I decided to relive my youth, so Beckey and I took the train into NYC. I have pretty much always drove since I got my drivers license at 16, but prior to that, my friends and I took the train on a pretty regular basis. I brought my camera, which is apparently totally safe now… everyone had a camera… unlike in the 80s/90s where having a camera marked you as a tourist and ultimately a target. I brought my camera a handful of times when I would drive in back in the 80s, but one day, while parked in Piss Alley, my car was broken into in broad daylight and my camera was stolen (along with my green BOLD t-shirt). My moms insurance covered it and I got a new camera, but that was the last time I brought it to NYC. I know you hear it all of the time, but NYC really has changed significantly since the 1980s. The subways are still hot, sticky and dirty, but there is artwork hanging up and a dedicated Music Under New York area where musicians are allowed to play. The seats are exactly the same, bright orange and yellow, but the Air Conditioning actually works and the maps and other literature is up to date and current. The streets are cleaner, there are City-Bikes everywhere, CB-GBs is now John Varvatos (which I went into, just to check it out and felt sick to my stomach), Washington Square Park is no longer sketchy, there are tons of people and families hanging out, there is a dog park, street performers and people swimming in the fountain. Psyched to see that all of the Chess tables were still there and all but two were being used. Instead of being followed by creepy dudes asking if I wanted smoke or blow, I was asked if I wanted to play Chess. I was also excited to see that Trash and Vaudeville was still on St Marks… its one of the few survivors, along with Mamouns… Not a place I used to shop in regularly, but a staple of NYC, none the less, I am happy to see it still open… Everything else I once loved is long gone… This street was a destination spot for me for many years, so many great stores, as well as DOJO and Conne Island High! I was unaware of the Love Lock trend that is apparently going on worldwide… the Brooklyn Bridge was covered in them, made for some good photo ops. Anyway… I am out of thoughts… enjoy the photos!
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 15:45:31 +0000
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