chrysler Building

Here is one of the grand dames of New York City -- the Chrysler Building. The photo was taken while I was standing in front of Macy's Departmental Store on 34th Street and 7th Avenue. I have just bought two pairs of wrinkle-resistant Docker's pants that were on sale.

So what have you bought on sale recently?