We have a photograph of a person walking through the snow in Soho in downtown Manhattan taken through a window at Dean and Deluca with this quote printed directly beneath it. The figure is blurred - anonymous like so many New Yorkers. Anonymous like I am when I'm out making my way through my day out in the city. So many people are like that. We seem to be just a blur, a tiny spot, in this enormous place just trying to make our way.
This morning I was out running an errand and I stood up to the curb ready for the light to change along with about 50 other people. 50 people on my side of the avenue and 50 on the other. And everyone was like a blur...a collection of people waiting to get some where making a blur. I'm always wondering about that blur and the singular pieces that make it up. When the light changed and we all converged it was like organized chaos. Everyone walking into each other but looking past each other in a way that almost seemed choreographed. I thought of my tiny self as part of this big whole.
11 comments:
Beautifully written and photographed, darling! I miss that about the city!
xoxox,
CC
so true...i almost love how everyone is anonymous. Everyone is worried about their own thing and where they have to go. how i miss it.
i love how a simple thing is the most beautiful thing ever
This really moved me, I don't know what to say. I lived in NYC last year for 2,5 months so I realize that in this post you've basically captured the essence of this city. Regarding the quote, after I had returned from NYC I stopped using public transportation for the most part (I live in a small city) because I got so used to walking long(er) distances.
NYC is probably my favorite place in the world and I hope I can live there again one day.
i have only been to nyc once, and you have described that sidewalk situation perfectly.
That is amazing! Love it. xoxo
OMG Monnnnnnn!!! I am dying...that is one of my favorite things about the city. 50 people on one side, 50 on the other, and it does seem SO choreographed and...beautiful.
Love this post!
Great photo. Plus I love how you described it all. That is so insightful. Hope you are doing well so far this week. Cheers!
Great post Monica :)
I adore this photo, Monica. It really captures the feeling of New York. Love it!
I simply adore your city.
It's so true. We're just in this determined daze, anticipating everyone else's next move and playing chicken for who will take the lead.
There's also a dichotomy of self that happens: you feel both anonymous, like a spec, but also like a heightened version of yourself, the city fueling you.
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