Water Taxi, from Red hook, Brooklyn

Photo by myself in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

We got back safe and sound, Saturday afternoon and are recovering from jet lag. Part of the recovery process involved getting some groceries from Fairway, in Brooklyn. Already, vacation seems far away!

From the park alongside the supermarket, you can see the Statue of Liberty quite nicely. Sunday was bright and clear.

No one was in line for the Water Taxi, which takes you to Wall Street each day. The taxis run every 45 minutes and are painted the same shade of yellow as the four-wheeled ones on the streets.

For the Water Taxi schedule, click here.



Related posts: Yellow Cab, Under Snow, Hailing a Cab, in Times Square, and Evening on Sixth Avenue.

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Taxi of Tomorrow, Coming Soon

Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue in Midtown.

A 'taxi of tomorrow' coasted down Sixth Avenue, the other day. It was out for a test drive and was not available for hire.

I frankly cannot keep up with the different taxi models! For the longest time, taxis all looked alike. They were the sedan-type models, with a plastic sheet separating the front row seats from the back seats. There was a little hinged thing where you passed money to the driver.

Now, there are minivan type cabs with a couple rows of seats and doors that slide open. There are hybrid green cabs (though still painted the familiar orangey-yellow). There are cabs with the plastic sheets encasing just the driver, so you can sit in the passenger's seat.

These new taxis are designed to be wheelchair accessible; the bottom of the sliding door is about curb-height. They have charging stations in the back seat for recharging cell phones. But they aren't hybrids, which can run twice as far for each gallon of gas.

I've talked at length with cabbies about their hybrid cabs. The trouble is the parts are so expensive, when they break down, any cost savings they get from good gas mileage goes down the tube.

The new cabs are due out in a few months' time.
For more about the taxis of tomorrow, click here.

Related posts: Fixing Flats, in the Streets, Colorful Cab, in Midtown, and Evening, on Sixth Avenue.

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Pedicab, on Sixth Avenue

Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.

A pedicab driver posed for me the other day. Behind him, was a slew of regular yellow cabs.

I asked him about his mock license plate on the front of his bike. He doesn't actually own a taxi license, which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and are bolted down to the hoods of yellow cabs.

As you can see, it's been raining on and off recently, but this pedicab is equipped for the weather. He asked whether he could give me a ride.

I laughed and said I was going to Brooklyn. A long trip!

Related posts: Pedalling Around Columbus Circle, Before a Tour, Pedicab Style, and Working It.

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Yellow Cab, Under Snow

Photo by myself in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

We're climbing out from under a bunch of snow, in New York. Overnight, about 8 inches or so came down in our neighborhood. The entire northeast was snowed under and we escaped the worst of the storm.

You rarely see cabs parked overnight, since the medallions cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each. Recently, medallions have been sold for over a million dollars (!!). The cars are driven almost 24/7, as a result.

This cab is a hybrid. I've been told by cabbies that hybrids are better on fuel usage but the repair costs are very expensive. And since the cars are driven constantly, it's not a good thing to own a hybrid cab.

I've been in a hybrid cab before and immediately knew it was a hybrid because it didn't vibrate when we stopped for a red light. At slower speeds, hybrid vehicles run on electric energy generated by their own movement, rather than gasoline.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Related posts: Portrait of a Cab Driver, on Fifth Avenue, The View, from the Back of a Cab, and Cabs Galore, on Lexington.

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The View, from the Back of a Cab

Photo by myself, from the back of a cab.

The back of a cab is dark and questionable place. But the front seat is full of lights and gizmos.

Tuesday night, I stayed late at work, then took a cab home. On the way back, I had an animated talk with the cab driver. It was my third cab ride of the day.

My first cab ride was in a hybrid car, and the cabbie told me about how much money he saved on gas. But then he was charged a special fee by the Taxi and Limo Commission. He was driving two shifts, back to back.

My second cab driver bemoaned the fact that he didn't buy a medallion when they cost $150k. They now cost about $800k. He boasted that he's driven a cab for 17 years but has never gotten a ticket for missing a red light.

And then there was my third cab driver, above. Only 25 years old, he had gotten his taxi license 7 months ago. Already he was wondering whether this would be his ultimate career, since the long hours and stress are unhealthy.

The young cab driver said the hardest thing about the job was 'controlling your mind', that is, staying alert to all the traffic, pedestrians, changing lights and other drivers making turns without signaling. That, and not going to the bathroom for long periods of time (!).

