Sunday, January 22, 2017

City Views, Country Dreams

Good morning from New York.

I woke up on this foggy Sunday with a few achy muscles, perhaps as a result of a long walk I took yesterday afternoon.  I will share a few pictures showing some of the folks who were walking along with me.

You all may already have seen news regarding this walk, described as a women's march.  My photographs are those of an amateur, but will give you an idea of what I experienced along the route that sprawled  westward along East 42nd Street and then turned uptown on Fifth Avenue.


In the above photograph, you may be able to see some children waving to us from the window of the Grand Hyatt Hotel.  If you click on this link, you'll be able to learn how that hotel intersected with the early career of our new President.

The following photo features a poster that amused many folks in the crowd.


 The crowd was much larger than expected, and has been estimated to have included 400,000 people.  We really moved along at a very, very slow pace.


It took hours to reach Fifth Avenue.  


Police barricades had been set up along Fifth Avenue, to prevent the marchers from spreading onto the sidewalks, as had been possible on 42nd Street where there had been no barricades.  The above photo is a view looking down Fifth Avenue.  It was taken at about 43rd and Fifth.


I'd not seen any police presence along 42nd Street, and the slow-moving crowd had been very friendly and orderly.  Along Fifth Avenue, there were police officers who were helping at intersections with crosstown streets to let pedestrians cross east or west.  No crosstown vehicles were allowed.  Not much Fifth Avenue shopping going on.


As we drew closer to our destination, the pace of the march slowed.  I  elected to leave the group just after we passed by St. Patrick's Cathedral, and continued uptown behind the barricades on the westside sidewalk of Fifth Avenue.  This allowed my tired legs hopes of being able to be able to walk all the way home.  I imagined that the subway stations were going to be packed.


Another amusing poster.


The crowd was made up of family groups, school groups, friendly groups and individuals like myself.  My decision to participate was formed after watching the new President's inaugural address.


In the above photo, the tall building with the zigzag rooftop and the golden glow is Trump Tower, the march's 56th Street destination.  Security measures prevented most of us from reaching that location.  That didn't matter.


By the time we reached 54th Street many folks, like myself, had decided it was time to go home.  Folks were milling around, trying to locate friends, or rejoin the groups with whom they'd traveled together earlier in the day.  The warmth of the sun that had been a welcome factor was rapidly chilling.


Time to walk home.  I walked over to Sixth Avenue and continued uptown to Central Park South and westward to my apartment.  Along the way I noted that the Trump Parc space that was available on Election Day is still available.


Opportunity knocks.


I may be posting a brief video over at my Instagram page.

Once again, I thank you all for your visits and comments.  I will now return to knitting those striped socks.  I did not knit a hat for the march.

67 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your great pictures. That is an incredible number of participants. I'm relieved that the protests were peaceful and I believe brought hope that we are all in this together and we will fight! I'm in Canada and even my community had a March. I was in a workshop all day but we talked about the event and shared how we were affected by this historical time. Hope your aches feel better soon! Sincerely, from Canada, Chy

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    1. Thank you very much, Chy, for leaving your thoughtful comment.
      It's good to learn about how marches took place in other countries, and that they shared a good atmosphere.
      I'm just back from a 3 mile walk across the Park, so think I'm in pretty good shape...for another march.

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  2. Knitting is probably the most relaxing thing you can do at the moment Frances.
    Yes we did watch the march - and all the other impressive marches around the world on our television.

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    1. Pat, we are due to receive some serious rain and wind tomorrow, so I decided to have a long walk through the Park this afternoon before returning to knitting. I'll keep my feet dry tomorrow.
      I'm glad that you were able to see some march coverage. Yes, lots of marches around the world. xo

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  3. I think the turn out in London was huge too. An interesting start to the new presidential term. The world really is global village and we're all knitted together.

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    1. Dear Celia, I really like what you've written here. There was quite a lot of that sense of unity apparent yesterday afternoon. xo

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  4. I saw a sign held by a woman my age: Why am I doing this all over again?
    We have found our voice; we cannot lose it again. Two years of stating our platform, until the biennial election.

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    1. I saw similar signs along the march route yesterday, and some on Instagram from London's march, too. I didn't make a sign...decided to travel light. I'm 71 and in a way was glad to see so many young women (and men, too) at yesterday's march.)
      I heard a new term on television this morning..."alternative facts." Perhaps you also heard it? xo

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  5. Thanks for sharing the walk with us.

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    1. You are quite welcome. I am glad to still be able to walk that sort of distance. Where there is a will...etc. xo

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  6. Dear Frances, You are a brave soul. And you took great pictures.
    I loved seeing the little children waving to the crowds.

