One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous buildings, the Guggenheim Museum, is on upper Fifth Avenue. In preparation for its 50th anniversary this year, numerous cracks in the cement were patched and some structural work was performed. The building looks great, but it will always be controversial; the spiral that defines the interior is an undeniably tricky venue for art.
Well, not really. A little summer vacation, a trip, and a change of scenery would do us all good. The ad on top of the cab says so. While Mexico might not be the destination of choice at the moment, the airlines are offering loads of cheap flights abroad, especially. It is cheaper to go to Prague or Dublin (and many other European cities) than San Francisco.
Some tourists make the trek to see Ground Zero, which has finally turned into a large construction site. Pedestrians have to look from across the street; the sidewalk by the construction is closed. (One lone hawker was selling picture books about 9-11.) Two Andean flute players played music and sold CD’s. They sounded better here, in the open air, than in the subway passages, where similar musicians are often found.
Downpours galore. I was walking down Fifth Avenue yesterday aftern0on when the sprinkles started. For about half an hour it poured. People huddled under awnings or braved it out under umbrellas.
New York City is a self-referential city. People frequently wear shirts that say New York City or have the names of the five boroughs or local schools printed on the front. It’s less common that they’d wear the archetypal shirt this girl has on. Still, I’d recommend that every visitor consider buying a t-shirt as soon as they step on the city’s pavement, as they make excellent souvenirs. If some of your party is worried about looking like a tourist, tell them that we can tell anyway.
When it rains for 17 out of 21 days, what one does on the 22nd day is obvious. Most people chose to carry umbrellas folded up and out of sight, but some, no longer trusting clouds, weather patterns, and forecasts, took more drastic measures. Or, this woman’s umbrella could be a very ineffectual parasol, shielding her from a couple of the sun’s rays.
56th between 6th and 7th
Okay, the sign looks homemade, but the sentiments are official. I am posting this as a public service. It bugs me that they don’t say WHY the street is closed off. Is it a party and we’re not invited?
Seventh Avenue near the Garden is brighter than ever: more ads, signs, colors, the whole works. 34th Street after dark is crammed with shoppers. I hadn’t been in the area in a while, so it was a big surprise to me.
With your cocktail, you might want to consider soup, bbq chicken and ribs, or maybe a fish platter. Not in the mood for food? The guy outside will sell you a newspaper.
I’m not counting the guy who is sitting on the sculpture. He is feeling nothing other than relief. Summer is officially here, so there is going to be a lot more activity on this corner soon. Tourists will be pushing and shoving to get the perfect shot of themselves standing in front of the big red metal letters.
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