Richard writes:

Sunday we took a stroll, several blocks to Rockefeller Center, and bumped into a street fair that ran the length of the Avenue of the Americas. (6th Avenue)

There was music all along the way. Indian music, then Egyptian bellydancing, then Mariachi blending into reggae as we made our way up the avenue. Very colorful and festive.

We tried some shaved ice with fresh fruit topping and that was really refreshing in the 95 degree heat.

We got a few pieces of something that looked like malasadas, in size, shape and smell, dusted with confectioner’s sugar. They gave it to us in a brown paper sack with powdered sugar in the bottom. It was tasty–crispy on the outside like andagi but more sticky and stretchy.

Avenue of the Americas is named after the Central/South American influence in NYC. But the name is too long and people still call it 6th Avenue. It’s got the sights, smells and sounds of the Americas. Much off-the-grill meats and chicken on sticks. And not only the Latin American influence; we saw Egyptian bellydancers with supporters in the crowd clapping, laughing and speaking in the language. Further up the avenue we saw several booths selling banana, strawberry, chocolate, mushroom and salsa crepes. All kinds of combinations of crepes. Some you think: why not?

We were heading for Rockefeller Center. Will send more snippets as we go along.