Related posts: Cabs Galore, on Lexington, Stuck on 8th Avenue, and Colorful Cab, in Midtown.

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Outside the Neue Gallery, on the Upper East Side

Photo by myself at 86th Street and Fifth Avenue, on the Upper East Side.

A number of yellow vehicles convened at an intersection outside the Neue Gallery, on the Upper East Side. I took this photo from the rear seat of a similar yellow vehicle ;-)

The Neue Gallery is a small gallery devoted to the decorative art of Germany and Austria from the turn of the 19th Century. They regularly exhibit drawings and paintings by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.

The museum is housed in a stunning townhouse built in 1914. The roof is covered with slate tiles and the round attic windows are clad with copper, against the weather.

Related posts: The Whitney Museum, on the Upper East Side, The Getty Villa, in Malibu California, and The New York Historical Society, at Dusk.

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Stopped on Park Avenue, in Midtown

Photo by myself on Park Avenue and 47th Street, in Midtown.

Yet another photo from a cab, this one on Park Avenue.

As you can see, the buildings along Park Avenue are really tall. Most of them, at least above 42nd Street, are pre-war.

A ray of sunshine peaked through from between the buildings. Yes, we do get slivers of sun here.

There also happen to be several fancy car showrooms on Park Avenue, just a few streets from this spot. The Ferrari, Audi and Mercedes showrooms are all clustered next to each other, on the west side of Park Avenue. For whatever reason.

Related posts: Hovering Above Park Avenue, Life on Park Avenue, and Cabs Galore on Lexington Avenue.

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Evening, on Sixth Avenue

Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.

A photo from the mothership. Lights and cabs crowd Sixth Avenue all day and night, making it a rather shiny place to be.

-- I am posting from Kyoto Japan, where we are staying until Saturday. We actually land before we leave. We leave at 11am and we land in New York just before 11am on the same day!

I must say that New York City is nowhere as crowded as some cities in Japan. There are not nearly as many stores, or eateries or lights or signs. When confronted with a crowded sidewalk on a typical day in Midtown, I should not complain.

Happy Wednesday to all!

Related posts: Streetside, in Midtown, Burning Bright, in Times Square, and The Empire State, at Dusk.

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The View Down Seventh Avenue, in Midtown

Photo by myself around 7th Avenue and 55th Street, in Midtown.

Looking down Seventh Avenue from the back seat of a cab, you can see the taller buildings near Times Square.

If you're ever visiting New York, I recommend getting in a taxi on a nice day and sailing up or down one of the busier avenues. You get a view that is wholly different from the typical pedestrian view. Another alternative is to get on one of the many city buses. The fare is the same as a subway ride ($2.25 per ride).

Because you move faster than on foot, you're not hung up so much on the little details, and see the sweeping view of the street.

-- This photo is from the stash. I'm currently in Los Angeles until Monday.

Looking through tons of photos to post for today, I started getting very homesick. I know it sounds ridiculous to idealize bumpy cab rides while vacationing among sunshine and palm trees!

By the way, when New Yorkers say we're heading 'down Seventh Avenue', it's understood that you're moving south. If you're heading 'up Seventh Avenue', you're moving north.

Traffic on Seventh Avenue runs north to south, however, so if you're in a vehicle, the only way is down.

Related posts: Cabs Galore, on Lexington, Looking Up, at Rockefeller Center, and Night View, Along the East River.

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Portrait of a Cab Driver, on Fifth Avenue

Photo by myself, on Fifth Avenue.

A cab driver posed for a portrait after taking me on a trip up Fifth Avenue. You can just see the lush foliage of Central Park, in the background, and a little of my reflection in the rear window, haha.

We had just had a long, animated conversation about lots of things, during our 60+ block trip uptown. We took a shortcut by going north through Central Park, avoiding the stop-and-go of traffic lights.

Right now, you can enter the park at 59th Street and exit at 72nd Street on either the east or west side. The park extends all the way up to 110th Street, but the upper portion of the park is closed to thru-traffic.

I don't often talk with cabbies, but after he honked angrily at another driver hogging up two lanes, we commiserated about bad drivers, Mayor Bloomberg, the upcoming city-wide bike share and how surprisingly few accidents take place.

