The new Puritanism and other New York City, NY General Tips

Favorite Thing: Times square when I first visited was a shrine to tackiness - a melting pot of the more shady side of life that is the underbelly of American society.

But times they are a' changing - and the new Puritianism is sweeping this corner of New York along with the rest of the city.

The dirty bookstores and cimema are fewer in number and not clustered together, smoking is virtually impossible and the vagrants get moved on in the blink of an eye.

Fondest Memory: One of my favourite theologians was the German writer Paul Tillich. He wrote brilliantly on the human condition in such books as 'The Courage to be'. His family escaped to America before the second world war, and he ended up as a professor in New York.

Sadly, however he ended his days wandering around the porn cimemas of New York - I'm not sure he would have approved of the new Times Square born out of the puritanical, literalist, fundamentalist approach of the city fathers.

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Favorite Thing: was called "A walk up Fifth Avenue" by Bernard Levin, an English columnist and writer.

The book does exactly what it says on the cover, and although quite celebral in nature it is also witty and vividly descriptive.

It was written in 1989, and so some of the references will be a little out of date, and some of the places he mentions may well have gone. Even so, if you can get hold of a copy (it is now out of print) it will provide a fascinating insight into one persons take on not just a road, but through it's pages on America itself.

To give you a flavour of his writing, this is Levin talking about modern architecture :

"What has happened to architecture since the second world war that the only passers-by who can contemplate it without pain are those equipped with a white stick and a dog?"


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Favorite Thing: Street performers in New York, as elsewhere come in all shapes and sizes.

Only in America however could a street entertainer become a 'brand' with his own website, merchandise, and for all I know franchise agreements as well.

I am of course talking about the 'Naked Cowboy' who struts around Times Square with only a pair of workers boots, some clean white underpants, a guitar and a strategically placed vegatable to his name.

He must make a fortune from posing with tourists for photographs, and I presume he gets plenty of offers to keep him busy at night as well.

I just worry what he will do in years to come - the prospect of the 'Naked Grandad' doesn't appeal too much.

See his website at : www.nakedcowboy.com


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Favorite Thing: Whilst I did not wish to laden this travel guide with references to the horrors of 9/11, this simple statue provides a very dignified memorial to the 343 firefighters who selflessly gave their own lives to save others on that horrific day.

It stands on eighth avenue near 44st street, and was actually commissioned in 2000, but has come to be closey associated with the worst day in the History of the city.

Fondest Memory: A FIREFIGHTER'S
PRAYER

-Anon
When I am called to duty, God
Whenever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age,
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert and
Hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor and
Protect his property
And if according to my fate
I am to lose my life,
Please bless with your
protecting hand
My children and my wife.

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