Here is another repost from my USA trip in 2015. As I’ve said before these posts were never posted here and it is nice get them on this blog with a record of my trip.
This post is from a great day I spent walking around New York with my hosts. You can read it to see what I did. Interesting to note that this day I got some of my absolute favourite images from New York.
Yesterday I spent the day in New York being a tourist. It was a long day and as many of the things that I wanted to see were still on the list it became a day for ticking them off. Slowly we worked our way around the city.
Of course, you know that I went to take photos of the Flat Iron Building first thing in the morning.
Flat Iron Building – Tick
We went to Chinatown for Dim Sum, or Yum Cha as we call it in Australia. It was down a little side street and apparently a place that has been there for a very long time. It was an interesting yum cha, and the dumplings and such were similar and yet some were very different.
We saw the arch above on the way, and when we were coming back we went a bit closer. It is the entrance or start of the Manhattan Bridge. You can walk over it as well, but we had a lot to see so we moved on.
We made our way to the Staten Island Ferry so I could see the Statue of Liberty. Many people have said it is the best way, and I think they might be right, plus the ferry is free. You can see some great things on the ferry, not just the statue, but also views of the city and some great bridges.
Staten Island Ferry – Tick
Statue of Liberty – Tick
We stopped at Battery Park to look around and while there I saw this statue of an eagle. It was part of a memorial for the men, and I guess women, who have lost their lives in the US Navy.
As we left there and made out way to the 9/11 Memorial, I was fascinated by the building above and how everything was reflected into it. When the clouds were reflecting in it the building almost disappeared. As we got closer to the memorial you could see the Freedom Tower being reflected as well. It seemed to be a time for reflections.
I noticed this at the 9/11 Memorial, the Reflections pools, this is the North one, and the Freedom Tower reflected into it. It was a almost a quiet place, though one has to wonder about the number of people laughing and taking selfies there. I found that quite odd. It is a memorial and the people having their portraits taken there, or getting the selfie sticks out seemed a little insensitive. Would they do that a cemetery?
9/11 Memorial – Tick
After enjoying some Greek food we headed to the Empire State Building. We bought tickets from a person outside, not sure I would ever do that again, as we really didn’t get what we thought we were going to get. We were told we would get access to two floors, and that wasn’t the case. We were ripped off. Be careful with the people outside, you might not get what you think you are getting. If you come across Kevin make sure he doesn’t fast-talk you.
The views were great and we still had a great time, but even after 9pm, the place was still packed with people. We were able to get to the edge to take some photos. It is like a rabbit warren up there, barriers everywhere so you we could be herded like cattle. Oh well, I guess you only have to do it once in your life.
Empire State Building – Tick
My feet were killing me again by the end of the day, but it was worth it in the end. I got the remainder of the things that I wanted to see off the list, but I have to say, I don’t think I like being a tourist. I really don’t like the crowds of people, and in the end you are just seeing the same things that everyone sees. I think I like the idea of experiencing a place and not doing those other things. I have done them now, and I am happy with what I have done here in New York.
I have more photos to show you from throughout the day. My time here is coming to an end and I only have a couple of days left before I have to head home. It has all happened so quickly.
What a beautiful post! You are bringing back memories of all the times I spent in the city when I lived so close by to everything! Thanks for sharing Leanne!
You’re welcome Phil, thank you and I’m glad it brought back memories for you.
One year I won a contest which provided Garry and I with a full-price four day vacation in New York city. Now, both of us grew up in NY and have great affection for it, but the chance to stay in a big downtown New York hotel was irresistible. It game with Broadway tickets AND a very fancy seat in what was then the brand new Yankee stadium — AND they were playing the Red Sox. AND the Sox won big time.
I had never been a tourist in New York. For one thing, we never lived in Manhattan but mostly in Queens. I think Garry’s family live in all five boroughs. I did take pictures, but it was right before the “I Love You” virus hit me and ruined every single photograph on my computer. I did not realize how much I cared about the pictures until they were gone.
Seeing your brilliant pictures makes me nostalgic, though I can’t imagine living there. If Massachusetts is expensive, the prices in New York will make you faint. Thank you for showing me my hometown. It’s still a very classy place, isn’t it?
