One of the many cool things about NYC is that if you have come back from travelling some place, and you want a little taste of the place (wherever it is) again, you can find it in NYC- shops, restaurants, community. New York is so diverse- I would say it is the most diverse of all world cities I have visited- and this includes Los Angeles, Vancouver, London, Paris, etc.
I decided to go to the Japan Society to see an exhibit of Japanese made tin toys- mostly cars, from the mid-20th century. Across the street from the Japan Society, I stumbled upon this lovely farmer's market with lovely fruit, veg, cheeses and such. |
more nice fruit
|
The zen like interior of the Japan Society.
|
As a way to promote self suffiency after WWII, Japan factories were encouraged to make tin toys for the export market. They were pressed and assembled much like the manner of their full sized counterparts. As a result, these toys had a remarkable amount of amazing detail.
Loved this plane, |
and this futuristic "super jet".
|
'62 Cadillac Eldorado
|
Batmobile like police car
|
love the color of the caddie, dahling!
|
This little bus- how cool is it that the destination is "world". The liscence plate says "New York".
|
It was a sort of Greyhound bus. There was also a car with a caravan/camper. Let's take a trip!
|
How cool is this remote control car?
|
look at the realistic detail on the dashboard remote control.
|
Japanese travel themed board game from the 50's.
|
"Futura" car.
|
These two are some of the most prized Japanese tin toy cars out there.
|
This one featured a really cute Japanese anime alien character driving it! How cool is that? :-)
|
and most excellent- the ladies' bog featured a Japanese style heated toilet, so once again I got to experience blow drying my bottom. ;-)
|
I met my friends at a Japanese style Izakaya place when they got off work. I started off with a shochu plum sour. At the bottom are Japanese salty plums. Very refreshing on a hot day.
|
They even had octopus balls, which you may remember from our Japan pics. (in Japan this is more street food). They tasted pretty darn authentic!
|
me, enjoying some octopus balls. (wearing that panda t shirt I got in Japan :-) ).
|
This was super yummy- eel with avocado topped with Japanese mayonaise and then browned. It melted in your mouth- sooo goood!
|
This was also a winner- fried tofu in dashi broth.
|
Shrimps with some sort of creamy goodness.
|
This spinach was to die for.
|
When we were finishing up, my friend Lauren came and met us when she got off work. Gary and Cathy went home, and Lauren and I went for a walk, then had dessert and decaf cappys.
It was great catching up with her- I hadn't seen her since her wedding almost 3 years ago, although, as it is with friends, it felt as though no time had really passed. She moved to NY from Bawlamore 13 years ago. |
While we were walking around, I saw this American Apparel men's pants/underwear display. I had to take a snap because I was thinking you all would think this was amusing. ;-)
|
The famous banana cream pie at "Coffee Shop" on Union Square. Yes, it is worthy of the fame! ;-).
A nice way to finish off the day. |
 |
Those tin toys are to die for, and to think I had a box of them as a kid.
Oweena · 2009-07-17: 11:07
|
 |
'Belch'..... I am groggy with fabulous food... the blueberry bran muffins I just made now look like poop after a day with you and your fabulous japanese food!
kitegypsy · 2009-07-17: 11:12
|
 |
Yes-I love tin toys as well. So much work went into making them. That remote control car is cool. I found it amazing that a city as big as NYC can shut down streets for markets/festivals and ll people do is bitch about it (street closures) here.
truenic · 2009-07-17: 11:41
|
 |
Oh, my mouth is watering at the food pics. I love going to the Coffee Shop when I'm in NYC. Mostly just to laugh at the snooty waiting staff and to look at the beautiful people who just hang out in there...
cakemonkey · 2009-07-17: 13:01
|
 |
That food looks great. Not to be an anorak, but pic 6 is a 52 Caddy, not a 62. Sorry, I can't help it, I'm from Detroit.
portreeslim · 2009-07-17: 14:42
|
 |
"Beautiful peaches, peaches for me, beautiful peaches, peaches for free..." The food looks glorious!!
Tulpje · 2009-07-17: 15:22
|
 |
looks like a great place to visit - love the food shots especially the eel with avocado thought yummy yummy until I read eel - yuck!
poppyg · 2009-07-17: 16:50
|
 |
Ha! I was gonna say what 'slim said, except the Detroit part.
bouds · 2009-07-17: 17:38
|
 |
Lovely series.
JenPat · 2009-07-17: 19:16
|
 |
Hehehe, I don´t understand most of your comments on Japanese food.:)
rezinka · 2009-07-18: 07:46
|
 |
What a fab series, thank you mizb! not a fan of japanese cuisine as such, however the pie is a different story.. *droooooll*
ifpics · 2009-07-19: 06:04
|
 |
girl, you eat amazingly tasty looking food A LOT!
DutchCookie · 2009-08-01: 15:24
|
|
|
|
