challenge : have a sincere converstation with a complete stranger

It was 1:30 AM on the corner of 45th and Madison in midtown Manhattan as we strolled hand in hand talking about our day. Becca and I were heading back to the hotel after a long night of sight seeing when we heard a soft voice speak to us. We looked up to find an middle aged man with gray beard toting a ragged old rolling suitcase with 6 balloons - 3 red and 3 white - wrapped around the extendable handle. His small wooden cane held his fragile hunched body as he asked us if we could spare some change. As I reached into my pockets to retrieve my one dollar coins that we were handed by the cashier at the Empire State Building just hours before I asked him for his name to which he replied Jay. I then asked Jay how long he has lived in NY and he told us that he has lived here for 32 years. We proceeded to get to know Jay as I dug through my pockets, I knew I had some money in there somewhere. I finally found what I was looking for and handed him a couple of dollars. I asked Jay if I could make is photograph and he kindly obliged. In our short 5 minute conversation with Jay we learned so much from him about his family, how he became homeless and that sleeping in the shelters is more risky than sleeping on the streets. As he walked away, I snapped one last image of him. I asked him to meet us in the same place the next night and we would bring him some more money. Although he didn't show up and more than likely we will never see Jay again the impact of that conversation will stay with me forever.

I challenge each of you to take a minute and have a conversation with a complete stranger... they don't have to be homeless just take some time out of your busy life and have a sincere conversation with someone that you normally wouldn't have spoken with. You never know... you might enjoy it.

These images were taken at 1:30 AM on the mostly empty streets of NY.

New York Day 2

After being up for almost 36 hours straight we were able to get a good night's sleep last night. This morning we started another busy day in NY, this time we headed for Greenwich Village, Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty. I can't believe how many things there are to see and do in on this tiny little island. I'm in a conference for the next two days so we wont be doing much during the day so I'll be getting some night shots for the next couple of days. I think we are going to try and make it to the Empire State Building tomorrow night at sunset so that should be fun.

Here are some images from today.
Us on the ferry on the way to see the lady.

Here we are with Lady Liberty.

Another one of us... but hey... it's our vacation right?

Here she is in all her glory! (no photoshoping... this is how I shot it)

This is what lady liberty wakes up to every morning. The NY sky line from Liberty Island.

This is an image Becca took of a memorial that some kids put together across the street from the hospital where the wounded were taken on September 11th 2001.

This is part of a memorial on the exterior wall of the building housing Ladder Co. 10 directly across the street from Ground Zero.

Home of all the great men and women that make up Ladder Co. 10

I don't even know what to say about this one. The feeling that came over Becca and I as we walked up to the empty hole is indescribable. I didn't even want to photograph it, all I really wanted to do is pray for those who lost their lives and their loved ones on that dreadful day.

Right as we got off the ferry after returning from Liberty Island it started pouring rain and hail. If you look closely you can see the rain still falling in the next images. These are grave stones in a church near Ground Zero.

New York Day 1

Wow... Yesterday was crazy! I was pretty nervous about coming to NY, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had heard stories about "Be careful with this..." and "Be careful with that..." and "Watch out for this..." but I haven't felt like that at all. Yeah there are a lot of people EVERYWHERE but nobody really pays attention to anyone else. It has definitely been a cool experience so far.

We have a busy day today, we are going to try and make it to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, Greenwich Village and the Empire State Building. I have a conference Monday and Tuesday so we are trying to get in all that we can! Our next trip to NY will definitely be a more relaxed one.

Here are some images from our first day... feel free to leave comments!

Becca Chillin.

Maybe we will do a top 10 list of all the things we loved about NY...

Reflecting on Radio City Music Hall.

One of the cool residential buildings that we passed by.

Becca and I in Central Park... as we were walking Becca says to me... "We should probably hold hands." That has been the joke ever since. LOL

Windows on a random building.

The Apollo Theater in Harlem.

One of the many churches.

Every Mac lovers dream... mmmmm

Hanging around Time Square at night with NY finest!