During a brief visit in New York, I saw the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center “under construction.” I have always wondered how they do this. They actually build a massive scaffolding and there are dozens of workers on it.

But no trip to New York is complete without a walk in Central Park. I didn’t have much time during the day, but I did a walk at night. Here is a view looking south from within the park.

On my way downtown I emerged from the subway and had this iconic view of the World Trade Center, the tallest building in the United States. The antenna alone is 408 feet (135 meters) tall.

But what I really went downtown for is a visit to The Strand bookstore on Broadway and 12th Street.

I was there on Friday around 1:00 pm. It was packed with people. Books are not dead yet. The art section alone on the second floor is larger than the entire Barnes and Noble store back home in Escondido.

It has become a must for me to visit whenever I go to New York.