Back in the Old Neighborhood

A couple of months ago my husband had to go for a wardrobe fitting on West Houston. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to tag along and spend some time in the village with my camera.

This is the doorway to my family's old apartment at 22-24 Leroy St. in Greenwich Village. I have been wanting to take a photo of it for years and had the opportunity recently. The Vespa happened to be in the right place at the right time! My great-grandfather also lived in the building next door, and I grew up visiting. The most memorable feature was a tub in the kitchen which was covered by a plank and disguised as a counter top. You don't see that anymore! I would love to see the inside of these buildings since they've been renovated.

Cafe Wha?... a village staple.

Leave the gun, take the cannoli.

Spent a hot day in Little Italy this summer with my family for my mom's birthday. Every weekend on Mulberry St. now looks like the San Gennaro festival. Well, not quite... but the street is closed and absolutely bursting with people looking at cigar rollers, gelato carts, balloon animal makers and "GTL" t-shirts. As soon as I took out my Holga, my mom goofed on me for acting like a tourist.. until she realized it was "the plastic camera", and then she was cool with it.

If you're looking for a great restaurant in Little Italy, try Il Cortile. Don't even think about not trying the Bruschetta Con Fave e Verdure.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Jan. '10

Last week, I went over to Flushing Meadows Corona Park to shoot the relics from the 1964 World's Fair. Driving back and forth on the commute to jobs, I was fascinated with the Unisphere and the remnants of the Metropolitan Pavilion. They are right next to brand new Citi Field, yet they are frozen in time with the space-age look that was so popular in the 60's. The Pavilion used to have a circus tent-like covering, and the tall round structures had elevators that brought spectators up to the circular decks. From the Grand Central or Van Wyck, they appear more like look-out posts for futuristic prison guards in a 1960's sci-fi movie.

First we have the Metropolitan Pavilion- with look-out posts in the background and lots of typical Holga light leaks and under that, The Unisphere:

NYC, July '09

These were the first black & white pics taken with my plastic camera. Being a New Yorker, I always take for granted how beautiful the city is. I rarely ever stop to take a photo, because you know, that's what tourists do! Well, not anymore.

Here is Grand Central with the Chrysler Building looming in the distance and The Chelsea Hotel.