New York Window Washers

 

I had stopped to read a text and noticed this guy working like crazy to wash these enormous windows without bothering the pedestrians. I asked him if he liked his job and learned that he'd been window washing for 35 year. He said he loves what he does for a living.

I learned that you have to be a member of the window washing union which consists of about 10,000 members -- only two of which are women.

Regarding the adventure of working outside 50 stories high with only ropes to steady you, he admitted he was afraid at first but decided to keep doing it after he saw his first paycheck.

Window washing goes on in the winter months and also on windy days. "You have to know what you're doing." he said. And darned if I and remember his name.

How to Decorate a Long Hallway

 Three stretched canvases from Michaels, a mop, and some awesome lime green paint is all you need!

The Park Avenue Church

I met my husband Wednesday at the steps of The Park Avenue Christian Church on the upper East Side for their Lenten Service. We have tried several churches since moving here a year ago, and this one felt the closest to "just right." Even my husband, an Episcopalian, commented that he liked the message and the efficiency of the service--meaning he was out of there in under an hour.

I appreciated that Park Avenue is a Disciples of Christ denomination with close ties to the United Church of Christ, my home church. The building was built by the Presbyterians in the early 1900s
and sold to the current congregation in 1945.

We felt welcomed, and the choir was amazing. They sang beautiful, meditative and simple songs, and during the first part of the service, were scattered around the church to encourage participation. The choir director knew what he was doing and almost seemed to be praying as he led us. I know we'll return. Here is a picture from their website.

The Papaya Dog

I had lunch at the Papaya Dog yesterday. It's located just west of Washington Park, a neighborhood on the edge, if you ask me. But it seemed safe in the day time. I ordered a fish sandwich. This is something my husband will make fun of me for. I don't know why, but I tend to order the wrong things at places that specialize. For example, I ordered a veggie burger at Hamburger King in Miami. And I frequently order fish at steak places. The fish sandwich was good here, but I should have ordered the dog, of course. As for the name of the place, I DID choose a papaya drink which was excellent alternative to a bottled water or Coke.

Still Pinching Myself

 

I am among the luckiest, blessed, and/or fortunate--whatever your world view--persons in the world! This picture was taken from our new apartment in Long Island City, and that's just looking west. 

We also have a completely unobstructed north view of the East River and all its commerce. 

Yesterday a helicopter flew over that said "TRUMP" on it. Do you think The Donald was in it?

DO Tour Grand Central!

I highly recommend doing the self-guided tour of Grand Central Station, built in 1871. You can stick your earphones on and stand around gawking all you like for as long as you like. 

It's a miracle that this awesome structure is still standing. Apparently, people have been trying to tear it down for years. How grateful we should be to those groups who fight to keep our old buildings!

Getting Stuff Home

 

Most stores offer delivery service for a fee if you buy something really big and heavy. At ABC Carpet, our sales person admonished us, "You don't want to pay a delivery fee! Put it in a cab!"

When I got here, I was careful not to take up too much of a taxi driver's time. A good taxi driver, I have learned, should pull over, roll down his window to answer your questions, hop out, open his trunk, and even take the time to help load your stuff.

After all, they work for tips, too.

By the way, ABC Carpet and Home is something to see. The carpet store takes up one huge building, and across the street, the Home side, takes another. An article in the New York Times says, "It's like an estate sale for your packrat dowager aunt, albeit with impeccable taste." You can read the review here.

Postal Carriers

On my way to a post office today--just a few steps outside my apartment building, I asked this nice lady mail carrier if she, by chance, had any Change of Address forms with her. She did! I didn't  have to walk all the way to 35th Street! And she let me take her picture. She told me she used to be a Girl Scout, and therefore was always prepared.

Doormen

The doormen in my building wear a suit and tie to work. They are always friendly and attentive. . . like a good waiter at an expensive restaurant.

You want your shirts back by Tuesday, "No problem." You have a problem with your AC? He'll send someone up right away. They make an effort to greet you by name. They are never grumpy. They will converse with you if you like, or simply look up and nod if you are in a hurry.

I am surprised to find myself wanting to take them with me to my new building. I'll miss these guys.