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    1. Gina, I wasn't really very brave, but I was motivated. Earlier today, I was talking with a young woman who'd attended the Washington DC march. She said the atmosphere there was similar to what I described having experienced here.
      It was fun to wave back to those children! xo

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  7. Yours is the second set of photos that I have seen from the NYC walk. My sister was there- and my niece walked in Toronto. I am staying fairly quiet as I watch and listen to the rhetoric from Washington. It is alarming, from an international perspective. I find it very interesting that the bloggers that I read are largely silent on the topic.
    Thank you for your note of some time ago. I hope to have a break this week that will allow a catch up on correspondence.

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    1. Pondside, it is always a joy to hear from you, going way back to our earliest blogging years.

      Wouldn't it be something if your sister and I actually spoke to each other yesterday? xo

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  8. We have been watching the coverage here in the Uk with great trepidation and the news today that our Prime Minister is going to be one of the first to "cosy" up has not pleased us.

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    1. Today's new vocabulary from the new President's spokesperson Ms Conway is "alternative facts." It's a good time to stay alert. xo

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  9. Son walked in the Tucson Women"s March. I have already posted some on a Saturday blog. Many women of all ages, children and men who got a shout out from the speakers.

    Son walked for his sister !
    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Gayle, I'm so glad that there were so many successful marches yesterday. I think that there will be many more in the near future. xo

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  10. Hip hip hooray for Frances. It means a lot. One voice won't be heard, but many will tear down the house.

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    1. Donna, it was that inaugural speech that motivated me. If you have not done so, please do have a look at the link in this post about the Grand Hyatt Hotel. xo

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  11. I love your blog. You are living the life I dreamt about before reality kicked in and I got married and had a child (and now a grandchild) and settled in to life in rural Wisconsin. I still hope to see NYC someday. I'm jealous, I admit, of your life there. Thanks for
    sharing it.

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    1. Thank you, Dianne. Part of what I love about blogging is being able to connect with folks who live both near and far away. We all have much in our lives that is valuable to share with others. xo

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  12. Well done Frances, women need to band together to stop all this nonsense.

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    1. I appreciate your comment, Elizabeth. It's important to pay attention to what is going on in the world, to participate if we find that possible, and to stay in touch with those whom we have elected to represent us. xo

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  13. We marched in London. Great turnout, great spirit! Lovely to see pics from NY. Have also enjoyed the NY Times pics from marches all over the world. Amazing. Sarah

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    1. Yes, Sarah, I've heard from several UK friends about yesterday's London march and also been following reports from various new media. You will perhaps remember the old saying, "the whole world is watching."

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  14. Thanks so much Frances for sharing your photos. I'm so proud of all the women who marched worldwide and privileged to see your eye witness images xo

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    1. Jean, it's a pleasure to share what I saw and heard. I think that each of us finds ways to contribute to trying to make our shared world a better place in which to live. Particularly when challenged. xo

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  15. Thank you for sharing the NYC march. It's wonderful to see so many folks peacefully demonstrating against the new regime and its stated goals..

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    1. It was an experience that I hope will encourage all the young folks in the marches to stay alert and involved in the future of their countries. (I've been seeing wonderful in blogs and on IG from many other parts of our shared world.)

      The Navajo blessing in your post is inspiring. xo

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  16. 400 thousand diverse people marching in New York City against our sexist new President and not one arrest ,wonderful!

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    1. Yes, wonderful day. And that's a fact...not an "alternative fact."
      Thank you for visiting here and commenting.

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  17. How exciting for you to be in the march. Thanks for showing the pictures. So many women, men and children marched, it makes me feel better about the world. I saw pictures of marchers in Paris and all the way to Ghana. I think people are scared of D Trump all over the world, because now he has the nuclear code and he is a volatile man. I stopped watching TV this morning after Kellyanne Conway stated that when Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that the inauguration had been watched by more people ever in history, he was giving “alternative facts.” He was blatantly lying – what a start! I’m afraid that with this administration there will be loads of alternative facts.

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    1. Thank you for this comment, dear Vagabonde. It has been extraordinary to realize how many women attended marches this weekend, all over the world. Now it will be important to use that reality (as opposed to alternative facts) to influence large decisions.

      Do you remember that Doors tune, Strange Days? Many more will be marking the 2017 calendar. I send lots of love to you and yours. xo

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  18. I marched in Washington. The crowds were friendly and D.C. was very welcoming. I think it was the President's remarks and actions on Friday that spurred many to the marches. It was a wonderful experience and I hope a message was sent and those in power will listen.

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    1. I am hoping that the energy and spirit of Saturday's marches won't be a one day wonder. xo

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  19. Thanks for giving us the atmosphere. The photos tell a story by themselves. Hadn't realised what was going on around the world with these protests. I see nz women have joined in as well

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    1. You are quite welcome. I am hoping that lots of folks were encouraged on Saturday to stay involved locally, and will stay in contact with their elected representatives..

