Behind the Lens :: Hidden Architecture

Church of St. Joseph

I just could not get enough of the architecture on our trip. The buildings are magnificent. Big or small they all have so much craftsmanship packed into their design. While we spent much of our day in Prague around the main town square of the old town, we managed to wander off down some side streets and stumble upon a few hidden treasures. 

A few posts back I showed you a picture of the amazing metal door of the Church of St. Joseph decorated with filigree. This is the front of that church. Just another church, down just another side road. 

Church of St. Joseph Skylight

It was hot while we were there. Really hot. Mid to high 90s and no A/C. 

But the second I pushed open the door to the church I felt a waft of cool air rush across my face that just drew me in. 

It was a small chapel. Nothing special, no ornate alter or huge crucifix hanging from the wall. Just a simple place to find some reprieve and quiet solitude. I sat in a pew and cooled off. Looking up all I could see was this beam of soft light coming in from the narrow sky light at the top of the dome. I was truly lost in my own space and time that I didn't notice the small face a few rows up intensely staring at me. I was a complete curiosity to the young girl. I guess just as much as this old church was to me. Funny how that happens sometimes when you are so intent on things going on in your own little world that you forget to notice the effect you have on the world around you.

Playing Hooky with the Bead Girl

Bead Girl's picture of a door at Clinton Castle

Native American Pin

Last Friday my daughter had an optional field trip. Their school does an annual trip to view a surgery. This year was a bypass, in previous years it's been open heart. She was dreading it, and the school allows for kids who just can't take it to opt out. 

Seems a strange field trip, but the district here feels like it encourages those kids that can see themselves in the sciences, or those that might go into medicine. But for those of us that can't take the sight of our own blood (that would be me) ... the kids can opt out.

Bead Girl's picture of museum sky light

And so, the Bead Girl and I played hooky last Friday. I took the day off to run around NYC with her. We managed to get in quite a bit of the city including a trip down to Battery Park for a peek at the Statue of Liberty and a look around Clinton Castle (the battery itself). 

Native American Water Jug

Then afterwards we walked across the green there to the National Museum of the American Indian, which had free admission. I love this type of exhibit. I have seen many in multiple countries. But I will tell you that only one rivals this exhibit and that is the one in Vancouver, BC at The Museum of Anthropology. If you are ever in the area it is a must see.

The National Museum here in NYC was amazing, and completely unexpected. They had exhibits from Indian culture from all over the Americans and down into Central and South America. While not as large as the exhibit in BC, it is packed with beautiful things to see. 

Chibi polymer figures by Bead Girl

From there, we headed uptown to check out other landmarks she had never seen. I know we live close to NY, but we really don't bring the girls into the city much. And even then we usually have an engagement to meet up with someone so we don't sightsee. This trip was to tick off a few places she'd always wanted to see. We stopped into the Empire State building and then on to the Chrysler building. Not to mention Grand Central Station and the Graybar building next door. 

Cake, carrot and peas in polymer by Bead Girl

Our last stop was a store that she'd been talking about for months called Kinokuniya which is a bookstore full of all things Japanese. She's very in to anime whether it is drawing, painting or creating the little figures. She's practiced this miniature polymer art over past year. So she wanted to explore the store for new ideas. We spent 2+ hours there. Yes, 2+ hours. I can honestly say I was more than ready to leave when she said she thought she was 'done.' It was a fantastic day. And I loved every minute of spending a little one-on-one time with daughter. 

Look Up New York

Gorgeous building awning @ 5th Ave and 34th Street

Awning at 5th Ave and 40th Street

I've been having fun this past week playing with Instagram. I've had an account for, I don't know, 2 years? Probably. But have not posted a single picture. Yep. Not one. 

Then for some reason this week I decided I needed to get in there. Can't tell you exactly why, but this seems to be the week that I burst on to the scene of Instagram. Yeah, I'm a big trend setter. 

Doorway on just another side street in NYC

So why now? I stumbled across some Instagram photos that really caught my eye, and I realized that there are a lot of things that I see each day that I've grown used to and, to me, seem mundane. But may not to other people. So why not share? 

I walk to work each morning, and try to switch it up with varying routes. I duck down a street to see if I can discover some new hidden bit of architecture to admire. There are so many amazing buildings in NY that just go unnoticed. At least to the average tourism guide. 

Lord & Talyor window box

So much of the cool stuff is 'up.'  Literally. As a typical NY'er hustling off to work, your focus tends to be straight ahead, down to avoid stepping is some random piece-o-crap or up at the light to see if you need to run to cross at the next corner. That sums up walking to work.

I've decided to snap pics on the way to work. I'm still figuring out Instagram. Yes I know I'm late to the party, but I'm a quick study. It seems to be less connected than other social media, so I'm sticking to posting photos snapped on my iPhone. I guess that will limit my gallery to 'on the go' types of pics. Thus the current tour of the streets of NYC. Love to link up with you all who are already on Instagram. I've been trying to click around to find you all, but click here and link up with me! I'd love that.