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W A L K
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Introduction
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Sunrise
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Morning
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Noon
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Af ternoon
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Sunset
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Night
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Conclusion
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Amidst all the chaos, the people, the noise, and the distractions, I’ve come to find New York City as a very peaceful place. My favorite thing to do in this crowded city is to take long walks by myself. Maybe it’s because I’m an introvert, and I can always find refuge and peace inside of my head, buried in my thoughts. I delight in the simple action of taking a walk to anywhere, near or far, and just observe and think. This book is a collection of my six favorite walks around New York City, ranging from Uptown Manhattan all the way down the Brooklyn Bridge. To make it even more intimate, I’ve organized these walks according to my favorite time of the day to be there, from sunrise to night, making each journey that more special.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
3
Rise & Run S
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B R O O K
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B R I D G E
I set out to begin my walk in the early morning. I love walking the Brooklyn Bridge, but because it is so far from me I don’t get to experience it often, not to mention that it’s such a tourist attraction. What better time to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, than sunrise? Or so I thought… I fully imagined arriving to the Brooklyn Bridge to the most perfect lighting, catching the sun just as it rises over Manhattan and Brooklyn. I thought I would be the only person there at the perfect time to witness it. I was wrong. The lighting wasn’t perfect, and I definitely wasn’t the only one at the bridge early in the morning. Although this walk did not realize itself as I had anticipated, it was still exceptional, and I had the most amazing view of the city. I wasn’t alone, but the boardwalk wasn’t nearly as crowded as usual. This gave me time to think and meditate, the early morning breeze cutting crisply into my lungs.
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B R O O K
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BOARDWALK MESSAGE
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or someone who doesn’t walk the Brooklyn Bridge boardwalk every day it is an incredibly perilous feeling to walk along what appear to be very flimsy wood planks. The further along the bridge I got, the less steady the wooden planks felt under my feet. I couldn’t help but keep staring at the ground, ready to run for my life should anything shift under me. The reverberations from the jogger’s heavy footsteps didn’t help me feel any more secure. Needless to say I spent the first half of my
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walk with my eyes on the ground, and that’s where I came across this boardwalk message. Written out in blue chalk, over a painted walk sign, was the message “Don’t Fill Me with Pain.” Although this was nothing more than simple graffiti on the floor, I couldn’t help but pause to think about the gesture, and the meaning behind that sentiment. I then wondered about the person who wrote that message, and whether it was an expression of how they were feeling at that moment, or simply well meaning advice from an anonymous sage.
B R O O K
L Y
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B R I D G E
THE RUNNER
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y walk to the Brooklyn Bridge quickly became all about the morning joggers I passed. I was initially baffled by the thought that someone would forsake glorious early morning sleep in order to jog. As a grad student, and a night owl, there’s very little I would get up early in the morning for, as I’d much rather sleep. But then again, I am not a runner. By the end of my walk that morning, however, after seeing dedicated runner after dedicated runner, I had to give
them credit for their commitment and perseverance. I must admit it was pretty wonderful seeing people of all ages, shapes and sizes going through their ritual morning run. And I suppose it makes sense, after all, if you are a health-conscious New Yorker, with the virtue of living close to the Brooklyn Bridge, that you should take advantage of the opportunity. What a great way to start the day. The roads are clear, the air is fresh, the view is beautiful—what more can a runner ask for?
S U N R I S E
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Bubbles & Music M
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Museum Mile is this wonderful section of 5th Avenue on the Upper East Side. My absolute favorite time to be here is in the morning. It’s a wonderful way to begin your day, especially on a breezy morning in early fall. Being lucky enough to live within walking distance, I often take the time to have a morning walk to one of my favorite museums, the Met. I seem to have chosen the perfect morning to take a walk along the Met, because I encountered so many wonderfully unexpected sights. Indeed there was as much art and culture taking place outside of the Met, as there was inside. What a delightful way to spend my morning.
M O R N I N G
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IN AWE
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hildren are so interesting to watch and observe. It’s wonderfully refreshing how they let themselves feel every emotion that comes to them without inhibition. During my walks I don’t really like to interact or engage with others, but I do like to observe. I have always been the observant, reserved type. On this morning, the Met steps were crowded and packed with tourists, as usual. But there was a really interesting street performer who was blowing massive bubbles, which
would fly low over the fountain and then soar up to the sky. I stood there watching this man create magnificent bubble after magnificent bubble. As an adult watching this I was so fascinated, but the children who gathered around the “Bubble Man” and watched in wonder and amazement really stole the show. It genuinely made me happy to watch the expression on this one kid’s face as he watched the bubbles fly into the air. In that moment, it seemed as if that was the single most exciting thing he had ever witnessed.
