Sunsets over the Hudson River

Rainbow Sunday: New York Gay Pride March

After 7 months living in New York, last weekend I finally got to see famous people and paparazzi for the first time. Saturday, I came across the model Heidi Klum while she was preparing to shoot a hair spray commercial at the Flatiron building, then Cyndi Lauper opened the Gay Pride March on Sunday, followed by New York State’s Governor.

It was the first time I attended a Gay Pride parade; I wanted to share with you my experience as it was a festive, colorful and truly touching event. And you know how I love parades...

Welcoming hundreds of thousands of spectators crowded along Fifth Avenue, 8 th Street and Christopher Street in the West Village, this year’s March was celebrating the first anniversary of the state's same-sex marriage law. It was an important one.

Having for a theme “Share the Love” – which aims to encourage other states to pass similar legislation –, the parade began with motorcycles and a giant double arch of multicolored balloons floating above the streets of Manhattan.

Street of DUMBO

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a tiny neighborhood of Brooklyn located close to the water, between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. Home to many modern condo buildings as well as some art galleries, the area still have an industrial feel to it – which is obvious on this picture. Dumbo is also a great place to see street art; and it has a lovely park featuring a vintage carousel.

Colorful mural in Chelsea

 

The Andy Monument in Union Square

Did you know Andy Warhol’s Factory was situated in Union Square from 1968 to 1984? I didn’t; until I discovered this beautiful silver monument picturing the artist in one of my favorite public spaces.

The area was the location where Warhol and his collaborators reinvented the conventional artist’s studio, producing, among other things, silkscreen paintings, films and magazines. 

“Like so many other artists and performers and people who don’t fit in because they’re gay or otherwise different, Andy moved here to become who he was, to fulfill his dreams and make it big. He still represents that courage and that possibility. That’s why I came to New York, and that’s what my Andy Monument is about.”

- Rob Pruitt, the artist who created the monument

The Andy Monument will be in Union Square until September 4th, 2012.

Smoky Madison Square Park

These past weeks have been very important for me with respect to immerging myself in America’s summer food culture. First there was the Governor Island Five Boro PicNYC, then my vacation in St-Maarten, where I surprisingly got to eat more American than Caribbean dishes (!!!), and finally, this past weekend, the very smoky Madison Square Park Big Apple Barbecue Block Party.

It was a quiet weekend for us; back from a vacation, Martin and I were a little disconnected from Manhattan’s schedule of summer events and didn’t know what to do on Sunday. Partly intrigued and partly attracted by the strong smell of ribs, sausage and pulled pork that was haunting the city – nevermind that email we received promoting the Block Party –, we decided, with enthusiasm, to attend the urban barbecue.

Space shuttle Enterprise sailing the Hudson River

I was lucky enough to be along the water last Wednesday when the space shuttle Enterprise sailed the Hudson River to get to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. It was really impressive!

The Space Shuttle Pavilion of the museum, where Enterprise will be housed, is due to open on July 19th. You can visit the page of the exhibition for more photos of the shuttle.

Nice building in Soho

Basketball Player at West 4th Street

Few months ago, I wrote about West 4th Street basketball courts in Greenwich Village. This is where I took the picture; this talented player was resting between two very tough physical plays.

Chess players in Washington Square Park

Street of Chelsea

Sometimes I feel like I should rename this blog "Landed in Chelsea"; at least 25 % of my pictures were taken in this neighborhood. Chelsea is big and very diverse. It is also where I spend the most of my time. I have a special attachment to it!

Under the Williamsburg bridge

A recent post about Williamsburg is available here. Have a lovely week!

Manhattan views from Top of the Rock

A few weeks ago, my parents came to New York; it was the perfect occasion for me to visit with them some touristic attractions that I've never took the time to visit before. It was a lot of fun: for the first time I was like a real tourist in my own city - I can even honestly say that I unexpectedly enjoyed Madame Tussauds Museum! 

These following two pictures were taken from Top of the Rock. I truly recommend this activity for people who visit New York for the first time; it gives you a global portrait of the hugeness of the city - after that you soon forget it because New York taken neighborhood by neighborhood doesn't feel that big. Some people will prefer going to the top of the Empire State Building but personally, I find that the Empire State adds a lot to the landscape; and of course you can't see it when you are in it.