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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Ahoy, Matey!

Fleet Week
Photo by myself in Hell's Kitchen, on Ninth Avenue around 44th Street.

Memorial Day weekend marks Fleet Week in New York. US Naval ships and crafts from other countries dock along the west side, this time of year. Sailors usually stroll the streets in groups near 42nd Street.

Here, a member of the US Navy in white, takes in the city with a member of the US Marine Corps, in beige and blue.

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I used to work near 42nd Street on the west side. Around Memorial Day, I'd see sailors from other countries walking around. Most were from Britain, I believe, and walked around in their white uniforms with dark socks pulled up to their knees.

I always looked on this time of the year fondly. The military men and women stood out so obviously from us civilians, and it was nice to see them milling about on the sidewalks, enjoying the city.

Mark and I were on the west side today for lunch, and we spotted a few uniformed officers, who were probably American. For whatever reason, there didn't seem to be as many uniforms as in past years.

There were long lines along the West Side Highway, which runs along the edge of Manhattan, by the Hudson. Visitors are allowed to board some of the ships docked there. There was also a small group of people protesting against China, on behalf of Tibet.

Hell's Kitchen has loads of wonderful, affordable restaurants. Let's hope these fellas didn't spoil their pristine uniforms.

Other posts about Tibetan protests in New York: Peace to All and Tibetans of the World Unite.

For the New York Fleet Week site, click here.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sailors in white always fascinated me. I remember out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, sometimes one of the sailors would, like magic, appear on deck in a white uniform, holding a cup of coffee. The uniform would be spotless and the cup filthy.

Anonymous said...

Keeping those uniforms pristine must be a full-time job! They always look so perfect.

Carolyn said...

I have heard of Fleet Week. It must be cool to see all those guys in uniform on the street.

Carolyn

Mom Knows Everything said...

What women doesn't love a man in a uniform. Cool pic!

Olivier said...

j'aime bien le "Fleet Week", ce weekend là, sur Times-Square on peut être filmer et passer sur le grand écran (j'ai une photo ou je suis sur le grand écran ;o) ) et oui on est touriste ou on ne l'est pas ;o)
I like the "Fleet Week", this weekend there on Times Square, can be filmed and pass on the big screen (I have a photo or I'm on the big screen ;o)) and yes we are tourists or we are not ;o)

Mab said...

Hello Sailor ! Like the pic.

fishwithoutbicycle said...

I'm always shocked at how very very young they look. I spotted two female sailors in uniform yesterday clutching shopping bags from Banana Republic :-)

Knoxville Girl said...

My dad gave me some b&w snapshots of his shore leave in NYC with his buddies - from 1941! The more things change...

Kitty said...

lol, Mr. Lincoln. I wonder how these guys do it? Is there dry cleaning on board?

Hi Spandrel
I agree. How white the uniforms are reflects a great sense of pride.

Hi Carolyn
I have to say it's pretty cool. I wish I saw more of them the other day. Maybe they were sleeping in.

lol Tammy. My thoughts exactly.

Hi Olivier
I wish it were for a longer period. The days sneak up on me and they're over.

Thanks Mab!

Hi Fish
Yes, they all seem to still have peach fuzz.

Hi Knoxville girl
how neat? Happy Memorial Day to him.