See that picture? It really belongs with the Vancouver post from last week’s ABC Wednesday, doesn’t it? Because what you can see on the grass by the shore is an inunnguaq. You see them all over the place in Canada – they’re part of Inuit tradition, and seem to mean something like ‘spirit of man’ or ‘person substitute’. They were used as waymarkers, and these days they’re used as decorative objects and a symbol of the culture that inspired them. I bought a few pairs of inunnguaq earrings while I was there – my favourite are made from pierced ovals of copper.
Many people just call these mannequin-shaped cairns ‘inuksuk‘ or ‘inukshuk‘ – but apparently that covers all types of Inuit cairn, and not all of them are people-shaped, and inunnguaq are people-shaped. There. They told me travel would broaden my mind!
Apart from inunnguaq, I didn’t see much else beginning with the letter ‘I‘ in Vancouver, so I’m taking you off to New York city, where we took a short break in October of 2007. Before we start, let me apologise for the quality of this week’s snaps. All of the New York pictures were taken with my phone, because I didn’t take a camera.
We stayed in a really nice little hotel called The Iroquois. Nothing much to look at from the outside, as you can tell by this fuzzy dusk shot of the frontage.
Inside, it was a different story. It was about as far from a Travelodge as it’s possible to get, outside the Dorchesters and Claridges of this world. Peaceful, quiet, good service, beautiful rooms. Aaah … it was lovely.  It’s the one with the flags on the left, just near that white truck.
Just outside the hotel, the road was … interesting. Not to say intriguing!
I have no idea what all these flourescent orange markings mean, but I couldn’t resist a snapshot!
Now, because we weren’t going to be there very long, we took a bus tour to see the sights. Naturally, after a while, it poured with rain. It rained so hard we cut the tour short, but not before we’d seen the Flat Iron Building! It’s a bit of a cheat that, but it does have ‘Iron‘ in the title!
And of course, we came across plenty of intersections!
Another thing we had to do was visit Grand Central Station, which I’d been told was quite something. And it was. The point of interest for this post, though, was how you could get information. From the departure/arrival boards
And from the rather grand information kiosk, surmounted by a wonderful golden clock! This is where you can make an inquiry of a real person to get your answers.
I don’t think I have much more to add, except to say that in New York there are some incredible buildings hidden away down side streets. Take a look at this -
Imposing, isn’t it?
Even if it does look as if the architect was inspired by a galleon!
What a great, fun and informative post for “I” day!! Interesting just how many words one can come up with on any given ABC day! Your photos are terrific! What a fun trip!
Enjoy your day!
Sylvia
Sylvia Kirkwood´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday — I!
Wonderful!
Great blog, – lots of things I didn’t know, and your camera takes fine pictures…
Lots of things here I didn’t know, – and your camera takes fine picture. Great post.
Hildred and Charles´s last blog ..
The innunguaq are quite unique and intriguing, and new to me.
Interesting post!
Janie of Utah´s last blog ..Irrigation Installation
Excellent I and eye.
Tumblewords´s last blog ..I for ABC Wednesday
Interesting post! I’ve learned a few things, which is always nice. The fluorescent markings surrounding the manhole cover are alien signs. That is how they let the other aliens know where they can land. I’ve seen Data use them a couple of times
brinkbeestinenglish´s last blog ..Horse driving trials, the marathon
From Vancouver to New York all led by inunnguaqs – not bad!!
RuneE´s last blog ..I is for an Inarguably Incapacitated and Inadequate Boat
Your pictures always make me feel I’m there. A wonderful departure right now. I’ve been fall down sick for 3 weeks praying to recover..sandy
sandy´s last blog ..And the winner of the corn eating contest is …….
Oh my gosh! I love, love, love these pictures. SO cool! Intriguing : )
Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..Irresistible Sophia
Some great pictures there. Or should that be Incredible?
Anthony North´s last blog ..MORE CHANGES
Nice! I love to look at photos of new places. Thanks for the tour!
Would have grabbed those earrings in a heartbeat, Jay! They’re beautiful! And you’re absolutely right about the architecture! Most structures have the most breathtaking embellishments since Manhattan was influenced by the European! And as much as I thought I knew about Manhattan, I knew very little after I’d taken the tour bus. Am so sorry it was on a rainy day for you! That pic with the graffiti looked like an alien had visited. Then in Mahattan, one never knows!
Have a wonderful day, Jay!
)
I especially like the Inuit words, though the NYC pics were great. I see those orange markings all the time and I STILL don’t know exactly what they mean.
The past week we saw a great deal of the USA and especially New York. It was 400 years ago that a Dutch ship with the English captain Henry Hudson landed in Manhatten. The Dutch bought Manhatten from the Indians, but this was a misunderstanding, because the Indians didn’t possess the country, they believe that nobody does. They lent the country to the Dutch. Anyway the relationship between America and the Netherlands has lasted for 400 years and this was celebrated in New York in the presence of our Crownprince Willem Alexander and his wife Maxima.
Reader Wil´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday I for ILLEGAL
Fantastic I!
I would love to spend a month in New York City just taking photographs. A wonderful city!
Sherry
Sherry´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday
Sylvia – Thanks! It’s usually quite easy to find words, at times I have trouble editing some out!