M O R N I N G
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MY GIRL
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definitely picked the perfect day to walk around the Met. Not only were there bubbles in the sky, there was also beautiful music in the atmosphere. Large crowds of people always gather around the steps of the Met; some traffic comes from people exiting the museum, the other comes from tourists who are simply tired of walking, and want to take a moment to sit and take in the sights. I’ve always been in awe of the Met steps—they are so grandiose, and while sitting on them you have an amazing view of the park, and the
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rich nearby town homes and government buildings. Street performers take great advantage of this, as the adjacent sidewalk has practically become a stage. This morning, an incredibly talented group of men, varying in ages, were performing a rendition of “My Girl” by The Temptations. It was a really good a capella cover, lightly accompanied by a cello, finger snapping, and the occasional hand clap from the audience. The sheer amount of talent that I encounter in the city on a daily basis is truly astounding, and humbling as well.
Hide & Seek N
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S C H U R
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P A
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There are so many parks in New York City, although Central Park is by far the most popular one. Carl Schurz Park is a little hidden oasis facing the East river in uptown Manhattan. It’s a small park, and therefore almost frequented exclusively by residents. I am lucky enough to be one of those residents, and I love to take long walks around the many hidden paths and walkways. You’d be surprised, the random things you come across in this peaceful upper east side park.
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S C H U R
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HIDING
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t seems that each person that comes to this park has a favorite secret spot that they like to be in, to find peace and spend time with nature. I was particularly intrigued by a woman sitting in a corner, lovingly hidden by trees. I think she may either have been reading a book, or drawing a sketch. I didn’t dare go closer to investigate because she seemed so at peace in her own little world, and I respected that. As I looked on to the woman hiding in the leaves, I wondered if she was a resident of the neighborhood,
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and whether or not she came to the park often. I also wondered if this indeed was her favorite spot to be in the park, or whether she had just chanced upon it on this particular early afternoon day. Either way, after I noticed this woman, I couldn’t help but keep noticing how people were hidden in various parts of the park, each doing their own thing, existing in their own little world, communing with nature.
C A
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P A
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THE PARROT
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earing the ending of this walk I encountered a lovely surprise; a woman and her parrot, picnicking on a blanket. The woman, casually enjoying a book, and the parrot, obediently sitting on her shoulder enjoying the view. This was definitely the most bizarre activity I observed in the park, but I loved how casual that whole scene was. I was especially impressed with how well behaved the parrot was. I my mind I kept expecting it to fly away at any moment. But no, this
parrot sat diligently on the shoulder of the woman, and continued to behave even as passersby stopped in to look on, or to engage in conversation with the woman. Many, including myself, took pictures to capture this quirky moment in the park, and the woman smiled on, completely at peace, enjoying the attention as much as she was enjoying her book. I think this little scene captured the essence of my walk through Carl Schurz; peaceful, but also surprising in unexpected ways.
N O O N
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Leaves & Shadows A
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G R E E N W I C H
V I L L
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Walking through the long residential streets of Greenwich Village, I admire the beautiful fall afternoon and the picturesque
neighborhood.
There
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pockets of shade that are created along the long tree-lined sidewalks. The architecture is also very romantic, and I can’t help but look up at it admiringly as I walk through the neighborhood. Looking up at the balconies I feel like I’ll see Juliet at any moment, calling for her Romeo. The light is both rich and warm, complementing the warmth of the red brick town homes. The shadows cast by the trees on this particular afternoon, reflect starkly against the brick walls of the residential homes, creating a beautiful pattern of shadow and light.
A F T E R N O O N
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G R E E N W I C H
V I L L
A G E
THE RED DOOR
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hile walking I came across a beautiful town home with a striking red door. It was perhaps the most memorable visual image from my afternoon Greenwich Village Walk. As I walked through the neighborhood I kept wondering, who lives behind that red door? And what made them decide to pain it red? Perhaps it was to stand out in the neighborhood, or maybe it was an effort to match the soft pink of the exterior walls. In any case, I began to
make up stories in my head of the family that might be lucky enough to come home to the house or apartment with the red door, in the quiet Greenwich Village neighborhood. The entire house was very striking. From the pink walls, to the green boarded up windows, to the leaning green pole with graffiti writing on it— the house had a slight undertone of dilapidation and charm all at the same time.
A F T E R N O O N
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G R E E N W I C H
V I L L
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DETAILS
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y entire walk through this Greenwich Village neighborhood was framed by one striking detail; the black wrought iron railings along the tree lined sidewalks. The dark black ornamental railings juxtaposed against the light pastels and greens of the neighborhood added to the elegant feel of this walk. It also added richness, and a sense of time and longevity,
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as I can only guess that these railings have been part of the landscape and architecture of the neighborhood for centuries. The intricate curved patterns in the fence railings were also mimicked in the wrought ironwork found in the balconies above. I remember my walk feeling so romantic and decadent. As a designer, it is really the details that captivate and intrigue me; they’re what make a place memorable.
