July 19 People Watching in Manhattan

I'm going to take you along on our Sunday stroll through Manhattan. NYC is definitely a people place. If America is still considered a melting pot of the world's people, it is because of New York City. Nowhere else in the world will you find such an incredible diversity of people in such a small area. I remember a few years ago when NYC was trying to get the 2012 Olympics, there was a banner on the subways saying. "If New York City gets the Olympics, every country will have home field advantage." Spend some time on the 7 train to Queens and you'll see how true that really is.

"Let me take you down, ‘Cos I’m going to Strawberry Fields. Nothing is real And nothing to get hungabout. Strawberry Fields forever. Living is easy with eyes closed Misunderstanding all you see. It’s getting hard to be someone. But it all works out, It doesn’t matter much to me." - Strawberry Fields Forever by The BeatlesWe started in Times Square. Sure it is a tourist thing to do and I've been there hundreds of times over the years. But this summer, the city closed the Broadway side of it to traffic. They set up some cheap lawn chairs (don't ask me why, but I did see a sign saying better chairs are coming in August) so fat tourists could rest in the middle of the street in Times Square. So I sat down and saw this guy. He didn't move for 10 minutes. My only guess is that he is protesting China's control over Tibet. So I went to ask him but he still didn't move, I felt like kicking him in the nuts, just to see if he'd move. But I really admired his dedication to his cause and he didn't even have a box for tips. A true believer, you have to admire that.

"I want to take this minute to introduce you to my people" - Dedication by The Beastie Boys

"You were pretty Queen of New York City" - Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues

"THEY SAY THE NEON LIGHTS ARE BRIGHT ON BROADWAY
THEY SAY THERE'S ALWAYS MAGIC IN THE AIR
BUT WHEN YOU'RE WALKIN' DOWN THE STREET
AND YOU AIN'T HAD ENOUGH TO EAT
THE GLITTER RUBS RIGHT OFF AND YOU'RE NOWHERE" - On Broadway by George Benson

These guys were in Times Square warning white people that their control of the world was coming to an end...real soon. I only listened for a few minutes but I'm pretty sure they hate America because of our support of Israel. I suppose they are some type of Muslims. Whatever they believe about America, I guarantee you that they couldn't stand in the streets of whatever country they believe is the Holy land and have the same freedom of speech that we give them.

"This land is your land This land is my land
From California to the New York island;
From the red wood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and Me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me that endless skyway:
I saw below me that golden valley:
This land was made for you and me.

I've roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts;
And all around me a voice was sounding:
This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing."
But on the other side it didn't say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.

In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people,
By the relief office I seen my people;
As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking
Is this land made for you and me?

Nobody living can ever stop me,
As I go walking that freedom highway;
Nobody living can ever make me turn back
This land was made for you and me." - This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie

I guess this what most people believe is New York attitude. Truth is most New Yorkers are very friendly. Really they are and you'd better fucking believe me, very fucking friendly.

"See I've been to New York City
Seems like it was yesterday
I was standing like a pilgrim
On the Great White Way
The girls were really pretty
But they wouldn't talk to me
I held out about a week
Went back to Tennessee" NYC by Steve Earle

This is why I love NYC. There was a street fair for over 10 blocks on Broadway north of Times Square. This lady was just standing in front of Ellen's Stardust Diner, where the wait staff is always performing while bringing your food. As soon as I got my camera out, she smiled and started playing. I mouthed "Thank You" and she blew me a kiss.

"Little "nifties" from the Fifties,
Innocent and sweet;
Sexy ladies from the Eighties,
Who are indiscreet.
They're side by side, they're glorified
Where the underworld can meet the elite,
Forty-Second Street." 42nd Street by Al Dubin

After picking up bagels at H&H and gelato at Grom on the Upper West Side, we walked through the south end of Central Park. It was a beautiful day and the park was full of people soaking it in. This trumpet player was amazing. My love of street performers has been documented on the blog in the past. These guys were great.

"and I look outside to see what's going on
but there's only New York going on
louder than usual
and I look outside to see what's right or wrong
but there's only New York going on"
- Only New York Going On by Francis Dunnery

The Sheep Meadow in Central Park. On their blankets are the sunbathers, the book readers, the fans of the Sunday papers crossword puzzles, the young lovers intertwined, the old lovers holding hands, the dog lovers throwing a frisbee. What do they all have in common. Relaxing on the grass in one of the worlds biggest cities.

This kid was shockingly good at juggling. He was doing pretty good at collecting money from the people passing by.

This juggler wasn't as good or as cute as the kid. But he did draw a huge crowd and while juggling he was chastising parents about the correct way to raise their children. He made me laugh so he gets a mention on the blog.

"Saturday in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July
Saturday in the park
I think it was the Fourth of July
People dancing, people laughing
A man selling ice cream
Singing Italian songs
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For Saturday
Saturday in the park
You'd think it was the Fourth of July
Saturday in the park
You'd think it was the Fourth of July
People talking, really smiling
A man playing guitar
Singing for us all
Will you help him change the world
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For today
Slow motion riders fly the colours of the day
A bronze man still can tell stories his own way
listen children all is not lost
all is not lost
Funny days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July
Funny days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July
People reaching, people touching
A real celebration
Waiting for us all
If we want it, really want it
Can you dig it (yes, I can)
And I've been waiting such a long time
For the day"
-Saturday In The Park by Chicago

We walked down 5th Avenue to catch the E train back to Queens. It was lined with street performers and food vendors. Damn, I'll take a dirty water hot dog, pretzel and Pepsi. No wait. I'm heading back to my Aunt Maryann's veal cutlet dinner.(Just for the record, it's my favorite meal in the world) OK, I have no will power, give me a pretzel for the subway ride.

"And love won't play any games with you
Anymore if you want 'em to
So we better shake this old thing out the door
I'll always be thinkin' of you
I'll always love you though New York
I'll always love you though New York, New York, New York"
New York, New York by Ryan Adams