West Village, Varick Street Between Downing and Carmine Streets

Mary Sargent © 2009 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

I like it when I can get one short block with its low buildings all in one clump. I feel like I can just grab it all up in one piece.

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West Village, Varick Street Between Houston and Downing Streets

Mary Sargent © 2009 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Yesterday I went downtown to meet Myra to play ping pong. She's been playing at the Fat Cat and talking it up so I took her up on it. On the way I picked up a few shots. I got off the subway at Houston and walked up Seventh Avenue South. Or so I thought.

I just now discovered that this is Varick Street and not Seventh Avenue South. Seventh Avenue South starts one block north of Houston at Clarkson Street, a little bitty 4-block long street, or, if you prefer, Carmine Street (on the other side), a two block long street. Not Houston Street, which goes all the way across Manhattan. It's not right.

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Downtown, Varick Street at Houston

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Back to the subway station, and home, passport in hand.

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Downtown, Varick Street between Canal and Watts Streets

Mary Sargent © 2008 ……… click to enlarge

This is after the opening of Her-Steria when several of us were on our way to find something to eat. We found it at Ear Inn on Spring Street, an old, old bar that I last visited 20 or so years ago. But I mean way older than that, like 1817. Comforting to find it still there.

Farewell to Varick Street and Trump SoHo for now. A new walk starts tomorrow.

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Downtown, Varick Street between Broome and Watts Streets

Mary Sargent © 2008 ……….. click to enlarge

Can you believe this? This building was in last night's photograph. I can't wait to walk Watts Street and find out what it is.

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Downtown, Varick Street between Dominick and Broome Streets

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

See all those cars reflected in the window? I was walking very slowly, stopping to take pictures, and they kept pace with me for blocks. (I know because one car provided musical accompaniment the whole way.) You'll see why tomorrow.

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Downtown, Varick Street Between Vandam and Spring Streets

Mary Sargent © 2008 ……….. click to enlarge

These are the reflections I promised you two nights ago.

And below is a wider shot so you can see what you're looking at. This is the front of the building pictured last night.

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Downtown, Varick Street, looking south from Vandam Street

Mary Sargent © 2008 ………….. click to enlarge

Another skyscraper going up. I've decided to add a label – construction – because I seem to be seeing it everywhere I go. Be patient while I add on the archival photos. More on the skyscraper later. Meanwhile, keep your eye on this handsome building because it will show up later in some reflections.

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Downtown, Varick Street, looking south from King Street

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Okay, then. Although I'm still yawning, I think I'll be able to do a complete post tonight. Plus, I already put in the links for last night's post.

Last evening I went downtown to the opening reception for Her-Steria, at the Next Gallery at Metropolitan College, 75 Varick Street. Prior to this exhibit I didn't know there was a Metropolitan College, let alone a Next Gallery, and on Varick Street in this unnamed neighborhood, of all places, but, as you all know, there are many things I don't know. My friend, Barbara Lubliner, the gifted sculptor, and feminist with a sense of humor, had some work in the show and also did a performance piece wearing a slinky red dress with sculpted breasts strapped to her biceps.

But before all that, I walked down Varick to the gallery because I needed a photowalk. This is Varick Street looking south from King Street. Doesn't look very promising, does it?

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Downtown, Varick Street at Houston Street

Mary Sargent © 2008 …………………………………….. click to enlarge

Sorry I'm so late. I shot this today in a whole new neighborhood which unfortunately doesn't seem to have a name. This is the neighborhood west of SoHo between the West Village and Tribeca. If anyone knows its name, let me know.

This photo is shot from the subway stop at Houston Street and that's the great Film Forum down the street. Tonight they're showing Contempt, Last Year at Marienbad and Blind Mountain. But that's not where I'm going. I'm going to – oh, I'm too sleepy to go on. I'll explain everything tomorrow.

Tribeca, Varick Street Between Laight and Beach

Mary Sargent © 2006

Last Wednesday after work, I headed downtown to have dinner at Capsuto Freres, a beautiful, comfortable French restaurant on the northwest edge of Tribeca. Luckily, I was able to get there early and walked some new streets and grabbed a few shots. To start our tour, what else in the glow of a late afternoon sun, but the Verizon building?