. . . led me on a brief trip down memory lane today. As my friends here know, Manhattan was my home for about ten years, way back in the previous century.

First, Central Park's Sheep Meadow, shot on a chilly weekday during a visit a few years ago, where I sometimes spent Sunday afternoons.  It can get crowded on weekends during warm weather.

One of the many "characters" that Exploring will undoubtedly encounter during her time in the Big Apple.  This one was at the Columbus Circle entrance of Central Park.

Another "character," this one from around 1990.  On weekends he used to tow his piano into the park and play for donations.

And finally, one from the "things that ain't there no more" department.  I shot this sometime in the late 1980's while I was stinking drunk on a rocking boat in the middle of the Hudson River.  This photo and the one above are scans from slides, which is why they have some "artifacts" on them.

Thanks, Exploring, for the humorous reminder of how colorful New York can be.  I hope you enjoy living there as much as I did!

nice one Rob .... cool journal !!!

very good pics...

Rob: You promised if I let you take my photo sleeping on the bench that you would not publish it. *(%^&%^@.

I have a few photos of the towers while they were under construction in the early 1970's - I need to find them and scan.

I'll be in the city for a conference the first week of June if you are still nostalgic and make the trip for a pint at PJ Clarke's - maybe I'll make a TF event.

Great photos as always and thank you.

wow!

did you write and put that big paper next to sleepy man to get funny shot lor? ^^ hehehe

he will put you on the street!!

nice pics, rob!

wowww! wonderful

Hehe...I guess the guy in #2 has counted it all out :-)

Rob

I think I remember that guy at Columbus Circle... but it was way before he could co-op the Interent for "assistance".... )

I have pic from the Circle Line Tour (still a top three item to do in NYC - IMO) of the Towers being built!!

and unfortunatly the memories of friends who went down with them a few years ago.... (

I just was back from work and shopping a bit to boost up my energy after long stressfu hours at work and rushed to surfing TF,I never addicted to somethings like this before LOL.Thanks Rob for a very helpful info ,helping me to be aware of beautiful and bad parts of NY can be.Like my name, I need someone or more than one to remind me the truth because not only do I like exploring,but also I like adding more risk percieving as fun to my life as well .Being inexperience is kinda disturbing sometimes.

Ciaran: Thanks!

VityaOmariWest: Glad you like 'em!

newyorkd: I wish I could be there! There used to be a Ray Bari Pizza parlor across from P.J. Clarke on 3rd Avenue, and I down many slices there--although nothing beat the flagship Ray Bari at 75th St. That one is still there, but now sold out and makes fast food-style pizza.

BuabaaBambie:

natural: I'm not clever enough to think of something like that!

garlic: Thanks!

need_friends: It is indeed a wonderful place!

Poul: Haha! Yes, probably even has an alarm clock in his pocket!

Danno: There are hundreds of "characters" around there, most of them--unfortunately--far more sad than humorous.

Exploring: Being inexperienced can also be fun! Sure, you'll learn a few things the hard way; but you'll discover *many* more good things--like your favorite movie scene. One of mine is also in CP: the Wollman ice skating rink in Central Park (in "Serendipity").

Well, to me NYC and America is one of the best part in my life now.I felt so satisfiled by the nature of the city,feeling like finally I find the place I belong LOL, it is so colorful,vivid,gorgeous,amazing,even when I have bad day at work and I realize that I am here,land of opportunities and hopes(still ...to me).Enough then, you will know now how much I am so in love with the places.

Exploring: I know exactly what you mean. I felt the same way when I lived there, and even now when I go back to visit there. It is the most vibrant, exciting place on earth!

beautiful pictures as usual Rob, btw who is that guy?

soda: First one appeared to be someone looking to get a free handout to buy his next bottle of cheap liquor. The second one was a fairly accomplished pianist who apparently lived somewhere on 8th Avenue.