What an amazing place! I’ve never been before. When I found out my woodcut carcasses got into IPCNY’s New Prints/Autumn 2011 exhibit (see Press Release), decided it would be a great opportunity to see this city, take a leather bookbinding class at The Center for Book Arts, go to the opening to see my installation, and try to see as much of the city (Manhattan) as possible. It wouldn’t have been possible without my friend Alicia enthusiastically agreeing to be my guide and help teach me how to get around the city. She found a room in an apt. on the lower east side, and every morning we head out walking and taking the subway to my class in Chelsea. Then, while I take the class, she heads out to see her list of things to do. At 3 Alicia picks me up and off we go to see the city. Mostly on foot, but subway too, especially by nighttime…
So here’s a visual diary of Day 1 in the Big Apple (click any photo to enlarge somewhat):
Day 1, Nov. 1, 2011:
We leave our apartment around 7:30am, and walk down the street…
Our apartment on Grand Street, above the Restaurant: El Castillo de Jagua
…to The Doughnut Plant!
Just down the street from our apartment. How convenient for breakfast!
Amazing flavors!
Drooling yet?
Just a normal square donut, right?
Wrong! It's jelly-filled all the way around!!
Going to class (uptown) from our apartment on the Lower East Side
Near my class in Midtown/Chelsea: Flatiron
The Empire State Building from Chelsea
Washington Square Park
Some of the great personalities we watched at this great dog park near Washington Square.
This guy was huge! And very gentle--and patient with the not-so-mild-mannered little crazy dogs...
Brownstones near Greenwich Village
West Village storefront
We couldn't figure out how those cars got up in that "parking ramp." Nice signs too, huh?
Pretty awesome-looking cookies, huh? Amazingly we didn't stop
The Evolution Store in Soho. Most awesome store....ever.
Stuffed peacocks??!!? And so much more....skulls, many taxidermied animals (including rats). Check them out. They're online at The Evolution Store
...and man-eating piranhas...
...and of course, freeze-dried rats!!!
My favorite part of Chinatown are the storefront or outdoor markets. Here’s some pics:
Nightime fruit stands....
I love that ducks and chickens are sold/displayed wtth heads still on. You know what your's eating here..
More from the meat market
And we ended the night at Katz’s Deli (in the ‘When Harry Met Sally’ movie). Great visuals and the best reuben ever….
The famous Katz's Deli
Did you know you can have one of Katz's salamis shipped directly to you? Check out their website (katzsdelicatessen.com/)
Like I said, the BEST REUBEN EVER.
Thanks you guys! And yes, Karen, we could walk after eating all this, since we split that Reuben, AND we walked like crazy everyday! It was pretty awesome. Will bring book to next BFG if I can EVER make it to a meeting. Lots of mistakes with this first, thick leather-bound, but I learned a LOT about what NOT to do for the next one. So psyched to make some more…
Wow…I’ll have to check out the Evolution Store…for gifts for the person who has everything! ha
I’d love to see the leather-bound book you made in the class Sue. Sounds like your trip was awesome. And that rueben….well…could you walk after eating all of that? :) Karen
Inspirational-I see the next generation of woodcuts . . .
Hooray for you two! Looks like you are having a great time. And congrats!!!!!
Congratulations on inclusion in the New York show. You are an amazing artist and your recognition is well deserved. Continued success in all that you do. Say hello to James for me. :)
Clay
The food alone would make me want to visit NYC! Great post.
I am so jealous, Sue. Sounds like you are really putting in the walking time to see it all!!! Enjoy!