NEW YORK: Touristang Pobre Walks The Streets of New York City

Walking the streets of New York

By Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre.

Introduction

It has always been my dream to visit New York even for just a day. So, when I moved to New Jersey, I knew that visiting New York is easy peasy. New York is around 40 minutes from New Jersey.  

I was standing in front of the big screen on Times Square when all of a sudden, I saw myself on this wide screen.

I thought "wow, awesome"...haha...

I took a pose in front of the City Radio, N.Y. 

This Chicken Teppanyaki is sold at the food court in the Rockefeller Center. 

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That Friday morning, Touristang Pobre was scheduled to go to New York for the renewal of his passport at the Philippine Consulate General, New York.  This is also the office of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations.  

 

Photo by Nick O.

His travel began at the Jersey City Train Station.  The train passes through several stops until it reached the 47-50 Streets/Rockefeller Center Stop.  From the subway, he went up the upper level of the train station and reached the Rockefeller Center.  

From there, he searched for the exit going to the 47-50 Streets.  Upon reaching 50 Street, he asked the police officer where to find the Philippine Consulate.  He was told to proceed to 5th Avenue.  After walking for a few minutes, he was able to find it.  Searching for building numbers was in his mind and upon seeing number 600 something, he knew that 556 is just a few more walk.  While he was walking on the sidewalk, he saw a marker on the door of one of the buildings.  It says something like: The Philippine Mission to the United Nations.

When he opened the door, he saw some Philippine handicrafts and felt relieved that indeed, this must be the Consulate.  After talking to the male receptionist about his purpose, the receptionist gave him a form to fill up and also his customer number P-044.  He was instructed to give it to the teller in the basement.  That began the processing of his passport renewal.  

The Consulate Office also facilitates the registration of Expat Pinoys in the United States so that they can vote during the May elections.  

Before lunchtime, Touristang Pobre was able to complete his application for the renewal of his passport and so he left the Consulate and went back to the Rockefeller Plaza for lunch. 

This is the Rockefeller Plaza where flags of nations fly.  Can you spot the Philippine flag?

"Syempre kodakan gid nga makita sya, o' di ba?"

This is the skating rink at the Rockefeller Plaza.  On the right side of this building is the food court.

Touristang Pobre walked to the food court located inside the Rockefeller Center.  This is also where tourists go to take the elevator going to the roof deck for the panoramic view of New York City. There were several restaurants that cater to the gastronomic need of the tourists in this side of New York. Touristang Pobre chose a Japanese meal - Chicken Teppanyaki.  It costs $8.00 which is just alright, cost-wise.  He enjoyed his lunch.  He was relaxed because he was no longer in a hurry.  

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After lunch, he decided to take a stroll down the streets of New York to search for some items to buy before heading back to New Jersey.  He was tempted to go to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck but knowing that it costs $24.00, he decided to skip it.  Maybe he will do it next time when he can already afford to pay the entrance fee.  So, he decided to continue with his walking tour of New York City, again. 

(Update: Few months later, I was able to reach the Top of The Rock Observation Deck, as what New Yorkers call the Rockefeller Observation Deck. I had a 360 degrees view of the whole of NY city including the huge Central Park.)

Radio City is an icon that tourists love to pose for a picture.  TP does not know why. 

Well, many people say that Radio City is the headquarters of The Rockettes, the precision dance team that was founded in 1925 at St. Louis, Missouri by Russell Markert and they have been performing in Radio City since 1932.

Ay, amo' ni gali rason kon nga-a damo ga pa picture sa entrance ka Radio City? 

OK, nadula pagka manol 'ta...haha..

Here's The Rockettes in one of their precision dance performances at The Radio City. 

Source:YouTube by Broadway Dot Com

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But he joined that trend by posing at the entrance of Radio City.

At Times Square, wide advertising screens such as this never fail to attract the attention of the tourist.

This is not an Ad for stocking, but a Broadway Musical.  Within the vicinity, people were queuing to get a discounted ticket for Broadway shows.

TP pose with the statue of Father Francis P. Duffy at Times Square. 

The original statue of Father Duffy was unveiled in 1937 to honor the man considered by New Yorkers as a hero.  For details about Fr. Duffy's story, please go to this link:

http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2011/08/father-francis-p-duffy-statue-times.html 

Recycling bins can be found at strategic places in the city. 

This widescreen caught the eyes of tourists when all of a sudden, they saw their faces on this screen.  Touristang Pobre did not waste time and joined with this crowd.  He is on the extreme right of the screen.

same here

and here

The cold weather did not dampen the spirit of tourists that flock at several points of interest in New York City.  Times Square was full of people.  The traffic was a bit heavy.  The stores along the sidewalk sell souvenir items like tees, scarves, hats, caps, gloves, instant hot food, and others. 

Who would not be tempted to buy this product if you want a good lifestyle? 

Giant Christmas Balls laden with snow.

This Lady Liberty is willing to pose for a picture with a little fee.

I was curious when I saw this sewer cover with "Made in India" written on it. I was really thinking that it is Made in the U.S.A. 

We have this in Makati.  The Renaissance Hotel. 

(TP stayed at Renaissance Hotel in Makati many moons ago.)

 

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New York City is always a vibrant megalopolis.  Tourists always find some reasons to visit New York, whether it is for business, pleasure, tourism, entertainment, shopping, sports or international diplomacy and understanding, or simply for adventure.

Touristang Pobre seldom goes to New York by train, but this experience is really worth trying again. Why? The challenge of reading all those signs and directions at every train station, arrival and departure bays or platform, make one go crazy. 

Once you reached where you were supposed to go, the feeling of satisfaction that you have done it is really great.  This is a pure adventure.

Riding the train back to New Jersey was a bit easy after a mental exercise on the way to New York.   The train going back to where you came from must always be on the opposite side of the train track. This in itself is also a challenge especially if you have a problem or difficulty in orientation.  

TP has two travel buddies that day, his son-in-law Nick and Errol from Oman.

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So, from the 47-50 Streets, Rockefeller Center, TP took the train to Journal Square, Jersey City.  The train made several stops, but TP has calmed down, knowing that the last train stop will be where he was going - Journal Square, Jersey City.  And that is where their car was parked.  

 Photos by Touristang Pobre except those specifically captioned.

  

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Reviewed on April 3, 2021.

Reviewed on May 6, 2024.