New York, New York! (Part 1)

Central Park bench:
The wisdom of New York city...

A few days ago, I *almost* wrote a story, and it started like this...

These vagabond shoes 

They are longing to stray 

Right through the very heart of it 

New York, New York...

(New York, New York lyrics)

I was still in New York city, then. I felt like sharing my excitement with you, my reader. The spotty WiFi connection at my hotel did not allow it. Dommage. 

Here I am, chez moi, on the West Coast. Yes, New York is still my girl. Yes, New York is fine; or will be fine, once all the people who have been affected by Sandy (what a friendly name for such an unfriendly broad...) have been able to pick up the pieces the storm left behind and find some normalcy in their lives once again.

For a few days, I was a tourist in New York, back in the big city I love, as Manhattan was getting ready for the Thanksgiving celebrations and the Holidays. The weather cooperated, and I was greeted every single morning by crisp blue skies as I stepped outside. This is a privilege we, Seattleites, real or imported, never take for granted, especially in November. Merci, New York, for your warm welcome. It was great to see you, too. 

There have been many New York trips over the years for this French Girl. This visit had been planned around a big event scheduled on the last night (it did not disappoint...) But I was determined to do things a bit differently this time, and stayed away from major attractions, popular locations, museums; in short, from all the places where long lines of tourists would be forming. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with being a tourist, either in New York city or anywhere else, but it is a tourist's privilege to decide how they want to approach a city. 

This time, I picked a theme: "les quartiers." Neighborhoods. New York is a city of neighborhoods or villages. Meatpacking district. Chelsea. East Village. West Village. Soho. Tribeca, and more. All I needed to do was select a section of the city in the morning. Hop on a Subway, Metrocard in hand. Walk, often for hours. Lose myself in the heart of a neighborhood. Left. Right. Left. Another right, pourquoi pas? Let's see where my feet take me... Busy street. Deserted street. Wonderful, wonderful New York streets...

West Village

East Village

East Village 

TriBeCa

Look up at buildings. Always find the time to look at the buildings... Buildings, like fingerprints, tell the story of a city... 

In a big city, locals rush. They work. They commute. They run; looking straight ahead. They don't smile. Out of town visitors call them rude. Man up, out of town visitors! New Yorkers are not rude. Parisians are not rude. They are busy tackling life in the big city. They have no time to hold the tourist's hand. You, the tourist, are the lucky one. Stay out of the locals' way. And take your time, because you can. Look around. Notice details in the great urban landscape others may take for granted. 

More New York wisdom...

Central Park

Central Park bench

East Village building

Inside the Chelsea Market

Washington Square Park

Some visitors insist on being part of "it;" the life of the city. They want to feel as if they belong. Weekends are a good place to catch locals while - at last - they slow down and enjoy their city. Parks are often a good choice. Parks are precious in crazy, big cities. Nobody knows it better than New Yorkers. Just go to Central Park on a sunny Saturday or Sunday morning and watch them at play...

Central Park

Central Park

... or visit New York's newest park, the High Line. An amazing walk above an amazing city; built on old, elevated railroad tracks on Manhattan's West Side; long retired, and recently brought back to life by committed volunteers in love with their neighborhood.

The High Line

The old tracks are still there...

A large window, and bleachers so New Yorkers can watch their favorite show:
New York, the city that never sleeps...

Enjoying New York city from above...

All great cities have trendy neighborhoods, and neighborhoods are trendy because locals made them. New York city is no exception. I went to Soho soon after I arrived, and returned a couple of days later. Soho has it all: light (no skyscrapers there,) shops, restaurants, wonderful architecture, and many, many New Yorkers... in other words, excellent people-watching (and you all know how much I love this!)

Phew. I don't know about you, but these vagabond shoes are tired just reminiscing about all these wonderful spots; and the hours of walking it took to explore them. Better to take a break. I will be back next week with Part 2 of this story. Will you join me?

As always, thank you for reading; for commenting; for following, here or on Facebook. The messages you sent during my trip; the recommendations you offered; were most appreciated. I am a lucky French Girl because wherever I travel, I am never alone...


A bientôt.

These vagabond shoes need a rest... Until next time... 

All photos by French Girl in Seattle

Please do not use, reprint or Pin without permission.

-- French Girl in Seattle