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.

The Crowds on 34th Street, in Midtown

Photo by myself, at 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.

There are people, people, everywhere, especially on this street corner in Midtown.

34th Street is just round the bend from the Empire State Building and steps away from Times Square. There are many, many clothing stores in this area, including the Macy's department store.

All the very popular chains like Uniqlo, the Gap and Zara have outposts here. It is a shopper's delight.

Related posts: The Crowds on Lower Broadway, A Glimpse of 42nd Street, Times Square, and Across the Crowded Sidewalk, in Midtown.

A Brief Glimpse of Woodstock, New York

Photo by myself, in Woodstock, New York.

The main streets of the lovely little town of Woodstock, New York, are lined with wood guitars, each one with a distinct personality. Some are decorated with childrens' wood blocks, buttons or graphics. I liked the one above the most, with its artistic collage.

We thought that further north would be a good escape from the summer heat for a few days, but NO. It is just as hot and humid, with temperatures hovering around 90F. Fortunately, there are many little streams and lakes in Woodstock, which are perfect for humans and dogs to cool off.

People have been very laid back and friendly. Like typical city slickers, we completely forgot that things close earlier outside the city (!) and were almost stuck on July 4th without dinner.


A photo of one of the main streets, lined with little shops and restaurants.


Outside The Old Forge, one of the many antiques stores, which sells all sorts of music and psychedelic memorabilia.


A cardboard cut out of Jimmi Hendrix standing with his drummer, Mitch Mitchell. The town's main street is in the background, beyond.

The above photos were taken with my iphone. We'll be heading back to Brooklyn on Monday.
Happy weekend, everyone!

Related posts: A Last Look at Beijing, China, The Hotel Shangri-La, in Santa Monica, and Highlights from Japan, Part Two.

Summer Days, in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Photo by myself in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

It is July 4th weekend, and everyone in the States is enjoying the long weekend. A peaceful chocolate lab in our neighborhood looked like he was thinking fondly of summers gone by. He often naps on his front stoop.

Many folks took the whole week prior to this weekend off. We are spending a few days in Woodstock, New York, about 2.5 hours north of Manhattan by car. Woodstock is a very charming town in the woods, filled with art, music and old hippies.

It is just as hot here as it is in the city, with temps in the 90s and high humidity. In our rush to leave, I forgot to pack the little gizmo that downloads photos from my camera. Drat.

I posted a photo of the same dog a couple years ago in black and white, here.

Related posts: Dog Days of Summer, at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Four-Legged Co-Pilot, on Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, and The Spray of Summer, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Below Times Square and a Rupert Update

Photo by myself, below Times Square.

Big posters about the musical 'Kinky Boots' decorated the walls below Times Square.

Most of the time, this space is packed to the gills with people. Very often, the posters here have people in them, so you get the effect of there being...even MORE people here.
--We had a hot and humid weekend.

To cool off, our dog Rupert swam in the dog pond in Prospect Park. Boston Terriers aren't known to swim, because they don't have much fur or fat to keep them buoyant. But he loves the water.

Here he is, still damp, with ball in mouth.



Related posts: Mimes, Below Times Square, The End is Near, in Times Square, and On Times Square and Our Rupert.