Sunday, December 28, 2014

Worked out the food ate in New York City

Ran 20 m at 10:05 per mile to burn off the food I ate in New York City. Hated to climb over the fence after a long run. — in Vienna, Virginia.

There is a restaurant in China Town (17 Mott st.) which was recommended by a tour guide so we waited in the cold for 30 minutes. You should go if you are into Americanized Chinese food.







Saturday, December 27, 2014

Cloisters museum and gardens

Another must see in New York City, Cloisters museum and gardens located in Fort Tryon Park in the Washington Heights section of Upper Manhattan and custom built with architecture and elements of medieval Europe both domestic and religious, that largely date from the twelfth through the fifteenth century and comprises approximately two thousand works of art. Felt that I was tunneled back to Armenia, Georgia (near Russia), and Spain — at The Cloisters. I enjoyed the views of the Hudson River.




















Multimeida walking tour in Harlem NYC

Took a multimedia soul tour into Harlem NYC which was used to be a totally black and dangerous neighborhood with some of NYC most interesting architecture, food, music and people. The tour guide showed old photos on iPad and played music like"Take the A Train" by Ella Fitzgerald, etc.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ_4cRG8B1g&list=RDBJ_4cRG8B1g#t=262

The highlights included tasted soul food (color green, sweet potato, etc.) at restaurant of the famous rapper Doug Fresh while he was eating there, stepped into Yatenga live world music bar (http://shrinenyc.com/index.php), and concluded at the legendary Apollo theater— at Harlem NYC.

I stayed in Harlem with a Taiwanese scholar visiting Columbia University many years ago, and we walked in a group to stay safe back then. Now the community has totally turned around, especially near the Shriver's Road, and has as many churches as dance clubs.   
















Friday, December 26, 2014

Soho Street Art tour

Took Manhattan Street Art Tour and experienced the Lower East Side (LES), a playground for street artists, with street art hidden in courtyards or on the more prominent street art facades.— at SoHo, Manhattan.

The street art is smart vandalism for spreading messages.  Taking "Art is Trash" http://franciscodepajaro.blogspot.com/ as an example, the artist's message is Converting Your Garbage Into a Fleeting Work of Art. More details at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaime-rojo-steven-harrington/art-is-trash_b_5482749.html

The artists have to work in the  midnight to avoiding getting caught by the police, unless permitted by the property owners. Some artists become well known and charge thousands for a piece of work.