Photo Journal: Sleepless in New York City
On 10/01/10, I lugged my lineman-sized suitcase off the HK airport carousel, took a long nervous glance around at the blur of strangers around me and tentatively planted my flag into what I was to call home for an undefined period of time.
Over the next few years, I experienced life in my new fast-paced surroundings as an outsider in search of stable ground. And while the sights, tastes and smells were all so new, they were all so wondrous (except the time I found an Asian cockroach as big as a underfed rat in my bed). And one by one, they were taken in to form the foundation of my new home. Apart from that blood-curdling scream-worthy moment, I loved, and still love, every second of my detour from the world city that never sleeps.
This October I marked my third year abroad, not by exploring HK or another foreign country, but rather by recharging from my home base in New York City. Between my father’s 80th birthday, a friend’s 30th, another’s bridal shower, photo shoots with www.astuteattire.com, concerts, dinners, catch ups and nights out I hardly had any time to sleep during my one-week stay.
Having been away so long, I set out to re-ground, re-explore and re-document my home city once more. As a native New Yorker that hustled along for the past two decades, I realized that I never made the time to truly soak in and appreciate the city’s living and breathing nature. The blend of Gothic, Art Deco and modern architecture, the brownstones and townhouses that dutifully lined residential streets and the bright twinkling lights that (almost) always graces the inimitable skyline; I took it all in with renewed energy.
With an older wiser mind and eye, it was my sleepless mission to capture the concrete jungle’s streets and scenes I had for so long overlooked. I was a tourist in my own city but I never felt more at home.
Hotel:
Dream Downtown
355 West 16th St
New York, NY 10011 US
+1 646 625 4847
veronica
great photos!! thanks for coming by.. I am loving the mischa bag:D
have a great day!
xx
vnikali.com
elleyess
Thanks V! I <3 your blog :)
ikwon81
What does the H stand for???
elleyess
Hi Eddie, good eye! The “H” stands for 慧之, my Chinese name.
Paul Grout
Hey these I great photos which really express the emotion of the scene. Very imaginative. I love taking photos myself, although I am not as professional as you are. However, I have enjoyed creating videos with images I have collected during my travels within beautiful countrysides and developed soft piano music to accompany the images. You maybe interested to see how I have done this on my website. Keep up the good work :)
waytogograce517
Beautiful photos! I loved your editing choices.
Michaela Cristallo
Wow I love this! Your photos are amazing, I love the way you’ve edited them with colour as well. I visited New York for the first time in May this year, I loved every second of it. These photos bring back some great memories for me :)
The Seoul Girl
i’m overdue for a new york trip
elleyess
No time like the present, SG!
Julie
Wow! I have no words to describe the beauty of your journalistic photography. I just returned from NYC a few days ago and the essence of the city you caught in your photography brought me right back. Great Post!
katelindsaylifecoaching
Wow!!! NYC has been on my list of dreamy places to see for years. You have such a great eye and a beautiful photographic skill. I can’t wait to see your city.
Michael Knouse
These are stunning photos! They capture so much character and detail of NYC. I love how you sought out exploring your home city with new eyes. Very inspiring indeed!
Lisa Friedt
This blog came at such beautiful timing. I have never been to NYC. But my niece, sister in law and mom just returned a few days ago. And I was able to see NYC through their eyes and now yours. Thank you for sharing its beauty from you perspective. Xo.
Jesicka Labud
Beautiful, beautiful…. you really make me see NYC with new eyes, and it’s my hometown so that’s saying alot. LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! Great photos girl, and you look amazing. Lov u!!!! Keep up the great work.
Steve @ Backpacker Report
great photos! really makes me miss home… and when did you start this modelling career?
elleyess
makes me miss home too! no modeling career; just a blog collaboration with a stylish friend :)
Cynthia
Beautiful pics, loved them thank you for sharing them with me! xx Cyn from Vita Fede
elleyess
Thank you Cynthia! VF keeps me company on all my trips :)