Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Stars & Stripes Forever


Flag day
New York, NY, November 2009


I wanted to share one last travel-themed moment before we go orange (check back at 7 p.m. for that.) Why? Because I came home from our lightning-quick visit to New York with hundreds of pictures and no idea how to efficiently share them all. Ideas welcome, btw.

Just before I took this shot, I was walking down Broadway doing my best to drink in what made this place such a global magnet of attention. I don't think I was ever able to really figure it out. On the surface, the buildings, stores and people look much like they do in any other major North American city. But look a little deeper and the combination of factors sets this place apart. The buildings are just a little bigger, just a little more architecturally fascinating and imposing on the streetscape. The people are just a bit harder edged and a bit more big-hearted - all at the same time. It's subtle, but enough to imprint itself on your soul.

The sum of the parts can't be found anywhere else. And even on a relatively quiet morning, you can close your eyes and feel the energy of this place. As I caught this total stranger sitting alone in a spot where everyone is typically on the move, I wondered what he was thinking. The moment-in-time quality of the scene almost compelled me to take the picture. So I did.

Your turn: So, what was this guy thinking?

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