USA & Canada trip 2005 photoblog: 10/16/05

Rain...

It has been raining a lot today, so didn't really do anything but eat. Took some photos last night which I never got to post, so here goes.

Times Square facing south.

Times Square facing north.

Empire State Building. Absolutely amazing at night. Wanna go up there before I leave.

Battery Park

Took the subway down to Battery Park just to check it out today. Wanted to try my new lenses. Weather sucks, it's all cloudy so that makes it a little more difficult to get good colors on the photos. My paparazzi 300 mm lens was awesome, makes it easier to shoot pictures of people when you can stand 20 meters away from them and therefore don't have to ask them first :)

Had lunch just around the corner.

You can just see the Statue of Liberty in the background.

Danish flag on a Korean War statue (the red and white one).

Yesterdays sushi chef catching todays buffet?

Poor guy, I guess he was very tired from riding the subway all day :)

Had to try...

Couldn't resist going outside to try my new wide angle lens on the tripod. Took a single shot of Park Avenue. Think I am gonna get some really good ones with this lens.

Park Avenue and 31st street.

Camera lenses powershopping

I finally found a camera store that was open! So I got myself a few lenses, one 70-300 mm (paparazzi style) and one wide angle 20-35 mm. Spend a total of around $600, which I think is a little much actually but I might sell them again when I get home as they are much more expensive there.

Met up with Anders from my gym in Denmark and we went to an all you can eat sushi buffet for lunch. It was only $10 and it was great. No stomach problems (yet).

It got a little late so I didn't make it to class in time. I decided just to watch and shoot some photos instead, Christian could need some new good ones for his website anyway :)

Hanging out on Union Square with Anders.

Christian teaching the clinch in his gym.

Adam's tatoo (they are so yesterday, now he wants a black eye instead).

Christian in clinch action.

Adam (who I am staying with) and Christian (who runs the gym).

MMA sparring.

Fifth avenue

Had a nice walk down fifth avenue this morning. It's getting a little colder here now. Got a good shot of the amazing Empire State Building.

The Empire State Building.

Nice weather

Been really nice weather here today. Difficult to enjoy though, as there is so much shadow due to the tall buildings.

Dog Fu gang fight in the park.

I almost twisted my back taking this one.

In desperate search for camera gear

I have been trying all day to find a place to buy a wide angle lens and a tripod for my camera with no success. I did buy a battery though, and cheap as well.

Found this one store, B&H, which supposively should be the biggest and best in the world. It's a good 10 minutes walk from here. Only small problem is, that is is CLOSED the exact same days that I am here in the city, what's up with that?? :( Same goes for the second largest.

Had a great training with 3 of the guys from the gym today by the way.

This guy is awesome. See him everyday with his headphones on selling Winnie the Pooh soapbubble machines around 30th street :)

Very good, if you weren't closed! :(

Amazing architecture.

Love the name of this restaurant.

First training in Christian's gym

Had a great workout in Christian's gym today. Trained for about 3 hours, great rolls with some good guys. Last year when I was here, there were about 4-5 people in the class but today it was packed, there was probably around 20-25 people, so the gym has really grown the last year. Which is understandable because it has a great vibe (as with any gym within SBG I have ever visited) and Christian is a great coach.

My knees are really not feeling good though. I don't know what is happening to them, since it is now both of them are hurting. Whenever they touch the mat it kind of stings just below the kneecap. Hope they will be alright for the turnament next sunday and the camp in Florida :(

Also walked around town a little bit today. Tried to find a store around 10th avenue and 35th street that should sell cheap equipment for my camera but couldn't find it. Had a nice walk around though. Weather has been great, clear sky and full moon this night.

Protecting the city against terrorism.

Walked to Times Square. Cooler at night, will be back.

Adam flashing his kimuraskills in the gym.

Christian making big money on martial arts!

A photographers paradise

This place is a photographers paradise, there are so many things going on, I'm gonna shoot a thousand photos here :) I need to find myself a wide angle lens here, everything is so high I can almost only shoot vertical photos. And I need a new battery and a tripod.

I walked around Manhattan for some hours today and shot some pictures. Was low on battery so didn't get as many as I wanted. Wanna see if I can rent a bike somewhere and drive around to get some good shots, would be much easier than on foot.

It is impossible to not be fascinated by this amazing city. It really has it all, from the best of the best to the worst of the worst.