We were both not enthusiastic about the upcoming bike-share, where scores of bikes can be rented and dropped off at various locations. Just imagining loads of cyclists who might not know what they were doing sounded like potential disaster to us, crotchety New Yorkers.

I asked the cabbie if I could take his photo at the end of my trip, and he told me his name, but....by the time my meeting was over, I completely forgot it. Argh!!! He was such a lovely fellow!!

--By the way, most New Yorkers refer to Central Park as 'the Park', just as they refer to Manhattan as 'the City'.

No, we are not so egotistical that we think there are no other cities or parks on this planet. We are lucky to have many parks to choose from. It's just an easy shorthand for people when speaking.

Happy Friday, everyone!

The Portrait Series is a once-in-a-while installment, featuring New Yorkers encountered on the street.

Related posts: Portrait of a Bike Messenger, in Midtown, Portrait of a Guy on Sixth Avenue, and Portrait of a Dog Owner, in Tompkins Square Park.

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A Colorful Cab, in Midtown

Photo by myself around 35th Street and Sixth Avenue.

A colorful, striped taxicab drew some attention from onlookers a few months ago.

The painted geometric motifs refer to Hilfiger's 'Promise Collection', a recent collection of clothing and accessories inspired by African motifs. All of the proceeds from the collection go toward helping communities in Ruhiira, Uganda.

For more about Hilfiger's commitment, and to purchase items from the Promise Collection, click here.

Related posts: Cabs Galore, on Lexington, Stuck on 8th Ave, and Fixing Flats, in the Streets.

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A Big Wave Hello on Fifth Avenue

Photo by myself at 5th Avenue and 56th Street, in Midtown.

While stopped at a light on Fifth Avenue, Monday afternoon, I stuck my camera out the window. The driver of the cab next door rolled down his window and gave me a big, goofy hello.

And I mean big. Like many New Yorkers, this fellow was not shy.

He yelled to me that I should enter the photo in a contest, and I might win some money. Like a million dollars.

We laughed about it. Then the light changed, and off we went.

Related posts: Greetings from Above in Midtown, Greetings From New York, and A Friendly Wave in Midtown.

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Cabs Galore, on Lexington

Photo by myself around 28th Street and Lexington Avenue.

This tiny neighborhood called 'Curry Hill' is usually lined with Indian and Pakhistani restaurants, and taxi cabs. Many taxi drivers are natives of those countries or they are fans of the delicious cuisine ;-)

I don't blame them! This is one style of food where vegetarian dishes are as tasty or more than meat ones.

--
By the way, this is the 1,500th post on this blog. Wow! It's been a quick and wild ride.

Thank you all for dropping by and sticking with me! If you have a spare second, try out the 'random post' option on the right margin. You never know what you'll get.

Related posts: Stuck on 8th Ave, Fixing Flats in the Streets and In Search of a Cab, in Midtown.

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In Search of a Cab, in Midtown

Photo by myself in Midtown.

A familiar sight when it rains. A whole line of cabs passed by this woman, having fares already.

It's much harder to find cabs in the afternoon and on stormy days. There have been times where I've tried in vain to find a cab in the rain. Gypsy cabs (non-yellow cabs that do not use meters) will pull by, offering to take you a few blocks for a high rate.

Gypsy cabs are safe, however it's best to negotiate a rate before you get into the car, to avoid a dispute.

--
Apologies, folks, I've been going through a photo slump recently.

This seems to happen every so often - life gets busy, and the inspiration wanes. Never fear, this time will pass.

TGIF, everyone!

Related posts: Hailing a Cab, in Times Square, Hailing a Cab, Outside the Hudson Hotel and Pretty in Pink, Downtown.

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In Search of a Cab, on Fifth Avenue

Photo by myself somewhere on Fifth Avenue, in Midtown.

A woman struck a pose very familiar to New Yorkers.

Generally, it's easiest to get a cab in the mornings. After about 3 in the afternoon, it starts becoming tougher.

Weather matters. In the rain and severe cold, taxis are harder to find.

Here are a few things that are required by law:
1. Passengers must enter and exit a cab on the sidewalk side. You may be fined, otherwise!
2. Taxi drivers cannot use cellphones while driving, though many do use headsets.
3. Taxi drivers must drive anyone to any address in the five boroughs of New York City. That means that drivers need to know how to generally drive anywhere you ask, and they cannot discriminate against you for any reason.