Sistertex and Hildred and Charles – Thank you! The camera is pretty good for a phone, I guess!
Janie of Utah – Not many Inuit people down your way, I imagine!
Tumblewords and RuneE – Thanks!
Brinkbeestinenglish – Aaah, so that’s it! I hadn’t realised Data had snuck into my suitcase with his Magic Marker! LOL!
Sandy – I’m glad I made you smile! So sorry that you are still not well. Hugs to you!
Life with Kaishon, Anthony North, and Honey Mommy – Thank you all for your kind words!
Petra Michelle – That would explain it! I’ve just learned that the Dutch colonised Manhatten, too, so many of the older buildings probably have a Dutch influence. They didn’t build such grand stone houses in the fens, though!
Roger Green – Haha! Well, if a native doesn’t know, what chance do I have? LOL!
Reader Wil – Thanks for that information! That explains the European influence, doesn’t it? I’ve always thought it was odd that since the Native Americans don’t believe in land ownership, they would have sold it!
Sherry – Thanks! I had a lot of fun taking pictures!
Both of those destinations are high on my travel plans. Love the building with the wobbly windows in New York and they’re fixing our road at the moment, there’s loads of weird heiroglyphics all over it! I have no idea what they mean either.
Baino´s last blog ..I Hope He Had the Time of Is Life
Love the earrings and, of course, love NYC. I haven’t visited Vancouver but would like to soon. I think those are pretty good pictures to have come from a phone. Great uses of ‘I’.
Judi´s last blog ..A B C Wednesday Round 5
Jay – Of course you know I LOVE the NYC pics!
You’re right about NYC having some amazing architecture, and how nice of you to shoot Grand Central, my absolute favorite building in the city. And, as I lived in Westchester County after I got married to Mrs. N., you even captured my Metro North train line, the Harlem line, and at the top of the board was the train I took. (The one with the final destination of North White Plains, which was the terminus for that train. My stop was one before it, Hartsdale.)
Ah, memories…
Mr. Nighttime´s last blog ..Because I was there.
As always, a very creative post, Jay! Love the earrings, and I appreciate all the information about the Inuits. Not only does travel broaden your mind, but so does blogging! Your phone takes great photos.
Rose´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday: Bugs and Blooms
I’m sorry, I left my “I” comment in the wrong place. It’s over by yesterdays!
Oops!
Lily´s last blog ..traffic
very interesting indeed
magiceye´s last blog ..Thursday Challenge – fresh
so many memories from only a few weeks ago …. you photos are nearly identical to mine …. missing the place already …..
You always get so much information into your posts – thank you.
I adore those ear-rings!
Dragonstar´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – I.
I covet those earrings! Creative and imaginative post. Thanks for visiting my ABC Wednesday blog!
Kate´s last blog ..Mystery Motion
I built one of those when we were in canada!
liz´s last blog ..So I’m wondering …
Fabulous shots – you took us on a wonderful trip. Thank you!
jabblog´s last blog ..Rockets and explosions
Interesting……I wound have never known about Inunnguaq until today.
Jama´s last blog ..Domesticated Animals
What an interesting post, and the building in the last shot is imposing. Curved windows too!
The photos are very good for a mobile phone!
babs – beetle´s last blog ..Why won’t they TALK to me?
Baino – Will you get to either of them, do you think?
Yes, we have heiroglyphics on our roads as well, but just not so many all in one place, and definitely not so colourful!
Judi – Thank you! Yes, not bad for a phone, are they? It actually has the same camera unit in it as our very first digital camera!
Mr N – I thought you’d like that! I had no idea I’d be including the right destination board for you though! What a coincidence!
Rose – Thank you!
Yes, you’re right. Blogging also broadens the mind!
Lily – No worries, I’ve done that, too! Not easy to move, sadly, but thanks for visiting!
Magiceye, Dragonstar and Kate – Thank you!
Moon – Moon! How nice to see you! Are you back? Did you get your visa? I hope so! I’ll pop over later and see.
Liz – Wow – did you really? A full sized one? Or a miniature? I’d love to see pictures. Perhaps you should blog about it!
Jabblog and Jama – Thanks!
Babs – It is, isn’t it? I was most impressed by those curved windows! Thanks!
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you: the orange marks by the manhole cover? Those are most likely from Con Edison, the local power company. They are more than likely going to do some digging, so a crew comes in and marks off the placement of where critical utility and sewer lines are prior to the digging crew coming in.
Mr. Nighttime´s last blog ..Because I was there.
I want a set of those earrings! I do love a wander through your “ABC’s”, you always take us on a fascinating journey.
shrinky´s last blog ..Key to the Door
I was rolling while I read your comment on “The Aclinic Line”. Actually, The Aclinic Line – somewhat like the equator.
But what was hysterical was your comment on not picturing hubba hubba nude. No nude centerfolds in any of his calendars, I’m presuming!
)
Another tribute is up for those who have passed, if you’re interested!
I’m not sure if it’s your holiday, but I’ll wish it anyway. Peace would apply to anyone! Happy Rosh Hashana!
petra michelle´s last blog ..They Had The Time of Their Lives!
“Inventive” as always. LOVE “imposing!” And it certainly is; architecture is my first love, and your attention to detail in your shots is “Incredible!”
ethelmaepotter´s last blog ..Time for a Celebration