City Views, Country Dreams

Good evening from New York.

It's been quite a while since I last wrote.  Before offering up my alibi, I would first like to thank all you kind folks who've left lovely messages

Not long after that prior post I got sick, catching some sort of cold that had a big bad cough as its sidekick.  Around the same time, demands of my job ratcheted up a bit.  Not a great combination, but I am delighted to report that weeks later there's improvement on all fronts.

About the time that my cough was on the upswing, I chose to go ahead with a long-planned get together with the truly marvelous, well-traveled Vagabonde, who was visiting New York with her husband.  Yet again, I experienced that wonderful feeling of meeting a fellow blogger and having the sense that we've known each other for a long, long time.  Even better,   neither Vagabonde nor her husband seem to have taken my cough home with them as a New York souvenir.

By last weekend, I was feeling much better, and ventured over to Fifth Avenue to have a glimpse of the Hispanic version of the Columbus Day Parade, in which contingents from all the Central and South American countries settled by Spain show the rest of us their costumes, music and dance.  

The weather was perfect.

So many bright colors and fantastic costumes for men, women and children.

You can see from the view of the sidewalk that there were very small numbers of folks viewing the parade.  The parade's route used to run from midtown all the way up Fifth Avenue to 79th Street.  No longer.  This year's route was barely a mile long.  I hope that this does not signal a trend toward shrinking festivities.  The "big" Columbus Day parade, honoring Italy, is held on Columbus Day and draws much larger crowds.

Look at these adorable children!  I hope to see them again next year.

This next fellow looks a bit fearsome.  I guess that I also look forward to seeing him again next year.

I think that this lady with parasol will also be wanting to join the parade in October 2012.

I left the parade route and walked a bit further up Madison Avenue, stopping for a delicious hazelnut gelato, and engaging in some window shopping.  I liked the clean lines and harmonious colors of these textiles.  Somehow, I cannot remember the name of the shop!

Refreshed by that gelato, I then walked back across Central Park to the West Side, and admired the view of the different greens in the sun and shadows of the Sheeps Meadow, with the Central Park South buildings in the distance.  It was a bit too cool for any sunbathing, but perfect for ambling around, playing with frisbees, or just sitting and talking.

And so, that Sunday drew to a close, and another work week began.

Look at the amusing shiny blue bird with silver ball that has appeared overnight on the entryway to my local subway station.  How can you possibly look at this and not smile?

Here is another view to show you the joyous attitude that this very big bird wants to share with all of us passersby.

Tomorrow morning when I set out on my commute to work I am counting on this gleaming vision to work its magic.  (I promise to try to find out more about the identity of the sculptor.)

Best wishes to you all.