Mr. M

I'm finally back from a 14-day trip to the US. Specifically, to the Big Apple - to quote Frank Sinatra's song, New York New York, 'it's a city that never sleeps'. This is especially true when one eats dinner at Times Square at 3AM in the morning, with the crowd still lively and showing no signs of exhaustion.

In a nutshell, NYC is a great city. I refer to it as the Capital of the World. Because 1) it's so big, 2) it's a melting pot of cultures and 3) it's both a financial heavyweight as well as a cultural as well as artistic centre of the world. Broadway musicals are held next to towering skyscrapers of Bank of America or Metlife. Shopping havens of SOHO, Times Square and even Greenwich Village all are located in the labyrinth of buildings in Manhattan Island. The comparisons will be endless.

The 14 days I spent in NYC were magical. It was so different and so radical a departure from right-angled no-nonsense Singapore. Here, the flats (apartment blocks) simply bore me but in NYC the architecture is brilliant. Because NYC has been featured in so many movies, mundane stuff like the subway stations, the Empire State building and even the World Trade Centre have literally become standing iconic landmarks for visitors. NYC residents may not feel the same way but I feel that they are very special to be the centre of the world's attention.

If I should say anything that's related to GCZ, though, is that those Crown Victoria taxis are just great! Powerful and quiet and relatively well-built inside, I was really impressed. I was even more impressed though, when I got a ride in a Lincoln Town Car. Yes, it may be old but the idle, the noise level and the gearshifts are all excellent. Build quality is surprisingly good, too. Never underestimate American cars.

I'm still a little dizzy from all the new threads (like I mentioned in the Christmas thread) as well as the 18.5 hour flight. After uploading these pictures I shall be retiring to bed... Now, I shall share some pictures and save the words.


For you aircraft junkies: an A340-500.


We rented a Jeep (thought there would be snow) and drove from Newark in NJ to NYC. This is a view of the outskirts of NY - it's pretty polluted as you can see.


Entrance to Lincoln Tunnel.


Traffic was terrible.

A little detour brought us to a serene environment for a change...










The subway's excellent but very, very confusing. Nothing that a little practice wouldn't remedy though...



Times Square






Squirrel, for the fun of it.


Chrysler Building


The UN Building. I just heard in the news that they are going to revamp this place for more than a billion dollars due to leaking roofs and asbestos. It looks magnificent and it's a pity that should happen...


Dress made entirely of condoms. On display in the UN building.


A view of the... er, I don't know what room this is.


This is the General Assembly. For some reason, I couldn't find Singapore's table...


A portrait which signifies unity among all races.






Trump Tower. An apartment at the top costs a cool 18 million USD.




Fire trucks and their sirens are commonly heard in the city.















Ground Zero. It's difficult for me to imagine the Twin Towers when it was hit... It must have been massive because the site is simply huge.



Some murals to remember those who have been affected by 9/11.


A message left for a loved one lost.


A very strange building with no windows. Hmm... Anyone have any ideas what this building is all about?


Brooklyn Bridge.






Rockefellar Centre





The Empire State







Ferrari/Maserati showroom. No pictures allowed - pity... There was the 599GTB, 612 and F430 Spider among others.

Central Park









I have more automotive pictures @ the Spotted Today thread: http://www.germancarzone.com/showthr...t=3055&page=57

Oh and BTW guys, the Maserati's parked at the workshop now, we'll be taking delivery by the first week of January. Stay tuned.

Hope you have enjoyed the pictures.

Choleric

Stunning pictures James, I see many that would do great in our photo competitions, I am glad you seemed to have really enjoyed your trip. It is always refreshing to hear different perspectives to ones own society and culture.

Mr. M

Thanks Jeff.

I would have loved for it to snow but oh well.

Choleric

I really like your pictures of signs, for some reason I love taking pictures of signs and I love seeing unique pictures of them, and you have many.

This is one of my favourites...



it reminds me of one of your pictures in the "Your best photography" thread, you should try it in B&W as well

Mr. M

I thought I was the only weirdo loving taking pictures of signposts. I'm really interested in the font, the type and the way they present the signs. The subway sign you showed above is really classic with its arial and b&w colours along with primary colours for notices - that's one of the reason why I love New York. I don't know what style you call that font and the use of those colours but I love it anyhow.

Bruce

Looks like you had a great time James

By the way, it looks like you'll have tons of pictures to enter into future photo competitions

Nice work

Choleric

Yes, I believe it is some sort of sans-serif font, but yes I love photographing signs and that picture is classic, the red really stands out as well as the word and I like that, a lot , so nm the b&w, well maybe b&w with selective colouring on the red.

Mr. M

Yup, I'll never have to worry about having shortages of pictures again.

Have you been to NY Bruce?

Show me your own favourite picture of a sign!

Centurion

Very nice collection of pictures James, and the pictures you posted in the "what cars have you seen today" thread were also nice to rest my eyes on. NY seem to be a very spectacular city and I will definetly try to pay the big apple a visit during the coming 2 years. Too bad I'm moving to SoCal in two weeks and will be on the other side of the country.

Bruce

Nope, never been there. From all I've heard it looks like a very interesting place to go, hpefully I visit one day. Even if the traffic is a little "dense"