It sure has changed a lot. Even since 2020 it seems like a whole new city in some parts.
I was in Alphabet City for 7 years until we got a half-price deal on a place right by the Vessel (They'll definitely boot us out when the covid-deal expires) -- it feels like a totally different planet some days; between Hudson Yards and Little Island (and the little beach they just built there!?) it is a fun place to stomp around... Pier 57 is also a fun new thing to get into... doesn't have the same grime and history of East Village though. I do miss it.
The rat graffiti is popping up everywhere; so are the rats. We had such a bad infestation all over manhattan this past summer; the weather definitely has a lot to do with it.
I spent all of yesterday racing around BK, Queens, and Manhattan after my wife who was in the marathon; the checkpoints and streets being locked down did NOT make it easy... and don't get me started on the terrible Subway service. Holy crap. What a mess.
Yes, I had to check out all the various pier based eateries: Pier 57 and The Tin Building on Pier 17. But the place that I kept returning to was Little Spain in the Hudson Yards. I can't pass up a chance for tapas or a good Jamon Bocata.
The amount of change did blow my mind. I feel like the 20 years I spent in NYC was perhaps on a different planet in the multiverse. I didn't even recognize Cooper Square or parts of the East Village. Thankfully though at least Veniero's Bakery was till there. A rum soaked Baba Rum helped to ease the shock of it all.
Alas, American's hometowns everywhere are being erased and replaced by very tall buildings. We're moving UPtown! Loved this, Ed. I've heard that "New York stories" are everywhere there. Ya just hafta walk down the street and there they are.
Yes. Someday maybe politicians will realize it isn't the architecture that makes a great city. The greatness resides in the cultures, festivities, and the personalities of its residents. When the fancy buildings come and rents are spectacularly raised, it signals the death knell of a city's most sacred and cherished qualities which were created by its humble, struggling to survive residents.
Death knell indeed. While walking with my daughter on the downtown street that was my old stomping grounds in SLC, I did feel like death had taken the city's soul. Fancy patisseries, shops, wide walks with planters, trees, and empty benches blocked out the traffic lanes, allowing only an electric trolley to slip with a whoosh in the street. Gone were the parking spaces where my parents, when they were dating, sat in their car and watched the people come out of the Utah Theater. Gone were the smelly, noisy buses I rode as a kid. Gone was the aroma of popcorn from the Kress's store. Gone were the everyday people, the ladies come to shop from the suburbs, the occasion old rummy who lived in one of the flop house rooms above the stores, the workers on their lunch hours, the teenagers laughing with their friends. Gone.
I love these cartoons! The marathon one is my favorite, but they all make me want to go to NYC, a place I've never been.
It sure has changed a lot. Even since 2020 it seems like a whole new city in some parts.
I was in Alphabet City for 7 years until we got a half-price deal on a place right by the Vessel (They'll definitely boot us out when the covid-deal expires) -- it feels like a totally different planet some days; between Hudson Yards and Little Island (and the little beach they just built there!?) it is a fun place to stomp around... Pier 57 is also a fun new thing to get into... doesn't have the same grime and history of East Village though. I do miss it.
The rat graffiti is popping up everywhere; so are the rats. We had such a bad infestation all over manhattan this past summer; the weather definitely has a lot to do with it.
I spent all of yesterday racing around BK, Queens, and Manhattan after my wife who was in the marathon; the checkpoints and streets being locked down did NOT make it easy... and don't get me started on the terrible Subway service. Holy crap. What a mess.
Anyway. Glad you had a great trip!
Yes, I had to check out all the various pier based eateries: Pier 57 and The Tin Building on Pier 17. But the place that I kept returning to was Little Spain in the Hudson Yards. I can't pass up a chance for tapas or a good Jamon Bocata.
The amount of change did blow my mind. I feel like the 20 years I spent in NYC was perhaps on a different planet in the multiverse. I didn't even recognize Cooper Square or parts of the East Village. Thankfully though at least Veniero's Bakery was till there. A rum soaked Baba Rum helped to ease the shock of it all.
The rats!!! a true icon of NYC
The rats! Lol!
Love the marathon tie in. It was so awesome to see you.
Alas, American's hometowns everywhere are being erased and replaced by very tall buildings. We're moving UPtown! Loved this, Ed. I've heard that "New York stories" are everywhere there. Ya just hafta walk down the street and there they are.
Yes. Someday maybe politicians will realize it isn't the architecture that makes a great city. The greatness resides in the cultures, festivities, and the personalities of its residents. When the fancy buildings come and rents are spectacularly raised, it signals the death knell of a city's most sacred and cherished qualities which were created by its humble, struggling to survive residents.
Death knell indeed. While walking with my daughter on the downtown street that was my old stomping grounds in SLC, I did feel like death had taken the city's soul. Fancy patisseries, shops, wide walks with planters, trees, and empty benches blocked out the traffic lanes, allowing only an electric trolley to slip with a whoosh in the street. Gone were the parking spaces where my parents, when they were dating, sat in their car and watched the people come out of the Utah Theater. Gone were the smelly, noisy buses I rode as a kid. Gone was the aroma of popcorn from the Kress's store. Gone were the everyday people, the ladies come to shop from the suburbs, the occasion old rummy who lived in one of the flop house rooms above the stores, the workers on their lunch hours, the teenagers laughing with their friends. Gone.
Sounds like a great trip - especially coming home inspired!!! Thanks for sharing!! And welcome home!!