Tuesday, December 01, 2009

New York City #3










Saturday began just like Friday, with the A train to 14th and a quick walk to Avenue of the Americas for more onion bagels and chive cream cheese at Murray's, and yet another visit to the Rite Aid across the street. My umbrella broke Friday and Saturday was pretty rainy so I had to grab a new one. We stopped at Urban Outfitters on the way back to the subway, and I fell in love. I’d never been in one before even though there’s one in SLC. I got a new scarf and something I’ve had my eye on for a long, long time, the Diana+ Dreamer. How could I pass up seafoam green? I thought if I were going to get the camera anywhere, it had to be in New York City, a place full of dreamers. I found it very fitting.

Back on track… After dropping cash on more non-NYC souvenirs, we caught the subway to Times Square and walked to Pier 83 to board the Circle Line for our three-hour touristy boat trip around the island. It rained most of the time but it was so fun. We sat on the top deck just under the covered part, and sipped really bad hot chocolate and ate Fat Witch brownies from Chelsea Market. Once we got near the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, we shot a flurry of photos, then hunkered back in our spots to keep dry. I would definitely go on another Circle Line trip. What a great way to see the city!

Next on the agenda was pizza from Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, Heather’s favorite NYC pizza place. We thought about taking a cab across the river but decided that our hunger could wait so we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and It. Was. Amazing. Definitely the highlight of the trip at that point (but every time we did anything, it became the new highlight!). I think it took us about an hour to get across because we couldn’t walk ten feet without having to stop to shoot something. Once off the bridge, we waited in line at Grimaldi’s for only five minutes and then had a delicious Margherita pizza and some really great people-watching. Grimaldi’s crust was yet another of those things I’d fly all the way to New York for.

We rode the subway back across the river to 57th Street and walked through the Apple store and then FAO Schwarz where we bought a ridiculous amount of candy. I wish I bought more gummy sour Cherry Coke bottles! Sugary snacks in hand, we headed to Magnolia Bakery at Rockefeller Center for even more sugar. I got a vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to enjoy another cupcake in Utah again. Magnolia takes the cake! We quickly stuffed our faces as we filed into Radio City Music Hall to see the Christmas Spectacular, the new highlight of the trip, and it was nothing short of spectacular! I don’t think I blinked one time in the hour and a half I sat on the edge of my seat, and I still don’t believe I actually saw the Rockettes with my own eyes. I felt like a little kid, just dazzled and amazed at the dancing and music and 3D show in front of me. So, so cool. We left the theater dazed, and walked past the Ed Sullivan Theater to the subway, hopped on and rode home. And just like Friday, I can’t believe we did all of that in one day!

Only one more full day to report! Thanks for tuning in, and if you'd like to see more photos, there are lots more here, with many more to come.

7 comments:

Tom said...

Outstanding. I'm glad your having a great time and I'm having fun with your reports.
THIS is the 2nd time I've heard about Magnolia!!!

Anonymous said...

grimaldi's is right near my old apartment in BK. so glad you were able to eat there, it's wonderful.

Dharma Bum 53 said...

You must be exhausted !! I just bought a Polaroid One Step from ebay because of your Polaroid photos... however... where do I get film, and will the photos be dreamy like yours, or is there a special way to take Polaroids to get that effect ? Haven't used one since the '70's.

Steph Parke said...

Thanks Tom!

Brian, I can't believe you could pick up and leave that amazing pizza behind. :) Thank you again for all the suggestions!

Dharma: Your best bet for film is www.polapremium.com. It's pricey anywhere you'll find it. I have a few OneStep cameras but I haven't used them in years. I use an SLR 680 because it allows me to get pretty close to my subjects, and it also allows me to focus. OneStep cameras have fixed focus. The best advice I can offer is start shooting. The only way to learn how to shoot Polaroid is to shoot it! Thank you for the kind words, btw. :)

Anonymous said...

You didnt even need to tell me where you got the pizza. I instantly knew. Grimaldis is the best. Its a must for me every time I make it to the city.

The polaroids here are super.

Heather Tullis Photography said...

Love it! You need to do something with these polaroids in the rain at night. They are so fantastic! Especially that cute model under the green umbrella on the Brooklyn Bridge!

Meeting of One said...

Interesting thhoughts