By the way — a final note — people DO take pictures in cemeteries and depending on your national origin, sometimes death can be very much like a wedding with pictures and gifts — the whole thing.
Wow that sounds like a great opportunity Marilyn. How amazing.
Oh no, I haven’t heard of that virus, but that is so sad that you lost your photos. My worse nightmare.
Oh yes, New York was expensive when I was there, very expensive.
I don’t have an issue with the phtoos, I mean I took some, but it was all the other stuff, and yeah maybe it can in other cultures, but I don’t think those cultures were.
Thank you Marilyn.
I know it was a rhetorical question, and I know it’s a near-10-year-old repost… But yes, yes, people will act that way in a cemetery. I used to be stationed next door to Arlington National Cemetery, and you’d see all the tourist shenanigans there as well.
I get and appreciate where you’re coming from. But I don’t think the majority of them are all that aware of why those places exist. I mean, 9/11 was from AGO, like the Civil, Korean, Vietnam Wars and the WWs as well. Most people visiting the national mall aren’t actually thinking about the reality of why we have those places — and their ‘hallowed ground’ status is sort of relative.
Not to compare you to them with any ill intent or meaning, but I’m sure a lot of them are just ticking boxes on their vacation like you were on yours. It’s an easy mindset to get into — “I want to go see the [Memorial]” but without full understanding WHY there’s a Memorial to visit in the first place.
I fear I’ve rambled a little into Old Man Yells At Cloud Territory a little bit. I’m not excusing the behavior, but I understand it — even if it makes me a little sad to say that.
I don’t have a problem with taking photos there, but be respectful I think.
I think you are right, or they just don’t care. We are living in the ME world now.
Again I think you might be right Matt, I was there because I watched it on TV and wanted to see what they had done there.
No reason to apologise for rambling Matt, you have made a lot of sense. It makes me sad too, thank you Matt.
Beautiful captures as always. Although many of the New York images are undeniably iconic, the feel of many of your scenes remind me of Seattle. The way the skyscrapers pick up contrasts in the sky, the giant cranes hovering over platinum waves. I’m just saying, if you’ve never photographed there, you might consider it.
Thank you John, that is interesting that they remind you of Seattle. I would love to go there, but my days of travelling overseas have come to an end.
I’m glad you posted these. It’s good to have your take on New York, a city I’ve never visited, and almost certainly never shall now.
Thank you Margaret, that was part of the trip and why my friend wanted me to go, she wanted to see how I would photograph New York. I will never go again either.
It’s a bit of a schlep from both our homes….
That’s for sure, lol.
Great tour Leanne!
Thank you Anne.
you really captured the icons of nyc in a beautiful way
Thank you Beth.
So many tourist traps everywhere, but you captured good stuff in New York. I was born and raised right across the state line in New Jersey! The people snapping selfies at the 9/11 Memorial…I don’t get it, either.
There are Lois, so many. Thank you Lois. Oh I saw New Jersey, but didn’t get there.
I don’t get it either, it is weird.
Very beautiful photos, Leanne! I can’t imagine people taking selfies and laughing at the memorial. That is incredibly disrespectful. I’ll bet they were young people that have no clue about the history of America and don’t care to learn. Sickening. I’ve never been to NYC, I’ve seen enough through photos an video.
Yeah, it was really weird, I get taking photos, I did, but the way people were acting like it was just another tourist attraction I found a little off putting. It is an incredible place, I’m glad i got to go at least once. Thank you John.
I’m glad that you took the opportunity to go there, Leanne. I have spoken with British people here that think Americanoare a friendly lot which is nice! But to be so disrespectful at a monument like that is very wrong.
I think it would have been hard to not go, really. If you are in the city why wouldn’t you go. American’t tend to be friendly, I agree, it is the politicians most of us don’t like, Well we don’t like our own either.
I agree, it was so strange to see that kind of behavious there.
Politicians in any country are jerks, it sure seems like it! I’m friendly with everyone. 😎😊
For sure for sure John. Can’t believe any of them.