The two iconic lions that stand guard outside the New York Public Library were nicknamed Patience and Fortitude by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. I’ve never known which was which. This one might be Patience because he’s putting up with an enormous wreath that is not only too big for him, but is an affront to his dignity. iPhone photo.
The San Gennaro Festa was hugely disappointing and hardly Italian any more, arepas being more abundant than zeppole. But I love an Italian marching band. This gentleman from Hoboken has played in the Red Mike Festival Band for 40 years and is the oldest musician in the group.
How well do you know New York? The first St. Patrick’s Cathedral isn’t the one on Fifth Avenue, it’s St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. Not many Italians live in the neighborhood now, but they return for weddings. Once I managed to get these guys to stop mugging and flashing gang signs at me, I was able to get some photographs.