Week 38
September 29, 2016
Harlem
Train In/Out: Fairfield, CT
Miles walked: 6
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with m.Zuiko 17mm f1.8, m.Zuiko 12-40mm PRO, m.Zuiko 8mm fisheye
Back to Harlem today with 3 photographer friends. We had more time than the first visit a few weeks ago. Once again, the people were so friendly and gracious. While researching, I noticed another blogger say the same thing, that she had more people say hello to her in her one day exploring Harlem than 3 years living in Manhattan.
The architecture in Harlem is beautiful, and in the majority of the area we explored, the buildings are well maintained.
What struck me here is that a man was standing in the ditch as this huge machine was clawing through the dirt. Seemed dangerous. Hard working people.
Today was a stellar day for #peopleleavingdrinks, my special Collections page on the website of "special" abandoned drinks. I loved the wood carvings...then I spotted the abandoned water bottle. Score. :)
This would have worked much better had he been wearing a longer coat because we definitely had a strong breeze blowing!
Memorial to Adam Clayton Powell at the corner of 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
We were admiring the church, taking a few photos from the sidewalk when a woman came out and told us we were not allowed to take pictures of the church. A bit odd, and yes, it is perfectly legal to take pictures of anything that is visible from a public sidewalk. The church also had this "no sitting on the stairs" sign. Not super welcoming in my opinion. I suppose they may have loitering issues in the area.
We met Christopher outside of the (former) Hotel Teresa. He was a talker! He had all sorts of items in his bag and was eager to share with us. He is holding an old Polaroid digital camera that he was very proud of. A kind soul.
This man was a character. He was talking to my friend, Gene, when we were by that Powell statue earlier...asked him for a dollar. Super friendly, was totally fine that no one gave him money. And then we ran into him 15 minutes later and he was just so animated. He got a kick out of our cameras.
I photographed the mural last time I was here. Today I wanted to show the Koch Building in the distance. I love the arches.
The brownstones throughout Harlem are amazing. As are my lack of architecture photography skills. My friend Colin, who was with me today, did an outstanding job with his photos of the buildings. I look forward to learning more about architecture photography. It's all about the angle I think. Right now I'm not where I want to be, but I wanted to share a few halfway decent photos of the area so you could see the buidings.
These little grocery fliers were everywhere and stuck in all sorts of places, I guess so they wouldn't blow away. I had fun with this railing (much easier to photograph than large buildings!).
The tall white building was a very elegant luxury hotel back in the day called Hotel Teresa. It's now an office building.
Going no where.
Agreed.
This was a senior center / senior housing. Beautiful mural.
The arched columns on this building were gorgeous.
More or less... ;)
Pictures DO NOT do this church justice. It is the most ornate building I think I've ever seen. It almost "vibrated" in your eyes. Every nook and cranny had detail. I took a fisheye shot to be able to capture the entire building, my other lenses couldn't do that due to the size.
Saint Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 219 West 132nd Street, Harlem.
The issue that we found with all the churches in the area (and there were a ton) is that they were all locked. In Manhattan most every church is open and welcomes the public, but not in this area. I can only imagine what it looks like inside if there is this much detail outside.
Right? Amazing.
Visible support for President Obama in the area.
I had to do it. And yes, there were black gumballs in there.
The door was open to this place which I noticed had very lively decor. There was a man pouring some water out on the sidewalk who worked there and he told us we were welcome to go in.
It's a fabulous small club in Harlem. The young girl sitting at a table near the entrance totally welcomed us. She said they get all sorts of musical artists here most every night. She welcomed us to look around, take photos and enjoy. She wanted us to post them on Facebook, tag them, etc. She was a great marketer!
There was a lot of African American music featured, but they truly featured almost everyone in there. Even Kenny Rogers album was on one wall.
Kenny! Lower left. I like how the lights were coming out of the wood carving.
#peopleleavingdrinks - I think this qualifies.
This one, too!
Selfie reflection...tried to make it look like the hat was on my head. #fail
Gorgeous architecture.
She had a fabulous outgoing personality that matched her clothes. She was ultra friendly and told us that our smiles made her smile. What a love.
Seemed like a reasonable deal.
We had lunch in this lovely cafe. One of the partners said they have been open a year...it's going OK, not awesome for them. The food was wonderful!
Best doors of the day.
I wanted to show the transition from the large staircases on the right to the smaller on the left. The rest of the block to the left all had the smaller staircases. Not sure why. It was flat, no change in elevation. I guess just a different architecture design.
I think I want to call this one "I gotta be me!".
I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE The Farside (thank you, Gary Larson, for your talent and humor). I can quote Farsides almost as well as lines from Seinfeld.
On this street, the stairs took a turn.
There is a little sign on the right side of the door down low that says "No Stupid People". Made me laugh.
Yeah, kind of a lot of bathtubs.
In the distance is City College. The building is spectacular looking. I would like to visit the campus on a future 52 Magic Monday (which I am running out of - ack!). 14 to go...
#peopleleavingdrinks...Arizona on an air conditioner. I like it.
You have my warmest welcome to Interesting Things...
This car was part of a film crew for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. And I thought to myself, I would love to grab a photo but have a police car in the frame. 10 seconds later...thanks, Universe!
Oh you are beautiful in all your splendor abandoned water bottle. You have style. I think you are going to be the lead picture for #peopleleavingdrinks.
I wasn't sure if this was in progress, abandoned or finished just the way it is.
This was at the back of an 18 wheeler that was part of a huge group of trucks for a movie that was being filmed. I liked the skeleton, almost like the ladder is his body.
And that's a wrap for 52 Magic Mondays in September. That's probably it for wandering the streets of Harlem, but I would love to explore City College and maybe Columbia one day soon.
Until the next Magic Monday!
xo,
~MC
