Central Harlem, Frederick Douglass Blvd Between 125th and 124th Streets

Mary Sargent © 2006 ……………….........…………….. click to enlarge

My son, Bill, came for a visit this Thanksgiving, and Friday we went for a walk in Harlem which is mostly new territory for me. In the 24 years I've lived here, I can remember going to Harlem only 4 times; once with a black man to eat at Sylvia's, which did not go over big, my being white, that is, but this was in the early 80s, maybe it's different now, once to go to some kind of African festival, a bit disappointing as it was in its early stages of organization, once to take my grandson to Rucker Park, so he could see the famous basketball court from his video game, and once to The Classical Theatre of Harlem to see Waiting For Godot. OH, I just remembered another time, another restaurant, but can't remember the name. Soul food.

Anyway, point is I have a lot of walking to do.

We took the A train to 125 and walked east to Lenox Avenue, down to 116 and up St. Nicholas back to 125. 125th Street is a big, bustling commercial street, with lots of stores and lots of people selling stuff on the sidewalk. It was a beautiful day in the 50s with bright, bright sun, but not so good for shooting because of the dark shadows and bright sunlight. Too much contrast. Especially a problem on 125th Street, so I can't show you the scenes I'm describing. Try to imagine.

This shot is taken from the corner of 125 and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, looking down the boulevard. By the way, Frederick Douglass is a continuation of Central Park West, which is a continuation of Eighth Avenue. Map Quest doesn't seem to recognize it.

See map.