Category: Travel

NYC Street Photographs

The Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park
Times Square
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Something Magical…

Although Christmas is over, it seems to be an unspoken rule that many places are not taking down their decorations just yet. I understand. In fact a large amount of shops and public areas in NYC never took down their lights throughout the year. It seems that the shop owners probably left up the decorations to be taken down a while after the holidays, but then when the pandemic started, without saying a word to each other, they decided to keep the lights of Christmas alive throughout the year. Even into the summer there were trees filled with beautiful lights outside restaurants. There were all kinds of wonderful expressions of spirit and solidarity if you looked in the smallest places. Well…this is one of the most beautiful ornaments I have ever seen…and I couldn’t pass up taking a picture of this wonderful tree that is, you guessed it, outside! Enjoy, and there will be more photos coming your way often! Here’s a little love and spirit to ya!

Magical Manhattan

A journey through the outdoors…in the midst of a bustling city. Follow my blog to see images you don’t normally see.

Cloister

If only

I could be cloistered in The Cloisters

That beautiful structure

Standing in the center of a gorgeous park

At the highest point in Manhattan

A park so peaceful

A place so open

A world so green

Looking out over the Hudson River

With the sun shining on the water.

If only

I could look out

From the top of the stone ramparts

Filled with history

That tell the story

Of a massive battle.

Fought closer to home

Than we could feel

From our classrooms in the West.

Out here

This battle

Took place

Where. We. Are.

When it is no longer far away

We have no choice

But to take note.

Remember.

History. Is. Now.

Make it what you want

The future to reflect on.

Calm during the Madness

Today I forced myself to get out for a brief walk in the park to give my body some much-needed exercise. The scenery did not disappoint! I’ve been writing a fair amount during my quarantining due to Covid-19 in NYC and social distancing, but today I needed a break. I hope the picture I took at my local park makes you happy!

RDP: Flounder

Flounder. That’s an interesting word. I’d like to say that I’ve pulled up my bootstraps and fought my way through this with a smile on my face. Honestly, floundering is something that is hard not to do. At this moment it seems like the Big Apple is unrecognizable. I look out my window and it looks like a New York City I don’t know. It’s…devoid of people and energy. It’s…not NYC. I can only hope that everyone is at home re-configuring their lives and succeeding in the best way possible. Truthfully, this is the first time that I’ve gotten myself to the page. It’s a whirl of craziness even though everything is so still. Thousands and thousands of New Yorkers have all of the sudden become unemployed and the city is doing it’s best to accomodate all of that. It has put a massive strain on the infrastructure of the city, and we are all struggling to get through. We have quickly become the location with the highest amount of cases in the US and times are very uncertain. The interesting thing is, we will not be defeated. NY’ers…are tough, diligent, strong, and courageous. It’s been incredible, the way that the community has shown love during this time. I’m proud of my co-workers and proud of my city. NYC strong. We can do this. It may be dark now…but it will be light in time.

Photo credit: Alexis Azabache. Follow Alexis on twitter: @alexazabache1

Calm

Breathe in,

Breathe out.

Breathe in,

Breathe out.

As life grows more tense,

Here in NYC,

As the city feels,

Like the world is crashing down around us,

I find myself going deep within.

It is a constant reminder,

To breathe in,

Breathe out.

I tell myself,

We will get through this.

This, too, shall pass.

Breathe in,

Breathe out.

I try to calm the worries.

I try to slow the world around me,

By centering myself when need be.

We are in this as a planet.

We are in this together.

I close my eyes,

And I imagine,

Breathing in,

And breathing out.

Lots of love to my fellow…well…everyone out there. Times are going to be very hard, but we will prevail. We must. I’d love to say I’m some sort of zen master, but that’s just not true…Ironically, as I was writing this poem, I was constantly envisioning Star Trek’s Vulcans and their serene nature. I know that’s off topic, but I hope it gives you all a chuckle during these pressure-filled times. Have a great night!

P.S. Somehow I’m on a night sky beach phase. Maybe it’s my body telling me that I need to listen to that when all of this is over and travel is safer. Hmmm…

RDP Saturday: Water

When I thought about the word water for today’s daily prompt I considered coming up with a beautiful poem (or, hopefully beautiful, lol), but nothing came to mind. Sometimes I try too hard when it comes to writing (and life, in general). I can’t seem to be comfortable not churning out work that I think is profound. That’s not to say that any of my past work is viewed as profound, in my opinion, but sometimes I think that maybe I try to make each thought and/or statement much deeper than it really is in that moment. In other words, I’m creatively stuck just a bit and I forget that that’s okay; that not every post has to be perfect and shiny. Not today.

So here’s to loving writing by the method of brain drain today. Here’s to imperfection. Here’s to letting my mind wander and not judging what comes of it. So. Water.

When I think of the word water I hear the gurgling nature of the ocean as you come up to the surface after dunking your head, when your ears are adjusting. I think of the aqua blue beauty of the ocean in Bermuda. I go to my happy place: Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda. It brings a peaceful smile to my face in a time where the world is anxious. It brings some calm to my paranoia. Bermuda. 🙂

Photo Credit: Matthew Henry