Oh I know I'm a regular nostalgia machine. About as exciting as the Mike Love version of The Beach Boys playing a 4th of july bash at Great America. Even so, I have to share a memory
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how long ago was this? I remember some of the old buildings and porn shops and stuff were still there in the early 90s. I remember up until 1995/1996 we took buses up to NYC for the day all the time and got out at the Port Authority and on our way to where we were going, people would try to sell us fake ID's and stuff. But this might be a different block than what you're talking about. And walking down through the lower east side it was still kind of cool and junkies would ask you for money on just about every block.
And even in 2000 or so there were a few cool bars left here and there in parts of Manhattan that you could hang out in and not pay high overpriced charges for beers, but then i can't remember when it all changed and 7B's started to suck and the town became shiny and much less scary.
You know, I never took any photos, because we all thought NYC was sort of invincible to the point where there wasn't any need. This was about 93-94, I think ? That intersection by the Port Authority was the worst though! It stayed pretty grungy until they shut down the peep show, and stuck a Duane Reade over there. Even now that's where the porn shops are starting to pop up again. i guess we're lucky we got to know the city when it was still filthy!
I forgot about the fake ID tourist trap shops, that's right! Oh, and mentioning the East Village reminded me of the midnight flea markets that would pop up all down 2nd Ave. near St Marks, with hot merchandise and other junk. It was very apolcalyptic looking, with these junkie zombies selling their wares to limo drivers and stuff. I really wish I had pictures of that, because nobody would believe it. (The King Missile video for "detachable penis" is the closest photo representation I've ever seen...and that ain't much).
I want to say that I would give anything to have seen New York in that state, but I am probably romanticising it beyond all get out. Hard not to though when all you have to go on are seedy published memoirs and cracked out films. You know I love your nostalgia machine posts, more! more!
Likewise, your lizard and electronic shock therapy stories are far too scarce around these parts.
New York is at it's best when you feel as if you're in a movie. Not always movies which were meant to be set within NY City limits, mind you. Badlands and The Sound of Music were common Manhattan experiences for example.
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I remember some of the old buildings and porn shops and stuff were still there in the early 90s. I remember up until 1995/1996 we took buses up to NYC for the day all the time and got out at the Port Authority and on our way to where we were going, people would try to sell us fake ID's and stuff. But this might be a different block than what you're talking about. And walking down through the lower east side it was still kind of cool and junkies would ask you for money on just about every block.
And even in 2000 or so there were a few cool bars left here and there in parts of Manhattan that you could hang out in and not pay high overpriced charges for beers, but then i can't remember when it all changed and 7B's started to suck and the town became shiny and much less scary.
damn, do you have any photos?
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I forgot about the fake ID tourist trap shops, that's right! Oh, and mentioning the East Village reminded me of the midnight flea markets that would pop up all down 2nd Ave. near St Marks, with hot merchandise and other junk. It was very apolcalyptic looking, with these junkie zombies selling their wares to limo drivers and stuff. I really wish I had pictures of that, because nobody would believe it. (The King Missile video for "detachable penis" is the closest photo representation I've ever seen...and that ain't much).
Reply
Reply
New York is at it's best when you feel as if you're in a movie. Not always movies which were meant to be set within NY City limits, mind you. Badlands and The Sound of Music were common Manhattan experiences for example.
Reply
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