Friday, October 23, 2009

Sad Panda Sighting in Lower Manhattan

I saw someone in a panda costume last week, walking along a street in Lower Manhattan. Notice the pretty pink bag he was carrying. Of course I had to take a photo for Beverly's "Pink Saturday" blog event, and also because, let's face it, both pandas and the color pink are rather rare sights in New York City!

It appears that this same panda has been spotted in NYC since January, 2009, and has become somewhat of "cause célèbre" in The Gothamist, New York's most popular blog, and various other blogs. They've nicknamed him "Sad Panda." If you click on the Gothamist link you can see more photos of him (or her).

There is even a Youtube of Sad Panda riding the subway! The quality of the video is a little shaky, but I thought it was worth seeing as a humorous "only in New York" moment:





Most bloggers have come to the conclusion that Sad Panda is hoping to collect some tips in exchange for taking a photo of him, or posing with him. Next time I see him I'll make sure I do just that. I'd like Sad Panda to become Happy Panda, and maybe even find a better job someday!


Please visit Beverly at How Sweet The Sound today to see links to many wonderful blogs participating in her weekly "Pink Saturday" event! Thanks Beverly!

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37 comments:

Michelle said...

I wish I had my camera ready for moments like seeing a big panda on the street, but I just don't think of it until I need it.

Loved the video!

RNSANE said...

I guess one needs to have a camera at the ready all the time to record special moments. Glad you were able to capture NY's panda. Perhaps this one was on his/her way to panda therapy to improve his/her disposition.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Neat, Pat! I love Sad Panda, too!

Happy Pink Saturday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Willow said...

Only in New York!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Only YOU could find a panda with a pink purse!! :-)

Hope all is well. What happened to the sunny, happy weather here?!

xo, Laura

Anonymous said...

Only in NYC could you see someone in a Panda suit carring a pink bag!! OMGoodness..... Maybe he/she was sad because the Yankees have to play another game???? If they win tonight that will put a smile on his/her face!! I know it will mine!! LOL!!
Love Ya,
Marilyn

Beverly said...

Sad Panda really makes you think, doesn't it? I wonder if Sad Panda is a he or a she. Should we dare to guess a she because of the pink bag?

Happy Pink Saturday, Pat.

Carol Murdock said...

Ahwwwww it really does look sad! I love Panda's! :0)

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

How curious. I must say I would much rather "tip" him as give money to someone who is just saying "give me money".

I always find it interesting when there is "panda in the room", or subway, or wherever and most people just act like it isn't there.

dana said...

You certainly captured a great Pink Sat shot, Pat!!!

Now that Sad Panda is certainly an enterprising little rascal. . . putting tips in that Pink Bag in exchange for a photo! It's better than standing at an intersection with a sad face and a dirty sign that says "need money for food" while smoking a cig! At least the Panda is cute!

Thanks for asking about my Grand Boy. He's doing OK, but now they think he's may have a milk allergy. He's thriving, but very fussy.....but so was his big sister when she was 3 mo. old! :) I hope it's colic. He's a real cutie.

Happy Pink Saturday!

L, Dana

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

Love it. I did know pandas carried a purse and a pink purse at that! Too much fun!

Jenny said...

Maybe panda is sad becasue the pink brownstone is for sale and worried that it will be made into an .... ummmm..... brown brownstone. That would just be wrong, dontcha think? Cute blog Pat!

Nancy said...

That is such a creative way to "work" when jobs are so difficult to find. We are two professionals, one working, sitting in miserable Vermont racking our brains for an employed escape back south of the mason dixon line!

I'm going to remember him/her as "Hopeful Panda!" because it gives me hope and that gives me happiness.

Happy Pink Saturday!

Sue said...

Sad Panda is cool. But don't you think he/she gets hot inside that costume? Guess it has to carry a bag since there are no pockets in its costume! tee hee Maybe it IS a girl...
hugs, Sue

Mary Bergfeld said...

It will be interesting to see if sad panda continues to makes his rounds in extreme weather. This was a really fun post. Thanks for putting it together for us to enjoy. I hope you're having a wonderful Pink Saturday.

GailO said...

Here is a good example of why you should ALWAYS carry your camera! Very funny...and only in NY!

Claudia said...

I'll have to keep my eye open for Sad Panda next time I'm in town! Happy Pink Saturday!

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

I'll bet he's a she...thus the pink bag. I wonder what is in it. Maybe sad panda is really happy after all of those tips! :0)

Grace said...

Thank you for visiting my blog fellow New Yorker! I definately have you in my favorites now. I love Sad Panda..I carry my camera all the time oh and the charger too..we live in NY you never know! lol Happy Pink Saturday! Grace

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

I love Sad Panda and NYC!! My mom is a Brooklyn girl from Flatbush. Thanks for visiting my blog, Happy P.S.

sherri@lavenderfields said...

Love the Pink bag. Have a great weekend and Happy Pink saturday: )

Regina said...

How cure:).Thanks for sharing.
Happy PS and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Regina said...

How cute:).Thanks for sharing.
Happy PS and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

My name is Riet said...

How special you got to photograph the sad panda. I like to have my little camera in my purse for special occasions too. Happy pink Saturday

CatHerder said...

omg that is SO FUNNY..i carry my camera with me at all times in case i see something worthy, like that lol!

happyone said...

Like you said Only in New York.
Cute pink bag!

Lorrie said...

Very interesting Pat--I wonder who Sad Panda really is and why he or she is making the rounds of NYC. Maybe someday you'll find out and tell us more. Good for you for having your camera at the ready!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Excellent pink Saturday post, Pat! Next time I am in New York I will have to keep my eyes open for the Sad Panda. Now I am going back to view the video. Hope you are enjoying your weekend...good night to watch the Yankees!
♥, Susan

GwendolynKay said...

Oh that is a sad story of the sad panda. At least he has that cute little pink bag...
Happy Pinkness!
Gwen

Carly said...

interesting story and a great picture

Anonymous said...

oh la Pat what a fun sight. Well done for being on the ball and getting a photo.

Unknown said...

Very interesting Pat...I didn't see the panda on either of my trips to NYC.

Makes you wonder if there is much money in this!

:) Diane

GMG said...

Hi Pat! Just a short visit to drop by and enjoy this amazing post! Great shots!!

Blogtrotter is now at Santa’s Homeland, an anticipated gift before Christmas ;) Enjoy and have a great week!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Hmmmm, a panda with a pink purse. Wonders never cease!

Tracy Watier said...

So is that why the Panda is sad? Because he doesn't have a "real" job? That is sad.
Sorry I missed commenting on the Bowling Green Park and Angels posts. Your posts can be so engrossing I'll get startled by a ringing phone and forget to go back to finish reading and leave a comment. I guess that's why I shouldn't be blogging while I'm supposed to be working!

Char said...

Sad Panda is indeed cute and I have no doubt that the hand is out. I would rather see this Panda than a real one on the street tho. Great story, Happy Pink Saturday, Char

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Great pics! I feel like I was walking around there with you. :-)