One the historically rich areas, located close to Midtown district containing many of the Manhattan business, hotels and restaurants is the form stomping grounds for the most unsavory and downright characters that color the past history of New York. This is Hell’s Kitchen and I stayed here for a few nights with my friend Robert. Robert has lived all over the city, and each time I visit, I encounter a different aspect and a different vibe than before. Due to Robert’s bohemian nature, I learn a bit more each time I go.
At one time the home to many of the Irish-Americans and the members of the various, notorious Five Point gangs, this is now becoming quite a funky and unique neighborhood. There are boutique stores for dogs on every corner it seems, many different choices of restaurants offering food from different ethnic communities, along with a vast array of interesting and varied shops. When one visits Hell’s Kitchen one really must take a walk done Eighth Avenue.
This is close to the Port Authority and is one of the busiest streets in the neighborhood. Again, the variety of shops and merchants is overwhelming, from discount stores for hardware and electronic supplies, to gift shops and clothing boutiques. The area is also known to be one of the best places in the city to find small, out of the way–a bit hole in the wall in nature, restaurants and bistros. For some friends of mine who tend to take “food tour vacations” this would be the perfect destination.
The stretch of 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues is known as Restaurant Row. It reminded me a lot of the stretch of Division Street, between the Avenues of Western and Damen in Chicago. Just one restaurant after another. And as is the same with both of these areas in different cities in the United States, there was a time not long ago where walking the streets at night would have been dangerous. This is not long so for Division Street, and it is no longer so for this area of Hell’s Kitchen. It’s a wonderful place to get a true feel for all that is the city of Manhattan.
Despite countless reports of escalating violence due to the war on drugs in Mexico, the tourism board is reporting a two percent growth in International tourism in the first quarter of 2009. This news comes as the U.S. is taking steps to help quell the violence and assist in bringing an end to the turmoil. Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is visiting the San Diego-Mexico border today and is scheduled to go to Mexico and speak with Mexican President Felipe Calderón. She has gone on record saying that the Department of Homeland Security will be adding additional resources to the border to tackle the problems with arms trafficking.
The continued rise in tourism comes as a surprise amidst travel warnings and the economic downturn. However, the state of the U.S. economy may be what is helping to drive tourists to the area. Vacationers may be selecting Mexico over other locations, because it is a cheaper alternative to other destinations. Instead of staying away from the entire country, tourists can pick up their map to Mexico and vacation with care to the areas that have been spared from the majority of the violence. Popular vacation spots, such as Cancun and Los Cabos, are hundreds of miles away from the hotspots where violence has been most prevalent, like Tijuana or Ciudad Juarez.
However, even though the violence has been less prevalent in hotel and resort areas that cater to tourists, the drug cartels have pervaded the entire country. For anyone going to the area, whether for a spring break excursion or a business trip, caution should be exercised. Acts of violence can erupt anywhere in the country, and just being aware of that reality can make a difference in how to plan and prepare for a trip into Mexico.
Tina posted a while ago about a cute advertising site by Next Day Blinds. It’s been on my radar for a while, and I finally checked it out. I really wish I had seen it earlier. They’ve put up videos, magazine ads, radio spots – the works. The T.V. commercials are actually funny, and even more impressive is are the pictures of the blinds, shutters and shades. They look so beautiful! I’m planning on taking a trip to one of the Next Day Blinds showrooms sometime soon. I’d like to get some mini-blinds for my condo that will block out more of the light. Sometimes when I have to work nights, I need to sleep in the morning, but the honeycomb shades I have right now just don’t cut it. I’d be nice to not have to put blankets over my windows just to keep the light out. It’s tacky and cumbersome.
Reporters are converging on Beijing to begin coverage of the 2008 Olympics starting on 8/8/2008. To host the games, the Chinese government assured the International Olympic Committee that journalists and press from across the globe would have open Internet access, removing the effects of a firewall that censors numerous sites from public view across the country. The New York Times reports that despite initial denials, the Internet is being censored at the Olympic Press Centers.
This news comes as another unfortunate example of the Chinese government reneging on the pledges made to host the games in the first place. Clear blue skies and an improvement on their human rights record were some of the other pledges made. According to the Times article, President Bush has met with Chinese activists to discuss the situation. Many are boycotting the games to express their disapproval; however, the President has said he would attend the games and use the gathering as an opportunity to openly bring messages of freedom to Chinese officials and citizens. With a little more than one week left before the games, it will take a miraculous effort on China’s part to win over the hearts of the world for the global games.
