No Parking

This is the most colorful NO PARKING sign I've ever seen but I don't think it is real or sanctioned by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It maybe a street art or graffiti with a message. But what is the message?

What do you think?

Gonzo Marketing

A little boutique in Nolita (North of Little Italy) has found an interesting way to advertise its merchandise. They placed a mannequin wear a little black dress and a beautiful necklace right on the street in front of the store. A lot of people who had no prior intention of going into the store stopped to admire and touch the merchandise on the street. Then they wander into the store to take a better look at the clothes.

So what smart ideas have you seen or heard lately?

Someone Was Here First

Claudette Colvin

So who is Claudette Colvin? According to this street art on Elizabeth Street, north of Prince, Ms. Colvin was a 15-year old girl from Alabama who refused to give up her seat on the bus in 1955 and was subsequently arrested. This happened 9 months before Rosa Parks did the same thing and became a national civil rights activist.

Isn't it great to get a history lesson from street art? So what have your learned lately?

Mid-Month Subway Theme

It is mid-month subway theme day again. This is the subway track at Jackson Heights, Queens or Little India. In the far background, you can see Manhattan and the Empire State Building

This mid-month subway theme is shared by the following bloggers:

Budapest - London - New York City - Paris - Stockholm

Tile Work Under the Terrace Bridge

This beautiful tiled ceiling under the Terrace Bridge leads park goers from the Litrary Walk to the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. Most people take the alternate outdoor staircases on either side of this tunnel and missed this display altogether.

So what are you plans for the weekend? I'm still recovering my jetlag.

Lipstick Building

This Lipstick Building used to be famous for its innovative and original architecture but lately, it has been mentioned in the press mainly because it housed the offices of Bernie Madoff, who engineered a $65 billion Ponzi scheme.

So how has your week been so far?

Postcard from Barcelona: Antique Car Show

This little boy was dressed in an outfit reminiscing the early 1900s at the antique car rally from Barcelona to Sitges last Sunday. He was one of many others who dressed in period-appropriate attires for the start of the race.

I will be heading back to NYC today. Regular programming resumes tomorrow.

Postcard from Barcelona: Churros & Chocolate

No explanation need -- churros and chocolate after visiting the Picasso Museum at La Ribera neighborhood. Art, chocolate and fried pastries -- you can't go wrong with this combination!

Postcard from Barcelona: Barceloneta Beach

This photo was taken last Friday afternoon at the Barceloneta Beach when the weather was actually not that warm. But it did not stop these beach goers from having fun. The weather got much warmer over the weekend and I bet the beach was totally packed Unfortunately, I didn't go back to there to take the photos.

Postcard from Barcelona: Plaça de Catalunya

This is Plaça de Catalunya, on the northern end of La Rambla near the hostel where I'm staying. As you can see, the plaza is filled with pigeons and that is partly because there are a couple vendors sellings bags of bird seeds to tourists to feed the pigeons. Notice the balloons? They vendors also sell them.

Postcard from Barcelona: Casa Milà

This is Casa Milà, a main tourist attraction in Barcelona. The building, located in the luxury Eixemple District, is considered one of the best examples of Antoni Gaudi's work. Antoni Gaudi is of course, the Father of the Modernisme movement in Spain.

Postcard from Barcelona: Morning Coffee

This was my first cup of coffee in Barcelona yesterday morning after arriving on the red eye flight from NYC. I checked my luggage behind the counter at the hotel -- the room was not ready yet -- and headed to the La Boqueria, a gigantic meat, vegetables and fruits market located right off of La Rambla, the main tourist street of Barcelona. The market also have numerous cafes and restaurants that serve breakfast and lunch.

I discovered later during the day that my US bank card does not allow me withdraw money from the ATM machines here in Barcelona. This is strange because I was able to withdraw Euros from Rome less than two months ago, and RMB in Beijing, China in 2007. I have contacted my bank in NYC and hopefully, this situation gets resolved soon or else I will be tap dancing at La Rambla for pocket change.

Update: After a 2nd desperate call to the bank, the ATM problem is resolved. I will not have to scrub the toilet as Sally said.

Pizza Pizza

I took this photo through the windows of a pizzeria in midtown Manhattan. The colors and variety look so intriguing but I don't know if it's really good or not. The dough/crust looks a little heavy to me. I prefer a thin crust pizza.

What kind of pizza do you like? What kind of toppings do you prefer?

Conveyer Belt Sweets

This conveyor belt sends out sweet treats and chocolates at the Charbonnel et Walker cafe inside Saks Fifth Avenue, the departmental store. I have seen sushi platters served on conveyor belts at restaurants before but this is my first encounter with conveyor belt sweets.

So have you seen anything like this before?

Snow Day @ Central Park

This is the Literary Walk, one of the most photographed paths in Central Park because of the straight line and surrounding trees on both sides. At the north end of the path is the Bethesda Fountain, another popular site.

So what is the most popular or well known site in your town?

My Fire Escape

This is the view I woke up to yesterday morning outside my bedroom window. What are you seeing is the fire escape from my apartment to the street down below. You can also see the fire escape for the building across the street (43rd Avenue) from me.

After a late lunch, I went to Central Park and took over 100 photos there but this initial shot taken first thing in the morning is the one I like best. I will post the Central Park photos (maybe) later this week.

So what did you have for lunch yesterday?

St. Patrick's Day Parade - Queens

We had our St. Patrick's Day Parade in Sunnyside, Queens yesterday afternoon. In this photo, you can see Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City (the older gentleman with the blue tie) and Christine Quinn, Speaker of the City Council (the lady next to him). A few steps behind them is Mr. Bloomberg's main challenger in the mayoral election later this year, Anthony Weiner.

So are you politically involved? Do you go out and campaign for your candidate?

Theme Day: Glass

This photo was taken over two years ago when I first started taking photos for the blog. It was at one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants that has since closed due to tough economic times. I was playing with the camera while waiting for my dinner to arrive.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Is Spring Here Yet?

I took this photo yesterday at the promenade by the Rockefeller Center on 50th Street off of 5th Avenue. The weather was almost 60°F (15°C), which was probably the warmest day of the year so far. The greenery planted around the fountains gave a hint of Spring coming but we are expecting another cold front and snowy weather this weekend.

So are you ready for Spring? I am having Spring Fever!!