Travelling Worm

A bookworm's travelogue

Category: New York

A stroll down Broadway, New York

This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 25-year-old bookmark and can proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

Today’s travel notes

Me and the TC are in New York, New York. The city that’s so big, you have to say it twice.

My impressions? Smiles are a little hard to come by, but all’s well when you get to know someone.

The book I’m in

Kill Decision, by Daniel Suarez. Convincing death-by-tech end of days adventure. This worm thrives on it.

Recommended food store

Whole Foods Market Chelsea, 250 7th Ave, New York, NY. There’s something for everyone.

Travel tip

Take a stroll through the city in the early morning. It’s cool and quiet. People potter around getting ready for the day. Colours are bright, tempers are soothed.

The photos

Me, your sleepy travelling worm, in early morning Times Square:

Now that you’ve seen the obligatory me pic, let’s jump back to the start of our stroll down Broadway. The Flatiron Building is near Madison Square Park, on Fifth Avenue and Broadway. It’s called “Flatiron” because its shape is similar to that of an iron:

Big Bling is a sculpture by Martin Puryear in Madison Square Park. The shiny bit is covered in gold leaf:

Being a little short in stature, I tend to notice things that loom. The skyscrapers in New York are good at looming, particularly when viewed from a park. Here they are, doing it Madison Square Park:

This Serbian Orthodox Cathedral on West 25th Street caught my eye as I strolled up Broadway. It’s just a shell. You can see sky and other buildings through the openings:

Colours, flowers, and bikes outside the Martinique Café:

It’s early morning on Broadway:

Poor pickings for pigeons:

Gotham Hall, with appropriate steam effects:

Approaching Times Square:

There’s a strong police presence this morning, possibly because the Gay Pride Parade is due to start nearby in a few hours:

All is quiet in Times Square. Just some early morning travellers strolling and the usual billboards scrolling:

That’s all for today, folks.
Jazz in Harlem, NewYork

This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 25-year-old bookmark and can proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

Today’s travel notes

Me and the TC are staying in Harlem, New York. It’s a grand old neighbourhood that has had its ups and downs. The people are friendly, the streets are wide, the transport is good. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in New York that is a reasonable price, this worm recommends Harlem.

My impressions? People are busy but make an art of taking things easy in Harlem.

The book I’m in

The Serbian Dane, by Leif Davidsen. Things are coming to a climax now.

Travel tip

The subway is good, but try the buses too. They are a bit slower, it’s true, but they are air conditioned and less crowded. The biggest advantage is that you can see the sights as you travel. Route M2 takes you all the way from Harlem to Greenwich Village in about 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Recommended accommodation

Easy Living Harlem, 214 West 137th Street, NY NY 10030. It’s a grand old house run by a hospitable couple. You’ll get a lovely room with bathroom en suite, as well as the shared use of a kitchen, living room and garden. Photos below.

Recommended restaurant

Spend a couple of hours at the Shrine in Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard, soak up the jazz, then move next door for a meal at Yatenga.

The photos

Me at a Harlem subway station, West 135th Street:

We stayed at Easy Living Harlem, in 137th Street:

A closer look at the house where we stayed – it’s the dark red one in the centre:

The view from our window. The neighbours are getting ready for a Memorial Day barbecue:

A general view of Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard in Harlem. It’s generously wide – this is just the right-hand side of the street:

Flowers, a fire hydrant, and the NYPD:

When in Harlem, jazz is a must. Our landlady recommended the Shrine. She was right, it’s the place to chill out and soak up some vibes. This picture shows Yatenga French Bistro (yellow) and the Shrine (white awning) on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard:

Jamming at the Shrine with Lu Reid and guests:

The band in action:

That’s all for today, dudes.
Times Square, New York

This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 25-year-old bookmark and can proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

Today’s travel notes

Me and the TC hit New York a couple of days ago. On our first evening, we wandered into Times Square quite by chance. It was that magic time when day is just about to yield to night. If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, make sure you catch the square at that time. It was perfect.

My impressions? This is where it’s all at.

The book I’m in

The Serbian Dane, by Leif Davidsen. Yes, still here. There’s been so much happnin (see, I’m picking up the lingo) in New York and Chicago, so the TC hasn’t had much time to move me to a different book.

The photos

Me in Times Square, junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue:

Elmo was there too:

So was this mime artist:

The square got its name in 1904, when the New York Times took up residence in one of the buildings on the square.

Click the play button for a full 360-degree view of Times Square:

This M&M saw us out of the square:

That’s all for today, dudes.