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  20. The marches all over the world have made a huge statement about this current presidential office. It seems to be of universal concern. Thanks for sharing your walk with us x

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    1. It's very interesting to find out that marches took place in so many countries. I'm hoping that lots of young folks will be encouraged to get involved. xo

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  21. Enjoyed your photos and thoughts...Thanks for sharing! Smiles...Susan

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    1. You are quite welcome, Susan. Please visit again.

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  22. Thanks for this post. It has been great to see the women marches around the world, and especially read personal experiences of them. Unfortunately I couldn't go but supported it on social media.

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    1. I appreciate your visit and comment, Katharine. I think there will be many more opportunities to express opinions and support. Following up on the enthusiasm of the marches will be important.

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  23. Thank you for marching! The inauguration speech was dreadful, wasn't it? We must all continue to be vigilant and protest every terrible move this administration attempts to make.

    My most recent favorite sign from the marches was one held by a 90 - something year old woman: "I'm too old to learn Russian!" Lol!

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    1. Jennifer, thanks for your visit and comment. I just hope that the positive energy from last Saturday will translate into continuing interest.

      xo

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  24. Goodness me, to see so many uplifting images of positive protest is a real boost at a time when so much of the news is dominated by what feels like a very ugly presence. Thank you, Frances. xx

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    1. I agree with your comment, Chris. Keeping that spirit going will be the challenge. xo

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  25. Thanks for posting this Frances, I feel as if I have walked along with you. x

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    1. Val, this was one of those times when I thought my own city view might add something to the mass media coverage of the day. Thank you for your comment. xo

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  26. Interesting post and I must say it´s very interesting to follow what is happening in your country just now...I hope for the best.
    Have a great friday Frances, take care in this crazy world!
    Love from Titti

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    1. Titti, I appreciate your visit and comment very much. These are indeed interesting times. It's important to try to keep up with what is real and what is not. Exhausting, in a way.
      Happy Weekend to you...I bought some pink hyacinths yesterday and the buds are just beginning to open. It's a pleasure to see this happen. xo

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  27. Your pictures do give me such a good feeling for what it was like to be in the midst of the march. It looks a little claustrophobic, but I'm sure you're glad you did it. Any positive actions right now seem so justified and so worth doing.
    Hope your achy muscles are all gone, and that you're ready for another walk in your interesting and exciting city. Thanks for your report, Frances!

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    1. You are quite welcome, Carol. Yes, the march was a crowd, but somehow it did not seem claustrophobic. I've been "marching" since the protects against the Viet Nam War, so know to not get too far into the middle of any crowd.

      Achy muscles long gone now, and I've had several walks in the Park this week. Also staying tuned into the news and writing and calling my elected representatives to voice my wishes and opinions, and even fears.

      xo

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  28. Congratulations and thanks to all who marched. So pleased that the protest numbers were higher than for those at the inauguration.

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    1. I appreciate your comment very much. More marches have taken place this weekend to protest the orders signed by the new President regarding refugees. Expecting to see many more demonstrations.

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  29. I would have worn my pussy hat and matched!

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    1. You would have been welcomed. Actually, I expect that there are going to be many more marches. There were several in NYC yesterday, and several demonstrations Saturday, too.

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  30. Hi Frances, contacting you from Scotland, I found your blog through Helen Philipp's blog. Great to get your perspective on these very strange times indeed. I can't believe some of the things that are being said by Trump, Spicer and Conway. I turn the news on every day and wonder what he's been up to next! There were protest in Edinburgh and Glasgow and all over Scotland last night. Together with you in solidarity Best wishes. Laura x

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    1. Dear Laura, thank you so much for visiting and commenting. I do hope you will return. I don't always post frequently...but sometimes do.
      Yes, we are in a very strange time, and the future seems very cloudy.
      I've been lucky to visit Edinburgh and Glasgow one time, but truly hope to get back to your beautiful land. Meanwhile, I love visiting blog and IG sites that are based there. xo

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  31. So interesting to see your photographs dear Frances and follow you on your journey...these are strange and worrying times indeed....thank you for sharing and hope you're having a good week xx

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    1. Thanks so much. Yes, seems as if each day produces another shake up to what might have seemed normal.
      Hoping to publish a new post this week. xo

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  32. Very interesting see all photoes you took abuot this great march in your town,,,there was also one here in Rome...strange decision of this new president!Lots of kisses

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    1. Good to hear from you, Gabri, and to learn about the march in Rome. The new President has many strong followers, but more folks are watching his actions and continuing to get involved locally. xo

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  33. It's heartening to see this resistance to the unthinkable events of late, Frances, through your always interesting personal lens. My daughter has twice in the last weeks joined the throngs marching in London. I admire you for getting out there and making your protest felt. Warmest wishes xxx

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    1. Karen, thanks so much for your visit and comment. It's my guess that there will be many more opportunities to voice our opinions. Currently, I am calling and writing to my elected representative...and am very interested to see the outpouring of protests around the world. xo

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