10.12.2010

other than the flea market...

While we only had 1 full day and a morning in NYC before we left on our cruise, we did manage to squeeze in a few things after the flea market.  I wanted to take my Mom out to Ellis Island to see the brick in the immigrant wall with her name on it.  I bought it for her as a Christmas gift a few years ago. 

That didn't work out exactly as planned because they were doing some remodelling out there and that particular section of the wall was "unavailable" - no problem - it's a quick trip from Phoenix, we'll just check it out next time we're in the neighborhood. 

Oh well, still a very worthwhile place to visit.  I enjoyed the thought of walking on the same floor so many people passed through on their way to hopefully a better life -  it made me want to take a photo of the floor...


and oddly, the ceiling.  Isn't it remarkable?


walking through the city I saw some wonderful doors (notice no handle on the outside - interesting)...



and cool lighting...


speaking of lighting - Grand Central Station has fantastic lighting fixtures, man do I love train stations...



You can also learn valuable lessons while walking around.  Lessons like when you get a sign for your new business, you should perhaps not put the word "new" on your sign or you'll find in a few years when you aren't new anymore, you'll have to buy a red marker...


and scratch out the "new" in your name (it's still visible).  I thought this was hilarious.  It cracks me up, sorry I have a strange sense of humor. 

We visited Ground Zero.  My mother had yet to see it so she and I walked by and as we did, I saw this Burger King and I remembered...


I remembered taking a photograph of it when my daughter and I visited 6 months after the attack.  Back then it had been the temporary headquarters of the NYPD and it looked like this...


It was an interesting day.

21 comments:

sarah said...

i love this collection of photos! it's obvious you have an artist's heart! paying attention to all the details, details! no wonder you make jewelry! it's all about the details! (:

KR said...

Too bad about the wall at Ellis Island, however such a marvellous place to visit.
So much to see in N.Y. Love the pics of Grand Central and the doors.
New Yorkers are so uninhibited, love the snippets of conversations one hears here and there, in the street, restaurants, stores... :)

Megan (Best of Fates) said...

Gorgeous photos - I'm a sucker for Ellis Island, it might be my favorite thing to visit in all of New York. Sorry your wall was unavailable!

RockinJ9designs said...

I Loved this post. It's a great thing to remember what I sometimes take for granted. Thank you to the many people fought wholeheartedly to make this country one whose floors would be traveled with excitement and anticipation for the life that lay ahead of them.

MJM said...

Grami, I bet you loved the convos! And that Burger King really got to me this morning. I hope people remember...

Jude said...

So sorry about the Ellis Island miss! Your photos are beautiful and I love Grand Central (I'm a sucker for train stations :)). Ellis Island is such a moving place - and seeing before-after Ground Zero always touches me (my brother was there that day, luckily survived, but seeing that site always gets me).

Jillian said...

I love the details. Sorry your plan didnt work out :(

Diana Mieczan said...

I am totall in love with those images...Especially the ceilling photo..Wow!..That is such a great post
Kisses,sweetie

Anonymous said...

Wow I didn't know about the Burger King being a temp headquarter for NYPD. I went to NYC 4 years after that horrible day. Does it still have that erie smell down there? It did 4 years after, I'm sure it probably did 6 months after! There are some really unique characteristics about Grand Central Station that the normal person wouldn't know. I met the PR rep for GCS and she told us some really COOL things about it! Oh I want to go back now!

Tess Kincaid said...

My daughter moved to Manhattan this summer. I must plan a visit!! You've inspired me.

Maria said...

Awesome post - fantastic photos! Ellis Island is close to my heart as well. Anything to do with Ground Zero moves me - fantastic B4 and after.

ps - groovin' on the Convos! So need a pair!

lisaroy said...

This is the first time I've visiting your blog - what great photos! I visited NYC in July and I always love to see how other people see a city. I'm a door and lighting person too and I love signs - the marker would have cracked me up too. Love the before and after with the Burger King - kind of eerie though.

Andrew H. said...

Grand Central Station is indeed amazing. Love the architecture. I love it when people put there minds to something fantastic and then achieve it. The people back then knew they needed train station like that if they were going to be a world force and they made it so. Great shots.

D&D said...

grand central remains such a magical place for me. it never gets old when i'm there.

pamela said...

thank you for the photos. it was a nice way to visit NY. there is so much to see! never been to ellis island just seen the statue from the water, but would like to go someday. will look for the brick, too. funny, i am always reading signs, especially in spanish, and looking how they are written. would love to make money correcting them!

Style, She Wrote said...

Love the way you captured our city. Glad you enjoyed it!

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

These are great photos! I love the lighting fixtures especially!

Chris said...

Ellis Island is wonderful place to visit. I am sure many poeple miss out on it and just take in the shopping experience of the city. To me it brought to life the disapora, the poeple who sailed to America with such high hopes and who had so many of these either fulfilled or lost.

Beatnheart said...

Hi Jeanette! Gorgeous photographs! what camera do you use. If the two of us were together , we’d both be taking pics of door handles, light fixtures etc. I can’t get enough of it. you are a wonderful photographer...

La Dolfina said...

I love your take on things.

bronwyn said...

That sign is the best thing ever! I love weird signs. And I love that you loved it and took a picture. :)