Growing up on Long Island, my parents very rarely went into New York City; I can remember them taking me to Radio City Music Hall and The Old Ed Sullivan Theatre-and that's about all. It wasn't until I was 17 and dating someone who lived in Queens that I got "introduced" to the City.
When I wrote my last post about Central Park I was able to give you the history of the Park and how it came to be including the contest to design it, the architects and landscapers and when it officially opened. Back to Nature--Central Park in New York City! by Feng Shui Long Island As I reflect back into the early to mid Eighties when I spent a considerable amount of time there, it was a completely different New York!
Union Square was a place to stay away from; it was often dirty and I had a feeling of being unsafe there. Double that feeling for the Bowery, the one time we wandered into it by mistake I felt like a target with my camera and I remember my children looked terrified. So was I, to be honest.
42nd Street was "The Red Light" District and we stayed away from there as well. I did go to the Park but we were much more careful. My memories of Central Park in those days were to watch the children first and my pocketbook second. It was also not kept up with; the grass often didn't grow, there were few flowers and the waters were so dirty you wouldn't want to go near them. My biggest memory of Central Park back then was a homeless woman who lived there. We ran into her in the same spot each time we went and she lived her life, day in and day out surrounded by Pigeons.
She had nothing besides a bag of filthy clothes that didn't fit her---and her pigeons. All around her and ON her and she loved them all. I recall that we used to stop and pick up a hot dog for her and she would always give the bread to her pigeons, no matter how hungry she was. I don't know where she bathed or if she did as her hands and face were always dirty and she had long, jet black hair that hadn't seen a comb in years.
I remember prior to going into the city I one time stopped at a thrift store out on Long Island. I bought her clothes, shoes, sweaters, socks. Blankets and anything else I could think of. The kids had come to like the "Pigeon Lady," our official nickname for her because we would always stop and talk with her. She was educated and intelligent and I always wondered what circumstances led her to become homeless. Armed with a hot dog and the large, heavy bags we headed into the park one day to give her some desperately needed items.
She was gone....and so was her bag. I was upset and so were the children because we knew that she would never leave her pigeons; she had said so on many occasions. And I wondered what had happened to her. We left the bags of clothes and the hot dogs and looked for her the next time we went back but never saw her again.
I am thrilled that they have made just about every single area of the City so safe and restored Central Park to it's former glory. There is no place I have been where I ever feel unsafe anymore! Hell's Kitchen has a small flea market, Union Square has performers and those wonderful people I can watch for hours playing Chess. And Times Square (and 42nd Street) have become magical! As a New York City and Long Island Feng Shui Consultant, I am fortunate to be in the City often. And love to share my thoughts and memories about the Magic of Manhattan.
Here are some older pictures I've come across of Central Park...and a bit beyond. In yet ANOTHER picture post of what a Feng Shui Consultant loves in New York City.
On beautiful days in Central Park, you can't ask for anything better then the Great Lawn.
I've read the sign so many times and still forget why they have a Husky in Central Park! He's popular with the children (and me :)
The first time I saw the "MIMES" was only a few years ago although I had seen them years before in San Francisco. Just put some money in their bucket and they start to move, otherwise they are completely still--that's hard work !
My daughter Laura--wearing the new sunglasses we'd just bought :)
Laura has been doing Feng Shui Consultantions with me whenever she's home for the last 6 years and is also a Feng Shui Consultant up in New Paltz.
It's always fun to watch them rollarblading--and listen to some fun music!
The City makes a spectatular backdrop!
A Game of Volleyball to enjoy.
You can do as much or as little as you like in Central Park and there are always new paths and places to explore. I have many more pictures (for another day) Come enjoy New York City!
http://www.FengShuiLI.com Feng Shui Consultant for New York City and Long Island
*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing Feng Shui Consultations for all of New York City (Manhattan) and Long Island Homes, Businesses, Offices, Corporations, Apartments and Studios, Renovations, Real Estate, Pre-Purchase and New Construction. A member and former chapter director of The International Feng Shui Guild, Carole is available for distance consultations by phone and speaking engagements.
Carole,
Your pictures and the way you've described it made me feel as if I was there!
It does sound like a very wonderful place to visit and I was very sad to hear that the pigeon lady had disappeared. I think a large proportion of homeless people are there due to mental illnesses of one kind or another. It's very heartbreaking....
It was very nice of you and your children to bring her things.....I'm sorry she wasn't there to receive them.
Laura's sunglasses look very cool!
Jo
Another walk through Central Park, I love it! The pigeon lady reminds me of a homeless person we always saw when I was growing up.
It is wonderful that the city has revived the park and that it is now a place where you feel safe.
Hi Carole...Nothing like childhood memories..I seem to have them more often as I get older. Seems that's the best part of growing up, life's experience where we live..too bad about the homeless lady maybe she just moved on...Great Story.
New York sound very inviting, they should hire you to Bring more tourist dollars..having said that Katerina would love to have you paint a story of Wellington for her, to help with their real estate market.You're an awesome story teller for New York!
Thanks!
Carole
Nice pictures, Looks like you had a great time with your Daughter in Central Park!! Thanks for sharing
Carole...what a sad story about the pigeon lady. But you were so kind to her whenshe was there I'm sure she appreciated it.
Last time we were there we stayed in Times Square...it is so exciting!
That is such a lovely picture of the Twin Towers! It's a treasure.
Wow Carole - you've trained Laura in your work - how awesome is that?!
It's very commendable that cities like NY and Toronto have cleaned up the streets. With the expansion here in our much smaller city, it is said, truly that our once safe streets are more hazardous than large cities.