Renny

Danny

The Things You Miss

There is so much to look at our your window here that it's easy to miss the obvious. For example, remember that $4 water taxi I recently discovered? Apparently it's been chugging up and down the river right outside my bedroom window the whole time we've lived here.

More on DUMBO

This photo is of the inside of a coffee shop in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). Many trendy small eateries in New York lean toward this interior motif, I've noticed. Call it, perhaps, "industrial barn." The idea is they don't want you to know it, but they spent a huge amount of money making this look like they just barely opened the place and are planning to remodel soon.

It's very comforting with all those warm browns and "don't worry about that spill" attitude.

 Here the shop owner has gone to extremes with grape vines and evergreen branches to decorate for Christmas. It really catches your eye and hints there is something unique inside. I didn't go in, however, because I couldn't tell if it was a shop or a residence.

Look at the circular concrete ledges and the smaller blocks toward to back that create steps to the upper level of this DUMBO bookstore.

 

This pointy cupcake can be had at One Girl Cookie. I brought home some amazing homemade granola for my husband--I know, cupcake for me; granola for him!




























Here is the interior of the place--another industrial barn look with exposed brick, funky wire lighting and high ceilings.

DUMBO!

DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge. It's located in Queens where old factories and warehouses from the 1800s have been converted into galleries, playhouses and expensive apartments.  

I took the East River Ferry there yesterday. It only took 15 minutes to get there from the 34th Street dock where the ferry originates. I was amazed--because there were three stops in-between. For $4 you can stay on the ferry until it lights at Wall Street and begins it's loop back to 34th Street.

I enjoyed a BLT at a place called Al Mar and some lentil soup. The sandwich was made with organic bacon and had plenty of thinly sliced tomatoes (a failure of many BLTs). The waiter was kind enough to orient me towards the "micro" shops nearby, but it was a very quiet afternoon in DUMBO, and the shops' inventories were low. I'm sure on a warm sunny Saturday, it's quite the place to be.

 

All That for $4?!

The realtor for our new apartment in Long Island City told us about the East River Ferry. For $4 (Let me spell that out just in case you ever wanted to take a boat tour around Manhattan--FOUR DOLLARS AND NO CENTS) you can hop on board this express water taxi and in 6 (I feel the need to spell that out, too--SIX) minutes be on a Manhattan sidewalk.

Yesterday I took the Ferry from the Manhattan side on 34th Street and rode it five "stops" down river where I hopped off and got myself a BLT in DUMBO (See my next entry for more on this).

A nice feature about this is you don't have to have a ticket, just hand the ferry operator $4, and you're good to go!

 This is a large ferry, but it's a speed demon!

 Take your gloves off inside the cabin--it's heated!

 Crossing under the Manhattan Bridge

 Commerce along side the ferry.

Heading to Queens

One thing we weren't prepared for when we moved to New York City was the volatility of rent.

Many of my husband's associates have purchased a home here even though they plan only to stay a 3-5 years. One-year leases are the norm, and when that year is up, you can bet the rent will not stay the same or get any lower.

We're moving across the East River to Long Island City in Queens. It's essentially one subway stop away, yet the rent is much more reasonable (for New York, that is.  . . there is nothing reasonable about rent in New York City!)

As I type this entry, I can see our new apartment from my dining room window.

That Was Too Close, Mister!

Bikers are a daring bunch in New York.

It's not unusual in New York to encounter people yelling out to others if they feel their personal space has been compromised or they just escaped death due to the inconsiderate nature of another.

I was walking across 3rd Avenue tonight when this biker came out of nowhere and whisked right behind me. It scared the you know what out of me. However, it felt perfectly normal to shout out "That was too close, mister!"

I'm a New Yorker now.

The Daily News Building

Because we are moving soon, I'm taking better notice of my surroundings in this location. One building that I pass frequently on my way to somewhere else is the News Building on 42nd Street. It formerly housed one of the largest newspapers in the world, The Daily News.

In this spacious and welcoming lobby a giant globe slowly circulates inside a base of black glass. Very impressive!

Built in 1929-30, it no longer houses the Daily News, but the Art Deco building is designated a national landmark. The map is actually updated regularly to keep it current. The Daily News knew their large printing presses would be very noisy, and this location was chosen as a sort of out-of-the way spot. Of course, now it is super prime real estate. Read more about the Daily News and building here.