Levels & Layers S
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What I really enjoy about the Highline during this particular time of day is how the shadows interplay with the different materials used in the architecture of the space. For example, the angles and the curvature of a metal stair railing, juxtaposed with a brick wall and plants. The Highline is this wonderful urban jungle gym. It is so playful, and so free, and so full of nature that you forget for a second that you’re in the context of an urban city.
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THE CREEPY SCULPTURE
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nexpected, strange, and a bit creepy are three words to describe this curious sculpture I came across during my walk through the Highline. I wasn’t the only one who felt compelled to stop and take pictures of this truly peculiar guy planted in the leaves. What made it all the more bizarre was the colorful knitted cap adorning his head, and the pole that comprised his body. The Highline has a practice of featuring local artists who create public art for the park’s many visitors. I
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have walked along the Highline enough times, and have seen my fair share of interesting art, but this really stood out to me, as well as to everyone else who walked past this sculpture. It provided a nice pause to the rhythm of people walking along the straight narrow walkways. I am curious to know what the meaning behind this installation was, what message was intended by it, and how the artist hoped that the audience of passersby would react.
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SIGHT LINES
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iving on the Highline must certainly have its advantages and disadvantages. Walking past the residential buildings along the Highline, I wondered to myself what it must be like to live in one of those homes—it must truly feel like being part of a peep show. The small exhibitionist side of me, the one that likes to perform and feeds off of the energy of crowds, tells me that it must be somewhat of a thrilling experience, being an integral element of a
public space. However, the private side of me feels that it would get old quickly, and that the desire to have your own privacy would soon overcome the excitement that a constant audience brings. Not to mention having to deal with constantly being photographed and dealing with the daily noise of passersby. Certainly a less than ideal situation. Besides, actually living on the Highline, would take way the novelty from the experience of visiting the space.
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Dark & Bright N
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This park is one of my most recent finds in the city. I don’t know how I’ve been so oblivious to it, perhaps because I’m never in the area at this time of night. Nevertheless, it has quickly become one of my favorite places. The vibe, especially when it’s dark, is mesmerizing. There are young people, old people and everything in between.
N I G H T
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W A S H I N G T O N
S Q.
P A
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THE ARCH
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was so intrigued that I had to stop and stand under it. Just to be engulfed by all its glory. When I returned home from my walk I was inspired to learn more about the history of this park.
Inspired by Roman triumphal arches, the arch of Washington Square Park was erected in 1889 to celebrate the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration. It replaced an older arch made out of wood and stucco near the site that was meant to be
a temporary structure. This newer arch became the symbol of a new America devoted to the art as well as a site of artistic and social rebellion. At one point cars used to pass under the arch. I found this to be really interesting, because I imagine that back when there was car traffic near the arch, it wasn’t as accessible to pedestrians as it is now. And I imagine back then, I wouldn’t have been able to encounter the arch the way that I did on my walk.
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W A S H I N G T O N
S Q.
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LAST CALL
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he very last stop of my day was a bench in the middle of Washington Square Park. Here I sat, and watched a street performer play a beautiful melody on his grand piano. The first thought to cross my mind was that I couldn’t have envisioned a better way to end my day spent walking. The second thought was how in the world did that performer get his grand piano to Washington Square Park? Perhaps there is hidden
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storage where large instruments are placed, because I have never seen anyone casually walk their piano on the street. I quickly decided to get over my incredulity, and just enjoy the atmosphere and the scenery. I did not recognize the song he was playing, but all the same it was nothing short of beautiful. And so I sat there on a bench, admiring the piano player, smiling to myself, satisfied that my walk was thoroughly complete.
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These walks have been everything I imagined and more. It’s wonderful how you can revisit a place over and over and still find something new each time, adding on to, and enriching the experience with each journey. There is always so much to see, and I am always left in awe by that one unexpected encounter with nature, that peculiar person, that interesting piece of architecture, that leaves me wondering, setting my imagination wild. I really challenged myself in writing and photographing all of the content for this book, especially taking into consideration how specific I have been about time and place. But the end result has been truly rewarding. I have journaled and documented a very personal piece of myself to share with the public, that they may understand me better, and have a deeper appreciation for the beauty and wonder that surrounds us New Yorkers.
C O N C L U S I O N
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But the beauty is in the walking—we are betrayed by destinations. -Gwyn Thomas
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