NYC – LCS & GBML Central

Independence Day

New York (USA)

: New York (USA)

Morning saw the City calm after eleven days of rains. This sunny day allowed people to have picnics and enjoy a peaceful holiday. At eight, however, things got hectic. The roofs of the buildings welcomed the most impatient onlookers. Neighbor communities began the preparations with the following ingredients: barbecues, beers, and joy. The streets became crowded. The flood of people was on the Hudson River way to attend the expected spectacle. It was nearly time of fireworks!
And, it was amazing! For one hour, bright cubes, palms, smilies, flowers, and multicolored spheres sparkled on the sky. The views were impressive, beautiful fireworks superimposed along the Hudson River and with New Jersey at the back.

There is no thirteen

Some days ago I noticed that there is no button thirteen in the control panel of the elevator of my building. The owner, the architect, or someone else should be superstitious. Because of that, an ad hoc control panel was made and the displayer programming was adjusted to jump from 12 to 14. Nevertheless, despite […]

It is fun to see how numbers, black cats, broken mirrors, stairs, salt, and so on, all of them quotidian elements, turn into malignant for some people, and how curios folkloric remedies survive and new appear to dodge the evil or protect from it.

I am not superstitious but I admit that it is a charming way to contribute to make up mystic stories and, at the same time, keep in mind pieces of our history, which are the origin and the real explanation of these superstitions.

I encourage you to provide your comments about a superstition and its origin.

Panel control of the elevator

Everything must go

Manny’s Music, a classic among the guitar stores founded in 1935, has been definitely closed. I just visited this place twice, but the first time I already felt a unique vibe coming from the stories that it enclosed. This store, which walls were covered by pictures of legendary stars and real gems of guitars, had […]

Manny's Music, New York (USA)

Its last day was really sad. Some people came to recall old and happy memories and see off this small museum. Many others were bargain hunters looking for a great discount. There were also visitors that became part of this “everything must go” by chance since this institution was one of the main attractions around Times Square. However, they did not expect to witness the end of the tale.

Although nothing lasts forever, I do not like losing this kind of places because of money troubles and hope that, at the same time and in another place, a future legend with more luck is ready to take Manny’s Music baton.

Manny's Music, New York (USA)

Squared Sun

May said goodbye with two magic moments. On Saturday 30 and Sunday 31, the so-called Manhattanhenge, an astronomical event in which the Sun is perfectly aligned with the Manhattan’s grid, took place. The connoisseurs were ready in the strategic points, along the 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th streets, with their cameras, to hunt the perfect framing, the alignment between the Sun and the streets and buildings of the City. Those who didn’t know anything about the event could even feel that something unusual was happening since the rays of sunlight that filtered through the streets flooded them with an intense bright orange light. For all of us, it was the gift of the day. Simply impressive.

Here you have some shots of these gorgeous sunsets. Just for your information, there are two more opportunities on July 11 and July 12.

34th Street Manhattan, New York (USA) {Raw picture}

34th Street Manhattan, New York (USA) {Treatment suggested by FX}

34th Street Manhattan, New York (USA) {Raw picture}

42nd Street Manhattan, New York (USA) {Raw picture}

Sullivan Street Bakery

The Sullivan St Bakery, located in the 47th Street between the 10th and 11th Avenues, bakes every morning the famous bombolinis. What is that? It is a spongy full doughnut with vanilla cream or raspberry jam filling and sugar on the top of its outer crust. Mmm… Delicious! This breakfast is one of the petits […]

Two delicious bombolinis from the Sullivan St Bakery

Free hugs

Union Square, New York (USA)

It is good for your health! This is the slogan to get or give hugs in Union Square. Scientifically proved, hugs have beneficial effects on blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart diseases. Besides, they make feel good and get a smile out of anyone. Such happiness led Juan Mann to give free hugs to strangers, which quickly became an international movement. If you want to know more, see the official web page of the Free Hug Campaign
I agree with the positive benefits of hugs but, with the swine flu floating in the atmosphere, it is not really prudent to give hugs at will to everybody.
Anyway, I confess that, in my case, curiosity was stronger than caution and I hug the girl of the picture. I felt happy for a long while thinking of what a fun situation was.

Dirty place

It is well known that New York is a dirty place and, unfortunately, it is true. Despite good intentions of people, something else is necessary to keep clean the City.

Manhattan, New York (USA)

It is well known that New York is a dirty place and, unfortunately, it is true. Despite good intentions of people, something else is necessary to keep clean the City.