NYC Trip - 8.11.09 - Brooklyn/Manhattan, NY

Before heading back home, I had one last day in NYC. It was filled with a trip to B&H and lunch at Tahini - the best falafal place ever in Chelsea. I also witnessed a close call with a taxi cab and a bus both trying to turn left - a New York trip isn't complete without some kind of taxi/vehicle experience. I had a great time in the Big Apple - it was crazy driving through it - but it was a great experience nonetheless.



Both the taxi cab AND the bus decide to turn left at the same time. Let's just say there was a lot of beeping and cussing. Fortunately, there was not an accident to witness, just a very very close call.

NYC Skyline - 8.10.09 - Brooklyn/Manhattan, NY

With New York City known for the motto "the city that never sleeps" - the electricity and the vibrant color of the lights provide the argument that the people and places are still functioning even in the wee hours of the night.

NYC Trip - 8.10.09 - Brooklyn/Manhattan, NY

After driving another 3 hours down from Upstate New York to NYC, I helped Marie Claire move from her old apartment where I stayed to her new apartment where I was going to stay for the night as well. I met her roommate and a friend from Cali who was also staying for the time being. It was Vivian's first time in NYC and so we decided to check out the place a bit.

Our first stop was actually a dumplings place where they make the best dumplings I have ever tasted. It was delicious. Next, we headed to Pinkberry for some dessert. Luckily, another roommate, ? (I will get his name for you soon), was the manager for the night and needless to say...we got FREE yogurt!

Note: there was a hilarious moment when we stayed after the store was closed to keep ?(insert name here) company. Even with the barred gate closed halfway, customers were still trying to come in and wondering whether the store was closed. Umm, if the gate is down I would think so.




After being stuffed from the Pinkberry dessert we actually headed to a spot to take some landscape/scenic photos. I will post that on a separate entry.

Below is a photo of everyone resting and digesting after a fun-filled, stomach-filled evening.

Catskill Mountains Drive - 8.10.09 - Big Indian, NY

My drive back to NYC was quite eventful while encountering a horse. This animal was quite amazing. I felt like it enjoyed me taking photos. If horse weekly needs a model for their shoot, I know a horse that would be perfect for the job.

Giant's Ledge Hike (Catskill Mountains) - 8.10.09 - Big Indian, NY

Since I was already in upstate New York, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to take some landscape photos and do some hiking on the Catskill Mountains.

I was referred to a place called Giant's Ledge which was only about a few miles drive from Full Moon Resort. I brought my gear and was told that the hike was not so treacherous and only about a mile long on flat land....Boy, was I fooled. The hike was a 3 mile rock scramble! I don't know if I took the right path but it was definitely a workout with all my camera gear. I used my monopod as a walking stick - haha.

But the struggle was worth the wait. The site was breathtaking. The weather was perfect. I actually stayed up there for about an hour - reading a book (The Time Traveler's Wife) and contemplating about the world. Also, no cellphone service here. It was definitely a time to really relax.

NYC Trip - 8.9.09 - Brooklyn, NY

To help from driving the straight 7 hours to Ashley & Don's wedding in Big Indian, NY (The Catskills), I was lucky enough to stay over at my friend Marie Claire's place in Brooklyn! I drove yesterday and arrived late last night. We ended up eating New York Gourmet Pizza at this local pizza joint and had Chicken Caesar, Buffalo Chicken and I forget the last type of pizza but they were ALL delicious!

Here are some pictures from my quick morning in Brooklyn before I headed to upstate New York!

Marie Claire and her roommate's apartment was such a quaint place to live. I attempted to climb outside and use their fire escape which didn't work and didn't have access to the roof. hehe. Nevertheless, they used their space outside to grow their plants and be eco-friendly.


We headed out to breakfast at a place just down the street. On the walk there, I did some street photography and tried to find photos that represented that location - Graham Avenue. The September 11th photo is a constant reminder that the day is and will be a part of the city. The man and the dog is one of my favorites with the "one shot only" kind of deal. Also, he was hilarious and kept talking to us while he was on the phone, so we had no idea who he was really talking to.



So sadly, the breakfast place around the corner didn't open in time for me to eat and be on the road. No worries, I was told there was an awesome place called Fabiane's but it was 2 stops on the subway. The metro ride to Bedford Avenue was short but there were some awesome grafitti and now this "graffiti pasting" is a big hit. Once at the breakfast place, the food themselves were faboulous. We each had the egg quiche bowls (?), shared a carrot cake and I had some chai tea to drink. Plus we ate it outside in the outside seating area to people watch. And that's how you catch breakfast in New York!