Downtown Manhattan

New York City is a hustle-bustle city that never sleeps....what a reputation. It is vibrantly alive and people are constantly on the go, a never-ending cycle of movement.
New Yorkers talk fast, walk fast and do everything fast, (yes, that too). I can't imagine any of them taking a real break to kick back and take it easy.
Going and going and going just like the Energizer Bunny.
I was on holiday, but at times, still felt the need to keep up with the fast pace, but then I reminded myself that I was there to "get away" and to give my body a well-deserved rest.
Chill-out time as it were.
My friends with whom I was staying, both worked during the day, and I had fun wandering around during the day by  train and lots of walking discovering new and old haunts.
On this particular morning, my friend Chippy took some time out to escort me around downtown Manhattan to view all the interesting touristy places....he was very good at it too.
I took as many photos as I could, so that I could share them with you, my blog friends.

Lots of interesting art sculpture displays outside large office buildings

The current rage - UniQlo a new Japanese clothing store (equivalent to the US Gap store)
.............just had to take a peek inside
Many floors with tons of trendy choices, and...........

....a lighted catwalk to model your choices

St. Patrick's Cathedral was undergoing extensive renovations....
A massive five year $175 million dollar renovation that will take care of the repairing, restoring and cleaning the soot-covered exterior, since pollution and acid rain has eaten away at the Tuckahoe marble. Crumbling bricks and faulty heating will also be addressed.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral remains open during the renovations (see the long line of tourists waiting to enter.....who wants to turn away 5.5 million tourist visitors annually.... the church knows business), however, work will pause during Masses.

Across the street a bronze statue of the ancient Greek Atlas is depicted holding the heavens.

Rockefeller Plaza

There are 200 flagpoles lining the plaza at street level. which includes various flags of  the United Nations member countries, the US states and territories.
During U.S. holidays, every pole carries the Flag of the United States.  

^{The lower level of the sunken plaza is converted to an outdoor ice skating rink every winter.  Since 1933 an enormous decorated  Christmas tree is placed in the area behind the Prometheus statue and the annual tree lighting ceremony takes place there.}

The Plaza is favoured by The Today Show (NBC) for outside broadcasts every morning, and also their Today Show summer concerts.

The bronze gilded statue of the Greek legend Titan Prometheus, bringing fire to mankind, was sculpted by Paul Manship, an American sculptor.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus betrayed Zeus, the Father of the Gods, by stealing fire and giving it to mankind.
You may read it all here.

The granite wall inscription behind him reads: "Prometheus, teacher in every art, brought the fire that hath proved to mortals a means to mighty ends."

In 1962, a plaque was placed at the plaza with a list of principles in which John D. Rockefeller Jr. believed, first expressed by him in 1941. It reads:
"I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.
I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.
I believe in the Dignity of labour, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.
I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.
I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.
I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should be as good as his bond; that character not wealth or power or position – is of supreme worth.
I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.
I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individuals highest fulfilment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His Will.
I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might."

One of the two Mankind sculptures by Paul Manship - "Youth"

Rockefeller Center Landmark Plaque.

Rockefeller Center was named after John D. Rockefeller

The other Mankind sculpture by Paul Manship - "Maiden"
These folks moved into view in a split second after I had lined up my shot.

The Brasserie Ruhlmann is the best outdoor dining in "The Plaza" with its French brasserie menu. The interior decor pays homage to the great art-decor designer Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann

Believe it or not, there were about twenty people (mostly women) camped out on the sidewalk  waiting to get a seat for the Jay Leno show for that night.
Didn't feel right taking their photo and posting, since some of them might have been playing truant from work.

Building 1251 Avenue of the Americas with its large fountain pool was once the worldwide headquarters for Exxon (now moved to Irving, Texas)

"Yes dear...it's Radio City Music Hall...."
One of New York's most popular tourist attractions, Radio City Music Hall seats 6,000 people. It's halls' interiors are one of the the world's greatest examples of Art Deco design.

Bustling crowded streets of downtown Manhattan

All the news....all the time

Revolving news to keep you updated

News Corporation Building has served as the headquarters for the News Corporation for many years. Stationed here are Fox Entertainment, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post. The Fox News studio is located on the ground floor of the building.

Diamond District

The area is one of the primary centers of the global diamond industry, as well as the premier center for jewelry shopping in the city. An estimated 90% of diamonds in the United States enter through New York.

Downtown Manhattan has so much to see and do....many more photos to follow of this incredible city.