Memorial Weekend on Brooklyn Bridge Part I

On Sunday I walked home across the Brooklyn Bridge. Usually I pass through the area either underground or in a car, and there is never much to see. But the bike/walking areas are all elevated, and the entire Manhattan skyline is visible from the bridge, as well as other landmarks. Whenever the sun is out, the tourist attractions are full of people, and Memorial weekend brought a lot of people to the boardwalk.

There are gates to keep people from walking up the suspension lines, in case you were wondering (I was...).

The Mahattan Bridge makes for a better walk because the pedestrian ramp is on the edge of the bridge, while pedestrians walk on the top of the Brooklyn Bridge, away from the side.

The spire on the left is the Empire State Building, and the spire on the right is the Chrysler Building.

Span and plaque on Brooklyn Bridge.

Prospect Park

I took a walk in Prospect Park, which is a large park in the middle of Brooklyn. I really liked it there. There were far more trees than Central Park, with not only lots of shaded areas but actually quite isolated paths. I saw a drummer's get together at Drummer's Grove, where anybody with a drum could join the circle of drummers. Some people danced in the middle, most watched from the side, and there were booths selling African themed crafts.

Musicians on the Subway

Every day someone will come on the subway for purposes other than traveling. One third are people who tell a story of misfortune and ask for spare change from the riders. Another third are people who awkwardly sing or play an instrument for about 30 seconds, then walk around with a hat or can for change. The remaining third are people who sing or play an instrument well, who sometimes walk around with a hat or can, but seem to be playing because they like doing it. The musicians who do their thing because they like it are nice to have on the subway. The others are annoying. Then there is that guy with the bongos who likes what he is doing, doesn't ask for money, and should absolutely be forbidden from making all that racket and turning my trip home into a ride on a torture wagon.

Upstate Trip

I took a day trip to Upstate New York. It was nice to see the mountains again. I love the air there! I wanted to go camping, but that will have to wait for another time. I don't see as much difference between living in the city and visiting the mountains as I thought I would. Both places have lots of greenery. Oh, and I saw deer! Haven't seen deer in quite a while. I use to bump into them while hiking.

All Roads Lead To...Times Square???

MTA did it to me again today. I was peacefully sitting on the Q line, and after we crossed Manhattan bridge I counted the stops until my station, and got off. Everything went without a hitch up to this point, but I had NO idea where I was. I pulled my earphone out and listened to the announcement from the train "uh...this train will be going local now..sorry about that...". I think they ended up on the wrong line. So from there on they pretended they were an F line or something like that, except when we got to Times Square, they announced it was the last stop for this train (I think someone wanted their train back). So there I was, another lost Canadian abandoned at the Crossroads of the World by the MTA, ay. Where they had that bomb a couples day ago, too. I spent some time trying to get my bearings, then headed north to good old Central Park, and hiked 40 minutes to my real destination.

"um..hi, can you take my picture? I'm like totally not suppose to be here..."

I spotted other wary travelers no doubt lost here much longer than I.

There were some pretty big screens

Even McDonald's in Times Square is all pimped out with McBling!

The adventure didn't end there, though. On the way back home, I got down to the express line, and when I went down the stairs the train was waiting with its doors invitingly open. I got in, and waited. We weren't going anywhere, nothing was happening. Then the announcer came on and said that this line was now out of service, and all trains would be going local on the local track. What?! Not again! Did I break it?! So I got out, and got in line to go back up stairs. They closed the doors of the almost empty train, except for that old guy who didn't want to leave. Then the lights went out (that old guy is probably still in there...), and the line was shut down.

Filming at the Time Warner Tower

A lazy hot afternoon in Central Park.

The Columbus Circle monument.

The film crew.

Strangers getting into the shot.

So, I went out for a walk through Central Park to Whole Foods. Down at Columbus Circle there was about 20 actors who would start spinning in the crowd that would cross Broadway when the light was red. They did many takes, and even people who had nothing to do with the shoot would cross and start spinning for the heck of it.

Even the trees are accessorizing this year!