It is very common for a taxi driver to ask you where you're going and pretend he's going on a break if you wish to go outside Manhattan, where he might not get a return fare. This is against the law. You can report a driver by calling '311' and citing his badge number.

For more trivia about NYC Taxis, check out the Taxi and Limousine Commission site, here.

Related posts: Hailing in the Rain, Midtown, Stuck, on 8th Ave and Hailing a Cab, in Times Square.

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Leg Lunges, Midtown 9:25 am

Photo by myself, somewhere in Midtown.

I took this photo Wednesday morning from a cab, on the way to a job site. I was somewhere around 27th Street, (I think?) trying to make it crosstown for a meeting.

A woman was doing leg lunges down the sidewalk. A man was walking his little dog. Daily life in Manhattan. Pretty ordinary. You can see my taxi in the reflection of the building.

The cab driver turned around and asked what country I was from.

'Brooklyn,' I said, and not being sarcastic. We really are a land of our own!



Related posts: Playing Ball in the Public Courts, Running Along the Brooklyn Bridge and Playing Ball, in Red Hook Brooklyn.

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Pretty in Pink, Downtown

Photo by myself at Beaver and Wall Streets.

A woman in hot pink hailed a cab outside Delmonico's.

A steak house, Delmonico's has been in operation since 1837 and is supposedly 'America's first fine dining restaurant'.

--
Here's to the end of a long week. TGIF, everyone!

Related posts: Hailing in the Rain, Midtown, In the Rain, Midtown and Hailing a Cab, Outside the Hudson Hotel.

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Hailing a Cab, in Times Square

Photo by myself around 39th Street and Seventh Avenue.

Oh what a familiar sight.

For non-New Yorkers, please note that the light at the top of the oncoming cab is not lit up This means the cab is not available - it already has passengers, or the cab driver is on break.

The cab is also unavailable when sides of the light are on. Tiny words will appear, saying 'Off Duty'. Only when the number of the cab is lit, in the middle of the light, is it available for hire.

The best way to get a cab is to stand at a street corner, near heavily trafficked street. This can be tricky when you're on a quiet street in the Village. On rainy days and during rush hour (8:00-9:30 am, 5:00-7:30pm), it's a bit harder to find a cab.

--
By the way, if there's ever a time to visit Times Square, it's around dusk.

It's a magical time - the sky is an electric shade of blue, growing steadily darker. Headlights switch on, and all the towering signs are eye-poppingly bright.

Taxi!, Columbus Circle at Dusk and Fixing Flats in the Streets.

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Hailing in the Rain, Midtown

Photo by myself in Midtown, around Madison Avenue and 40th Street.

It's been raining and very chilly here recently. Best to bundle up to avoid catching a cold.

--
The other night, when I finally met up with my cousin who was visiting, we jumped into a cab to get to Brooklyn. It was cold and raining a little.

'Park Slope. Take the Manhattan Bridge.'

As we headed downtown, traffic was hideous. Crowding toward one of the stop lights, our cab grazed the side of another cab. No one was hurt, the side view mirrors and door handles were intact, but there was a definite and terrible scraping sound.

Can I say the other driver was pissed?

We were then hunted down for the next several stop lights. At one point, the offended driver pulled up alongside, rolled down his window and launched into a rant in Russian.

I turned to my cousin. 'Welcome to New York!' Cliche, I know, but I couldn't help myself.

Related posts: Fixing Flats in the Streets, Stuck on 8th Ave. and Playing in the Rain, Union Square.

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Taxi Drivers Wanted, Brooklyn

Photo by myself on Fourth Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

There's always the need for cab drivers in New York to keep taxis running 24/7.

--
Like the old tv show 'Taxi' with Danny Devito and Andy Kaufman, taxis are owned by companies with fleets of yellow cabs. Only large companies can afford to pay for the city-approved medallions, which each cab has. Some medallions go for as high as $400,000.

A limited number of medallions in New York keeps the population of yellow cabs fixed. Gypsy cabs are cars without medallions. They also don't have meters, so passengers need to agree on a price with their driver before taking a ride.

Riders are typically skeptical of gypsy cabs. (The name and the fact that they're usually black sedans doesn't help).

I've taken gypsy cabs before and can report that they are absolutely fine. There are many car services in Brooklyn rather than yellow cabs, and they're a reliable way to get around in a crunch.

Related posts: Fixing Flats in the Streets, Stuck on 8th Ave. and Taxi!.

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