NYC // day two.

today is the day before the precipice. The day before the hard work that is coming.
My boss, James Madrid, was kind enough to show me around the city. We clambered up to the subway station that stands aloft in the neighborhood of Queens that we both inhabit. Cross the neighborhood through historical apartments and duplexes. Passed tons of hispanic food and clothes, and a saloon that mostly serves the communities large hispanic population. The subway platform made me feel like the erased memory Clementine on her way toward Montak Beach, except instead of escaping the city, we were going right towards it. The railway goes a short distance above ground before dipping below to go into Manhattan. From the train you can see the amazing graffiti that covers several buildings.. living breathing and changing art piece. We also passed Silvercup.. the studio that my beloved 30 Rock is shot in!!

As we dipped below the city and resurfaced, we then faced the maze of Grand Central station. When you open up in the main terminal, however, you are greeted and rewarded with the most amazing chamber. Constellations of the zodiac cover the build ceiling and the flashes lighting the air help you identify the tourists. It was definitely a secular cathedral. gorgeous.

We walked the street, careful to avoid Times Square, we came upon glorious glorious 30 Rock itself. NBC. Peacock land. The golden statue looked down at a full tropical bar that substitutes for the skating rink in the summer. Me and James agreed that Tina Fey makes smart women super sexy.

We came out of the city "jungle" to approach a really sorta fake jungle. The upkept foliage and carefully placed rocks made me feel like I was in a zoo more than a real park, but Central Park was ENORMOUS. I had been in a little over our art tour but it was freezing, so exploration was at a minimum. We walked all over that place. There is a large water fountain near The Boathouse restaurant that, on the back of it, has the most amazing hall. It is buried in the side of a small hill and looks like something out of a European city.

amazing. and inside a choir family was singing "Ave Maria" with a violin and cello accompaniment. At the entrance of the terrance they had settled and their messy yet glorious choral harmony lilted through the fountain's plaza as a street performer blew amazing huge bubbles. Children jumped to pop them. It was one of those moments of pure life. Add nothing.

The People of Central Park's Bethesda Fountain - Fall 2009 from Nicholas Whitaker on Vimeo.

I then suggested that we go check out the East Village, since I had never seen it before, and because I heard it was super artsy. It took quite a walk just to get to the subway to get to the East Village and then we went rambling around. Each part of the neighborhood was so different, in fact, it was hard to believe that this was still Manhattan. So many Indian Restaurants in a row! James told me there was a myth that underneath all the Indian restaurants lies one kitchen that feeds all the patrons the same food. I might believe it, smashed in so close together. Along the street there were various large metal doors in the side walk and some were propped open revealing some of the behind the scenes of restaurants, with workers down below taking break in the hot bowels of the shop. We passed the New York Film Institutes' Cafe with outside smoking and non-smoking sections. Lounging film students with hipster cigarettes hanging out of their mouthes. You can walk from one end of The East Village to the Lower East Side and watch the World Cup simply by various viewings of TV's through various bar's open doors. East Village = many many places to get drunk and many places to buy bongs. Lots of young people.

We ate at a place that advertised the "best burger" in the East Village. and it was good. Uruguay 2 Germany 3 FINAL. Yes, even the burger joint was showing it on their TV's. The waitress was awesome. She told us to "eat up, dolls". We left her a big tip.

Today was a satisfied tired. Tomorrow should prove even more so. 7 am crew call + 30 shower + hour commute to crew van + hour ride to Mt. Vernon, NY = 4 am wake up call! + 12 hour day = long long tired day! and hopefully satisfying as well.