Awesome shots!
Hi Carole,
Nice story about New York City and lovely pictures! It was so kind of you to think of the homeless woman each time you went to Central Park. Thank you for doing that I am sure you guys made her day.
Jo, We missed the pigeon lady...it's funny how you can develop a relationship like that. But I don't believe she would have left those birds if she could help it. NYC and the Park are just wonderful now, you will love it!
Cynthia, The city is so different now it's hard to imagine. They really did manage to clean it up and make it safe!
Elaine, You never get tired of People Watching---it is SO much fun, everyone in NY is so unique and diverse.
Rosario, I'm glad you will make many more memories there, I plan to as well. For people that haven't been here in many years it will be nice to know that it's a much better place.
Martha, I feel the Energy of the city and just LOVE it--any type of year but I do love the warm weather here. Those perfect days when you walk for hours and hours :) Thank you for your comment.
Gaye, Wow, I'm impressed, those NYC Marathons are difficult! Congratulations, I know I wouldn't last...the Park is always fabulous, I always have a wonderful time no matter what part I'm in :)
Fred, Thank you for the kind compliment, it's only because I love the City so much. My aunt always told me to be careful of the memories I make, that I will live off them in the future--sounds very much like what you're saying. I learn so many things from Katerina, she amazes me with her knowledge!
Gayle, I would miss it, too. I have some favorite other cities like Boston and San Francisco but am so fortunate to be close enough to get to the city anytime.
Lisa, I read your wonderful Localism posts all the time and know how much you love your area--which I have never been to; hmmmm, maybe we should switch for a week :)
Sally, I will always wonder where she went; funny that the kids were so young and have forgotten so many things but both remember the Pigeon Lady.
Maria, New York City is another one of my loves :) It's amazing to me that there are so many people on Long Island who hate it and it's true: You either love it or hate it.
Gary, I can't believe the changes. I was in Hell's Kitchen not long ago and from a place you never went near, we stayed to have lunch :) It is wonderful what they have accomplished all over New York.
Lizette, Spring is on the way...and I'll be back to the city when the next beautiful day hits.
Joan, I had eaten at Windows on the World, it was truly spectacular. And I now find myself staying away from the area, it is too sad for me...but the Park is always fun.
Candy, I didn't see it--it couldn't possibly be the same person I don't believe. I wonder if anyone else has memories of her and that's why it's included. Now I'll have to rent it! Thanks for letting me know.
Deborah, You would enjoy it, I'm sure. As close as I am I used to stay over for a weekend but the prices have tripled in the last few years. So even if I'm going two days in a row I come home and go back..what a shame.
Carole - You make New York City absolutely irresistible. Love the stories and the photos. You seem to have such a great time with your family.
Thanks for sharing!
Katerina, I thought some people might have misconceptions about the City, unfortunately the news of course only announces the negative. There is much more beauty in New York then many people realize.
Deborah, Laura has been doing Feng Shui so long and she's really good at it! She Feng Shui's Dorm rooms up in New Paltz. I wonder if you'd want to leave the museums here, we have some of the best...I'm going to do a post on MOMA which is my own personal favorite and know how much you love art.
Trace, We really enjoyed her, she was absolutely wonderful to speak with. I always wondered how she ended up homeless but it was not something I could ever bring myself to ask her--
Marzena, I'm lucky, I have great kids--most of the time :) And they are very supportive. NYC is so wonderful that I hope everyone will get here at least once.
Deborah, If you don't count the time waiting for the train, it's exactly one hour--not at all bad. Unless you miss the train, my line comes only once an hour. But it's just fun to wake up in the city and have the whole day ahead of you! In the summer are wonderful street fairs and a few of those walking tours are fabulous. The room rates can be less expensive (about $300) for a not very nice hotel or you can even stay at the "Y" if you want. I'd rather come home and go back again.
Teri, Someone else mentioned a Pigeon lady in the movie and I've never seen the movie! Maybe they based her on the real one in the park. I never knew what her real name was, it was just our nickname for her but she adored her birds.
Carole: I grew up in New Jersey - about a 20 minute train ride from "The City". From the time I was about 11 yrs old, my girlfriend Sheri & I would hop on the bus to the Port Authority. We would walk around The City, go to museums, Central Park, visit my brother who worked as a stock broker, etc. As we got older we would beeline it to Greenwich Village (it was the 60's after all).
My hair curls with the thought of allowing two 11 year old go into NYC by themselves now. My friend and I both came from good families with involved parents, and there was no problem allowing your kid to do something like that - then. Crazy, huh?
Awesome Post Carole and great photos - did your view of safety change over time because you changed? I have felt similar changes over time about my hometown of Chicago.
You were truly an angel to the pigeon lady and what a great example you provided to your children by helping her!
Sincerely,
Grace
I enjoyed your photos. Great story about the pigeon lady. Enjoyed your post.
Michelle, I don't think I'd want my kids walking around the city at 11 years old, even though I think it's MUCH safer then it was! When I think back I did such stupid things at that age--when we all thought nothing could hurt us :) And years ago it was so different then it is now, you must miss it! I didn't start going until I was older; if you haven't seen it in awhile, you'd be shocked how different it is!
Grace, No, I didn't change, the city in certain parts were awful--and unsafe. There were places you just couldn't go and when the sun was setting you got out of the park. It is completely different now; people that remember the city in the 70's and 80's all see the changes. I loved Chicago when I went, I had a wonderful time there!
Tina, Thank you for your comment. She was unique and very interesting to speak with.