A few years back my brother moved moved to New York and my father suggested we all take a trip out to the city. Reluctant at first, I felt it was my duty as an American to see this place that appears in every TV show and movie.
Of course, I am always looking for interesting roadside attractions to see. When I found out I was going to New York, I decided my goal would be to track down a legendary folk hero and attraction: The Legendary Naked Cowboy. A man who has made a legend of himself by playing guitar in his underwear in the middle of Time Square. Essentially the world's most famous street performer.
Stepping into Time Square for the first time was practically a religious experience. The place was loud, ridiculous, tacky and overstimulating. My idea of heaven.
The streets were crawling with street performers. From your traditional silver men......
To the more rare Gold Man....
Then there was an army of unlicensed characters posing for pictures in exchange for cash.....
And a surprisingly large amount of people openly begging for drug money.......
And I must say, when it comes to religious fanatics, the Bible Belt has NOTHING on time Square.
Anyone want to explain to me what that guy is talking about?
These guys are Black Hebrew Israelites, who believe that blacks are the true Jewish people and that the people are traditional regarded as Jewish are imposters.
I weaved through these magical characters, with my father and brothers desperately trying not to loose me. I was hoping with my all my might to find the legendary Naked Cowboy, but I was coming up empty handed. I did mange to locate a naked Indian.
And then we stumbled upon this....
It was a Naked Cowgirl, so maybe we were getting warmer.
Meet Sandy Kane, the Naked Cowgirl. She is actually a nemesis to the Naked Cowboy who sued her for copyright infringement. He also opposes her crass and non-family friendly nature. When a guy who dances in his underwear for money thinks you are not family friendly, you are hardcore. Of course that didn't stop me and Little Satan from having our picture taken with her.
She appeared to be fascinated with Little Satan, and used some disturbing language (that I will not repeat) to describe him.
I promise that will be the last photo of Sandy Kane.
I had admit defeat and reluctantly leave time square. After sterilizing Little Satan, we headed off to see some of the other famous sites in New York.
Such as the World Famous "People with AIDS Plaza"
The Stone Head from "Night at the Museum" that says "Give me gum gum, dumb dumb"......
And the statue of Balto the Wonder Dog.....
Of course I proved my dedication to being a tourist by having my picture taken riding Balto......
And of course what would a trip to the Big Apple be without seeing the Wall Street Bull.....
If you take notice, there are actually two lines the form at the Bull for tourist photo ops. One at the head of the Bull, and the other, longer line at the rear of the Bull....
Apparently it is some sort of New York right of passage to have your photo taken touching the Bull's testicles.....
It turns out that I loved New York. As much as I was dedicated to documenting and appreciating the South, New York is a great place for a man such as me who requires non-stop stimulation and excitement.
After our week long trip, we took one last quite walk through the night streets of Time Square, and who should appear.......
The Naked Cowboy! Putting his hands all over female tourists. Finally, my New York trip was complete.
As a side note, I later found out that this was not the original Naked Cowboy, but a Franchisee. Apparently, the original Naked Cowboy was in such demand that he actually became a personal Franchise and has allowed other Cowboys and Cowgirls to pay for the right to take up his mantel and perform in his stead.
With all this excitement there was only thing left in New York to do. One thing I always wanted to try. Before our plane left we headed to the top of the Empire state building.
Look out below!
Disclaimer: New York was not harmed in the making of this blog.
The Carpetbagger
Please feel free to email me at jacobthecarpetbagger@gmail.com
And don't forget to check out my Flickr Photostream and my Youtube Page. You can also follow me on instagram.
