Lower Manhattan

A few weekends ago, after diner breakfast at the Landmark Coffee Shop in Chinatown, I set off wandering. I had no destination and no plans, which is always how some of my favorite adventures come to be. I don't consider myself a "photographer" by any means, but I do love having the time and space to take photos without agenda. Photographing storefronts, signage and city life that catches my eye as I wander aimlessly is one of my most treasured activities.

In addition to exploring Chinatown, I wandered the streets of Soho, TriBeCa and the Lower East Side. Our diner was right across from a hotel proclaiming that it was in "SoLita" which we laughed about—although a lot of neighborhood names begin as ridiculous branding experiments by real estate agents, that one seemed particularly forced.

At one point I stumbled upon Staple Street, an approximately 476-foot-long mini street north of the World Trade Center. I'd been there once before looking for a Banksy piece, but I was still in awe of how much I could instantly love a single street. With no room for street parking and an intriguing skybridge, I immediately said outloud (to no one, because New York is making me crazy) "This is officially my favorite street in New York." If I hadn't been there myself, I would swear that Staple Street was on a Hollywood backlot—it's almost too cute.

I passed so many lovely new-to-me storefronts with beautiful signs, awnings and neon. The Chambers St. Smoke Shop sign stopped me dead in my tracks—it looks as if it had been covered for years and just recently got revealed when the occupant left. The store is now vacant and for rent, and I can only hope that the new tenants don't destroy such a beautiful old sign.

I made friends with a window cat, stared up at the skyline like a tourist and found a funeral home with the most wonderful stained glass windows. I've been thinking a lot lately about what makes me happiest, and trying to do more of those things—city walks like this are high on that list.