Walking In NYC - Street Vendors

Handmade Jewelry

Last night during my walk I took some pictures of the various street vendors peddling their wares along the way.  You might be surprised by all the crap stuff you can buy on the busy streets of Manhattan.

"How To Roll A Blunt For Dummies". The author was autographing the copies he sold.

Fresh Fruit

Sunglasses

$6.00 Shirts

This truck seemed to sell every food under the sun - all of it "Halal" (permissible under Islamic Law).

This guy (in front of the Port Authority Bus Terminal) was "Nuts 4 Nuts".  It just so happens that a lot of other men loitering outside the Port Authority are "Nuts 4 Nuts" also.  And they too charge a fee for their nuts - which are NOT honey-roasted.  As a rule.

I also passed a woman selling churros (kind of a long Latin American doughnut), as well as people selling children's books, $5.00 "Pashmina" scarves, Zodiac wall plaques, and items used for smoking (but not tobacco).  The last guy (Mr. Smokey) DEFINITELY didn't want me taking his picture...

The Christmas Tree People

When I lived in Pennsylvania, we got our Christmas tree from my Dad's friend "Doodle". I'm not sure what Doodle's real name was, but he was the go-to guy for Christmas trees in my hometown - selling them in a drug-store parking lot.

Here in Manhattan, the drug stores don't have parking lots - but we do have sidewalks. And sidewalks are where we buy our Christmas trees here in the city.

Beginning in November, these Christmas tree vendors start springing up in residential neighborhoods. The one pictured here is located on 8th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets - and it's been in the same place for years. And yes, that is one of the sellers in the hooded coat - underneath the makeshift awning.

One of the interesting things about these vendors is the fact that they LIVE on the streets during the holiday season. They normally park a mini-van on the street - and take turns keeping warm and sleeping inside. They often also build little "shelters" (like the one above) - which they attach to their minivans.

Here is what the encampment in the picture above looks like from the street...

Hell, that's more square footage than many Manhattan apartments! However, I have no idea when/where/how they go to the bathroom or take a shower - and it's probably better that I don't know. I also don't know what these people do during the other 11 months of the year.

I want to know who in my neighborhood has an apartment big enough for these HUGE trees? Whoever these people are, I want to be invited to their Christmas party...

Finally, one of the traditions of the Christmas Tree Stands is a big, inflatable Santa Claus (or Elf). Don't ask me why ... I don't make the rules, it's just the way it is.

Where do YOU get your tree?