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.
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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