Weekly Photo Challenge: Optimistic

Oh, the Places We See — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 15:58:47 +0000

If you’re in retail, you already know that it takes a certain amount of optimism just to stay in the game. But add to that a cold December in New York City, a temporary tent, and goods that only big-city residents (not tourists) would carry home, and you have a renewed appreciation for those who remain optimistic enough to attempt selling goods outdoors in winter.

A rainbow of fresh pasta from this bundled up salesperson.

Anyone want fresh seafood from Long Island?

And someone was optimistic that a dog owner (of a big dog!!!) would want these bones. Ya never know. Put ’em out there. Somebody’ll buy ’em.

And optimism extended all the way to Chinatown. Who wouldn’t want chestnuts just so they can roast them on an open fire?

For more optimistic photos, check out the Weekly Photo Challenge: Optimistic.

And for more on New York City in December, check out our travel series: Christmas Holiday NYC.

Filed under: New York, Photography, Travel, Weekly Photo Challenge Tagged: chestnuts, dog bones, NYC, pasta, seafood, street vendors

Those Beijing hat guys!!

Oh, the Places We See — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 21:06:30 +0000

Who needs entertainment when you’ve got vendors and salespeople all around you? Beijing brought out dozens of hat guys selling collapsible paper hats. Some in rainbow colors. Some plain.

But not all hat guys, you understand, are thrilled to be in pictures.

The guy below, however, was. He could be on late-night TV — animated hijinks, inside/outside hat routine, connections with the crowd.

Five ways, he yelled. Watch this. Five ways! (In English, too!)

First, with this ordinary hat shape — good enough to keep the sun at bay.

Then with one quick flip . . .

. . . a whole new version! Tower look maybe?

We clapped and hollered and shouted, Again!

He smiled. And fidgeted. And then one more!

One dollah, one dollah. Hat. Five ways. One dollah! Five ways!

(He was faster at flip-changing his hat than I was snapping pictures!)

Now, who do you think would ever buy one of these crazy hats?

Well, all I can verify is they don’t travel so well in a packed suitcase! (Who cares? Well worth one dollah!)

To read more of our encounters in China, go to the top of this page and click China in the green bar! Thanks for reading!

Filed under: Travel Tagged: Beijing, China, hats, street vendors

street vendors – Oh, the Places We See . . .

Weekly Photo Challenge: Optimistic

Those Beijing hat guys!!