 The
Subway, The Streets, and the Heart Of The Urban Adventure.
The ride between Jamaica Station to the Empire State Building was one of the
longest in my life (second only to night my Dad and I rode the BART around the
San Francisco/San Jose area looking for movie locations from The Maltese Falcon,
Bullet, Time After Time, and The Voyage Home...) But this was the first hint I had
that this trip was going to be significant. This
subway ride ruined a lot of misconceptions, Starting with the stereotype that everyone in New York
City is rude. We asked someone for advice about what's the
best exit for The Empire State Building. Three people stepped right in and all
most knocked each other over trying to give the best and most thoughtful
directions.
We also started a few conversations with some other people riding the
subway... We were both talking to a young black student who had just finished camping
and hiking trough The United Kingdom gave Aaron and I the right exit name (I
forget, but I bet Aaron remembers) and then we began a great conversation about
traveling. For me, who's usually stuck at home during the day with my two
awesome sons and two annoying dogs, this is some culture shock for me and I had
to get re-adjusted. I used to spend my Friday Nights in the Boston Metro Area
bouncing around looking for somewhere to get my Retro-Vibe on, I've been out of
practice for at least a few years now since the birth of my oldest. Now, this
was a new city for me and I've only been here once with a group and a chartered
bus. This was really exciting, but there were moments I thought I would be
"safer" back at my desk at home. But, there's no adventure in that. [Pictured
above, Me talking to Aaron's parents, right after we got out of the subway stop
near The Empire State Building...]
 
Aaron
was in his element, as if he was a location scout for a period picture he was
working on. The Picture on The Left is one of those that he took. It's a perfect
blend of eras... The Victorian era was well represented with a few buildings
from 1890's, Golden Era and Art Deco were obvious favorites, all mingling with somewhat recent/modern
buildings. This is one I can look at for hours and wonder about the stories
those walls would share if they would talk.
 One
of the first things I noticed about The Streets of Manhattan is the constant
barrage of sights, sounds and smells...
I walked down the street and about every few feet I could smell something
different depending on what I was passing. One moment all I could smell was the
acrid city air, someone sharp and industrial like the smell of hot metal off in
the distance. Then I would walk by a store that catered to wealthy women with up-scale perfume
would knock you over with their flowery scents, then you would pass an area that
for no reason at all would be full of decay and death. I also ran hot and cold
because someone would open a door and all the air conditioning ran out.
Manhattan is an experiment in hyper-reality and sensory over-load.
There's also an endless parade of shops of every variety on any corner, a
Variety Story can be right next to a florist, that's right next to Electronics,
that's right next to a men's clothing store. There are also more variations of
Clothing Stores in Manhattan. I'm sure some where there is someone who sells
Golden Era style suits that would fit me perfectly and for a good price, like
under $150. I'm not kidding...
The Empire States Building
Personally, I don't know who you are or where you come from, this is one
impressive building. It's no longer the tallest building in the world, but who
cares? To me it'll be significant because it's such a watershed achievement
since it was build with the materials and technology that were on hand during
The Golden Era. It's the Quintessential Land mark for Retro-Heads and Vintage
Aficionados.
How many films have featured The Empire State Building? If you know, be sure to
hop on our forum and let us know. The best that comes to my mind? King Kong and
Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow. I could go on...
Here's something that feels a little odd, the lobby of one of the tallest
buildings in the world has to have one of the smallest lobbies I've ever seen.
It just felt so small, but was so fundamentally Art Deco. There was a lot of
brass and marble, I felt as if I was intruding in on a sacred temple or tomb.
 On The First Floor of The Empire State Building, there are a few
shops, restaurants and displays. The best one of the bunch is the tribute to
King Kong, a movie that has the building in it's climax. (Building and Gravity
wins, Monkey Dies,) This is a very loving and elegant tribute to the movie and
it's other big star, Fay Wray who died before she had the chance to participate
in Peter Jackson's version of King Kong.
Next:
Walking
Park Avenue
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