DISCLAIMER: This Blog Post contains a picture that some might think of as offensive (I think it is hilarious), if you have a problem with this, you might be better off looking at something else . Don’t email me to complain, don’t visit my blog anymore because I might post things like this again and for sure do not let your kids look at this !
A lot of times I get asked what inspires me. And one of my key answers is always “a stroll through the hood”. It might be street art, it might be thoughts or feelings connected with certain sights, it might be stuff I find to buy…in one way or the other you might find the photos, the thoughts, the feelings, the colors or anything from those strolls in my art journal, a mixed media project or a scrapbooking layout.
I would love to show you once a month what inspired me while strolling through my neighborhood. I hope you like the little insights into my daily life where I live (this is the first one from my new home in Jersey City, NJ). This is also a wonderful way for me to remind myself on the inspiring things in the hood. Maybe you get inspired by those posts and even invite ME to a stroll in YOUR hood – feel free to grab the logo and leave a comment for me on the post and share!
Jersey City is oozing with creativity and it really makes me happy to wander around here. I wasn’t even surprised when I read that it shows in a 2011 survey of census data Jersey City to have one the nation’s highest percentages of residents who work as artists. And now there is one more ;)
And it is a 20 min Path-Ride away from Manhattan – I mean seriously- I met my wonderful friend Julie at MoMA and from door to door it took me 45 mins with walking between stations and getting lost and buying a Metro Card…not too shabby, eh? Next time I make it in 35…I hope – hehehe
There are farmers markets almost every day in close walking distance and I love to discover new or fun things. The purple peppers for example- beautiful. Also the New Jersey Tomatoes- all kinds of colors and forms and boy are those yummie!
Also very interesting business models around here- LOL- I am not sure if that store would work in Germany-but hey- I love the set up and think it is also very inspirational with the green and yellow, the circles and the stenciled title :)
Advertising at it’s best…LOL- love this – I was cracking up!
I also love all the black iron cast railings in front of the brownstones here- so beautiful and so detailed too.
About a 20 minute walk from here starts the Liberty State Park – I love this place! It starts with this Marina and this view of Jersey City Down Town and Manhattan.
Also in the Park is the official New Jersey 9/11 Monument called “Empty Sky” . It’s short illusion of the twin towers still existing is very emotional and touching.
While walking further along the Park, my husband and I started talking about our container and when it should come in, we knew it should be in around that day and go to somewhere in Newark Harbor. So we checked on the vessel’s tracking and I kid you not – my husband yelled “It just passed under the George Washington Bridge three minutes ago”…and we were staring right at the bridge at that very moment. So we started running like idiots until we saw the ship coming out again behind the Statue of Liberty – you cannot really see it on the photo – as a cell phone camera can only do that much – but YES it was it. It was quite funny. So the container is in…now it is up to customs on how long this will take to clear. After we got clarified our ship made it, we were able to look at the main tourist attractions again ;)
Jersey City Skyline to the left, Manhattan in the middle and to the right. Amazing to see these buildings all together.
I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to photograph the Freedom Tower through a field of sunflowers. The one leave drives me nuts though- hahahha- but I couldn’t get it over me to take it off (read – I am wayyyyy to short to even reach it ;) ).
I hope you enjoyed the first stroll through my hood here in J.C. and I for sure will keep them coming ;)
have a beautiful day!
nat
Comments (24)
Liz
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I had really been looking forward to your first stroll through your new “hood”. I love the views of the amazing skylines! Glad your container arrived safely- hope you get it back soon.
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Petrin
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Delighted with your first stroll!…The thing i like the most, is that you look for details! that’s me, because large things take care for themselves, not the small ones…i liked every photo, in special the iron gate!… and also the sunflowers – waiting for a canvas showing them! in special, the one leave.. I see you are enjoying as your wait for your stuff, – very particular the moment when you saw the ship!…The best for you both…an continue strolling!
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Karen Mathews
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My dream place to live!!! Great photos.
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Rob Keogh
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Great photos Nat, enjoy your new neighborhood.
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Jackie
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I enjoyed the stroll- and laughed with your excitement over your container coming in! The sunflower shot is amazing and would not have paid attention to that leaf,had you not pointed it out! Glad to see you liking your new digs! hugs”)
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lily
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love it!
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Heidi O!
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Welcome to thr USA! Your stroll through the hood was great – Thanks.
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Denise
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Love this stroll, such a beautiful day and fun things to see. I have a great silly smile on my face. I hope you get your stuff soon and customs is fast
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LaurieJay
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Gorgeous pix. I just came home from NY yesterday. So close to you – I was in the Village for a week.
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Michelle Guesy
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It sounds like you are happy!
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Cheryl Boglioli
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Love reading all your observations and love the photos. So glad you are settling in and hope you get all your stuff soon!
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Madeline Rains
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I so enjoyed this! Fall light! NYC and NJ! All good in that neighborhood. I love the hair dresser ad. : )
When I lived in NY in the 80s many of my actor friends lived in Jersey City but only because that was all they could afford. It was very dangerous back then, though even then filled with artists. It has come so far!
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Amy Riley
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How fun to see your new hood. I live in Ohio but just returned from a trip to New Jersey. The lovely beach area of Sandy Hook / Highlands is just a ferry ride away from Manhattan. It was wonderful to be on a beach with crashing waves and seeing the NYC skyline in the distance. I highly recommend it!
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Kathy P
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Just have to thank you, Nat, for starting this day off on a beautiful note for me!!! You truly have a photographer’s eye, and I loved seeing your photos. Great capture of street art, architecture, and the beauty that is NYC and environs! And the clouds…..fabulous! Come southwest some weekend and explore Philly…..great street art here, too! Thanks for this uplifting post! How anyone could find fault with it is beyond me!
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Lisa Flaherty
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Great photos, and so much cool inspiration within an easy radius! I love the challenge/invitation to find some in my cookie cutter suburban neighborhood. :)
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Sherri
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Welcome to New Jersey -from one “Joisey” girl to another! – lovely stroll – great pics -love your blog and your work!
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Sue Clarke
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Great first stroll through your new hood. Purple peppers have never been seen by me. How crazy that your container should pass right by you. Didn’t realize that you live that close to Julie…creative world watch out!
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julie
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Love it Nat!!! I’ve never seen a purple pepper – how gorgeous! TFS!!! Can’t wait for next month!
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bridget joss
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What a nice neighborhood .Welcome
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Jean A Marmo
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I love your strolls! Hope you get your things soon! How funny to see the boat.
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Thea
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Hey Nathalie,
You know how to make people curious to take a look at your blog. :) Funny to see that there was no picture that could have been offensive. Love to see how you are setteling in in you new country. And what a blessing for you to have a good friend close by. Have fun and a wonderful day. Alway’s looking forward to your blogpost.
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Kirsten Alicia
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Fantastic photos Nat, I love the one of the marina. How funny that you actually saw your container ship arriving, perfect timing! I’m looking forward to more of your ‘stroll through the ‘hood’ photos.
PS If the haircut doesn’t work, do you think you’d get your money back???!!! :-)
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nathalie-kalbach
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LOL- I should ask ;)
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Lisa Flaherty
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Lol, Kristen! Better the refund than the stylist having to make good on the “guarantee”! Haha!
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