Sunday, January 9, 2011

New York Seen Through My Eyes- Part 1

                      The Central Park New York City


The Central park boasts several lakes, theaters, ice rinks, fountains, tennis courts, baseball fields, many playgrounds and other facilities. It is also home to the Central Park Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Especially during the weekends, when cars are not allowed into the park, Central Park is a welcome oasis in this hectic city.

Central Park is one of those places that make New York such a great place to live. The huge park, 843 acres large, is located in the center of Manhattan. Its design is an example for city parks around the world.
Central Park is situated in Manhattan between 59th and 110th street and between Fifth and Eight Ave.
Being a Saturday, the park had lots of Aerobics classes going  on, I wanted to take one picture near one of the classes, but a passerby came along and and offered to take a picture of us together: looks like we both needed some Aerobics class!
I love outdoor Aerobics class.


The crown jewel of Central Park, is one of the most famous and universally loved fountains in the world : The  Bethesda Fountain.
Emma Stebbins ( the Sculptor): the center piece of the "Angel of the waters" was the only sculpture commissioned as a part of the original design of the Park naming her the first woman to receive commission of a major work of art in New York City.
The idea of the "Angel Of Waters" comes from the gospel of Saint John, Chapter 5, the story of an angel bestowing healing powers on the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. Beneath the 8 foot gilded bronze statue are 4 smaller 4 foot figures symbolising Temperance, Purity, Health and Peace. The base of the fountain was designed by Calvert Vaux with detail work by Jacob Wrey Mould. Sculpted in 1868 and unveiled in 1873.
The Plaza, a timeless landmarked New York Hotel.
Central Park 5th Avenue, endless shopping- this is New York City!!!

The Rockefeller Building


From the top of the Rock
The Rockefeller Building:
Rockefeller Center - known as a 'city in the city' - is an exceptional example of civic planning. All buildings share a common design style, Art Deco, and are connected to each other via an underground concourse, the Catacombs. The complex is nevertheless well integrated in the city of New York, especially along Fifth Avenue
There are in total three levels open to the public, including the roof terrace. The first is on the 67th floor and is completely covered. 
The observation deck on the 69th floor has glass windshields while the 70th floor is completely open to the elements, offering visitors a fabulous 360 degree view. 

 View from the top of the Rock



The famous Radio City Music Hall : One of the greatest Art Deco structures ever built, is one of the most well known landmark of New York City. Opened on December 27th 1932, with a variety show it screened the first film with Barbara Stanwyck in " The Bitter Tea Of General Yen" on January 11th 1933.
The Flatrion Building that you can see behind me, was completed in 1902, and was the first building New York with a steel frame. It also has the honour of the only surviving skyscraper in New York City.
This was our 2nd day in New York , we had taken a local tour of the city, for there were some places for which we felt it was better if we went through the local tour bus. Our tour guide was very good, funny and very knowledgeable. But, the AC in our bus was not up to the mark and although it was on and making lot of noise it didn't serve  the purpose of keeping us cool. In fact I had read in the internet that this particular tour bus was not very reliable as far as the AC was concerned, but then one has to bear such things as part of life which seems to be the same as in India, but only difference is we don't make a big fuss about it. But otherwise as I told earlier the tour was pretty good.
The Empire State Building 5th Avenue
The Empire State Building:
Built during the Great Depression, the Empire State Building symbolizes America's limitless potential. Built in just 18 months, it was the world's tallest building from 1931-1972.
The shape of the Empire State Building was inspired by its developer, John Jakob Raskob, who is said to have pulled a pencil from his drawer, held it up to his architect (William Lamb), and asked, " Bill how tall can you make it so that it won't fall down?"
The top of the building is lit up at night in different colors to celebrate various holidays. For a long time, after September 11,2001, it was continuously lit, red, white and blue. After the 09.11.2001, it regained its title as the tallest building in New York. This again will be surpassed by one World Trade Center in 20013.
Source (Skyscraper Source Media Inc.)
The Empire State Building is a legend and remains a testament to the American fortitude and ingenuity.
Ananth captured this beautiful building: The Empire State Building in our camera.

Behind me you can see the Trump Tower: so many times I  have seen people being fired by Donald Trump and walking out of this building to the waiting Yellow cab in his famous show " Apprentice"
Some fun pictures on the streets of NY
Since our Hotel was centerally located, we just walked and walked and saw  all the places of interest. It was so much fun, not realizing how the time went by, and because it was bright for a very long time. If my husband was not there to remind me of the time, I would still be roaming the streets of New York...
More to come about this lively city in the next blog.

21 comments:

  1. Rama, thank you! What a great tour you have taken us on. New York City is 3,000 miles away from me and I have never been there. The buildings are beautiful especially with your ever present smile in the foreground!

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  2. Hello! Wonderful post!
    Thank You very much for sharing!

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  3. Great tour. Lovely picture. It is pity we have been in the USA for 12 years and only once we went to NY. We need to go back now after seeing your pictures.

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  4. These are gorgeous pictures, Rama!! I felt like I was in NYC all over again. That one of the Empire State Building is incredible. Looks like you had a great time :)

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  5. Lovely pictures and description too.and I chkd thoroughly to see whether I missed anything there:)..central park was my fav. too..I nevr wanted to visit statue of liberty again, but nevr missed na chance to go to central park..its the most lovely place.

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  6. Nice pictures. Can't wait to see more, forget one post, you can dedicate a whole blog to NY city.

    My fav is the central park.

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  7. Lovely pics and a thorough description. Why did you miss out Times Square? It is one of my favorites. You brought back memories of my own visit there. I was lucky enough to get World Trade Center pics too back then.

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  8. Times Square is coming too, and so many others too, but one blog will not do justice to everything, and also it will become too long.
    I am glad that you people liked this blog, Thanks a lot.

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  9. You took me there! Rama, lovely write up and beautiful pics as well!

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  10. Thank you for the free ride to New York and for the wonderful insight. Loved the pics. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the story!

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  11. If I visited NY, those would be the sights I'd like to see! Thank you for sharing your experience. The pictures are excellent, and you look so pretty in central park - prettier even than the park (though not one millionth as large!)

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  12. Nice pictures! Looks like you went during the best time of the year! :)

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  13. Yes it was the best time of the year we were there from August to September, the weather was pleasant and we really had a nice time touring US all by car. I think it makes more sense and also saves you lot of money by driving.
    In fact the places that according to them is very hot is quite okay by our Indian standards. The only place I really felt miserable was in Hollywood, it was too hot there.

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  14. wonderful post! I first saw NYC 9 years ago with my husband. The name of your blog is great! lovely greetings from Bulgaria

    http://design-elements-blog.com/

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  15. Wonderful blog about your NY trip Rama. I have never been there, but when I go there, I will make sure I check all these places. It was nice to see NYC through your eyes. Waiting for more to come

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  16. Hi Rama ..good to know about ur trip to new york.I too love the city.You have given a nice description and iam waiting for the part 2 too.even I have written a post on my travel blog where I highlight only th imp ones.here's the link: http://raji1082.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/new-york-the-happening-city/

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  17. Looks like you had a great vacation!

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  18. Hi Rama, you have captured the Big Apple so nicely. Nice photos too!!

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