Walking across New York City

[tdawg]

What a terrific tour! I''m really impressed that you were able to seek out some of the city's less touristy neighborhoods and the video you put together is fantastic (with a perfect soundtrack!).

[Nantais]

Thanks a lot for your comment. I am glad that you also enjoyed the video and my musical choices !
When I visit a city, I like to venture into the not so touristy areas. Not that I despise touristy areas, they attract tourists for a reason, and they are interesting, but I like the feeling of discovering the "true city", the one where ordinary people live and work.
I am going back to NYC in next october for a few days, and I will try to explore some new neigborhoods.

[Nantais]

Next pics, still in Coney Island and Brighton Beach, and from last october :

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[Nantais]

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[Crawford]

Originally Posted by Nantais

At some point, I lost myself in some kind of ultra-orthodox jewish neighborhood. I didn't take many pics of it because I felt somewhat uncomfortable. It was very different from all the other "ethnic" neighborhoods of New York in the sense that it felt like an enclave. I mean, you will find in NYC some neighborhoods which are predominantly Chinese, Russian or Puerto Rican, but they still remain diverse. It was not the case here, I was like the sole guy in sight who was not wearing this kind of strange hat (it's called a shtreimel, after somme google search), nor sidelocks on my head... and I felt that passers-by (who were numerous : streets were full of ultra-orthodox jewish families with many kids) were giving me weird looks.

You were in South Williamburg/Northern Bed Stuy, which is the home of Satmar Jews. They are probably the most insular and strict Orthodox sect anywhere in the world outside of Israel.

They (generally speaking) don't speak English (they speak Yiddish), aren't allowed on the internet, and generally don't socialize with any outsiders unless required for business purposes.

I've actually worked with a few people from this neighborhood for business purposes, and I find them to be nice guys, but yeah, they don't associate with outsiders. I think taking pics in their neighborhood is fine, but I wouldn't specifically take pics of families, especially not women and children.

Also, I love the fact that you venture to the grittiest, poorest, least-known neighborhoods in the NYC area. You definitely don't follow the typical tourist route.

[mrnyc]

actually, you definately will be approached if you are taking photos and they will ask what you are doing. that is the only time they will acknowledge your existence, outside of the strange side looks outsiders get, as mentioned above.

[dc_denizen]

this was an epic tour/visit of NYC. my hat goes off to you sir. thank you!

[Nantais]

Originally Posted by dc_denizen

this was an epic tour/visit of NYC. my hat goes off to you sir. thank you!

You're welcome !

Originally Posted by Crawford

You were in South Williamburg/Northern Bed Stuy, which is the home of Satmar Jews. They are probably the most insular and strict Orthodox sect anywhere in the world outside of Israel.

Searching about them, I've found out that they were also deeply anti-zionist, which surprised me as I imagined that orthodox Jews would have been rather pro-Israel. I guess you learn everyday.

Originally Posted by Crawford

Also, I love the fact that you venture to the grittiest, poorest, least-known neighborhoods in the NYC area. You definitely don't follow the typical tourist route.

That's because I tries hard to find the New York I've learned to love through movies, TV shows, music, comics and even videogames since my childhood and teenage years.
And this New York is often less bling-bling and gentrified that what the most touristy areas of New York have become (though I also like the energy and lights of Times Square, but I would have loved to visit these areas 25 or 30 years ago).



So, nexts pics. Some views of (and from) Staten Island and of marine traffic in the New York Harbor.

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[Nantais]

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[Nantais]

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[fleonzo]

Excellent series of all the boroughs!

[mousquet]

Originally Posted by Nantais

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Funny this to famously embody freedom was a gift from our country.
Someone (I forget which Frenchman) once wrote - if the French were granted too much freedom, they undoubtedly would misuse it.
Perhaps this gift was also some way to delegate a bit of the overwhelming responsibilities, somehow, as real wild liberty is sometimes rough to take on.
Never mind if you don't understand.

[Nantais]

Crossing the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson river.

361- Washington Heights in North Manhattan :


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363- The Palisades :


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365- There are tons of signs to prevent suicides on the bridge. Surely useful, but somewhat creepy.


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[Nantais]

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375- Going down the cliff :


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380- Going up the cliff :


381- Leaving New Jersey, and going back to Washington Heights :


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[Nantais]

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388- Washington Heights :


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To be continued.

[Nantais]

Video interlude :

• Video Link

[Nantais]

Taking the ferry from Hunters Point to Rockaway Beach, in the outskirsts of NYC (a one-hour trip).
Pics from last october.

392- A classic view of Manhattan seen from across the East River :


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395- Belmont Island (aka U Thant Island), the smallest island of NYC !


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402- New skyscraper dwarfing the Manhattan bridge :

[Nantais]

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405- Governors Island in the foreground :


406- Brooklyn harbor and skyline :


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408- Staten Island :


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410- Passing under the Verrazano Bridge, with the Fort Wadsworth to the right :


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[Nantais]

412- Coney Island :


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423- Passing under the Marine Parkway Bridge :


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To be continued.

[Nantais]

Rockaway Beach, like a deserted and boring version of Coney Island :


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