There Really is No Place Like it

New York, New York

I told you I would have more pictures of the Chrysler Building and what is more American than Chrysler. But wait...didn't they just form an alliance with Italian car maker Fiat?

Well with the recent news that Steve and Heather will be making a trip to NYC to visit me (in two weeks) it got me thinking about the things I have had to get use to while living in the city this past month.

First I guess is the noise…..the constant, every growing noise. Does not matter what time of day or night, you will hear the horns honking, the sirens will be wailing and the traffic will be moving. I must say though…..it does not bother me that much....or maybe just less than I thought it would. I actually have trouble falling asleep without the sirens and let’s face it people honk their horns just for the sake of honking their horns so it really just becomes white noise.

This is the street I live on and this is the random crane that was blocking my street one morning. They were doing something on the roof of the building across the street (a new heating unit or something really big like that). Lots of people were just standing around watching. I guess stuff like this doesn't happen everyday......even in New York.

The second is the ever present presence of the NYPD. They seem to do a lot of practice runs of stuff because there are always parades of police cars going by and intersections being blocked off. They stand on every corner....just standing there, reminding you they exisit. And of course you can always find them at larger intersections......directing traffic. I am sure though that for every member I can see.....there are many more I cannot.

A line of NYPD cars awaiting their turn to parade down the street. Didn't really look like anything was going on and they let a lot of people just hang around so I am sure it was just a dry run.

I guess the big one is the people…..and they are everywhere. Far too many people for just one island and during the day there are like 4 million or so more since so many people travel to Manhattan just for work. Crazy, crazy, crazy.....but I am getting use to it. Maybe I am just going crazy too.

Sorry this just looks out of place on Lexington Ave.....until you realize the building across the street is the 69th Regiment Armory. It's construction was completed in 1906 and it was named a National Historical Site in 1965. It still houses the U.S 69th Infantry Regiment. I will have to get some pictures of the building itself another day.

I am sure Steve and Heather will have no problem adapting either. In this city you have to take the bad along with all the good and always keep in mind.....there really is no other city like New York City......and I've looked.

One of the 3 parades of police cars I watched while standing at Grand Central Station. It really is a normal scene on the weekends.

In other news.....I found the Polish Consulate today.......just in case I need it.

Welcome to Poland.

Julie