Perhaps the single most interesting part of the walk was midway up Wooster Street, strolling past all the galleries in Soho, when I suddenly realized it had grown startlingly quiet. No traffic roared down the narrow cobblestone street and the only other pedestrians wandering the sidewalks did so quietly and in their own personal rhythm. For that brief moment, there in the middle of Manhatten, the big city actually seemed quaint and peaceful.

Which is exactly when I looked over my shoulder for the mugger sneaking up behind me.

Of course, there was none. But a much worse crime is commited everyday in this bustling metropolis. A bit further downtown, along Canal Street, the sidewalks are lined with foreign-run carts and small shops, all crammed full with counterfeit merchandise. From Rolex watches to Fendi handbags to Mont Blanc pens, anything you desire can be purchased for a slim five dollar bill.

I'm sure something about this counterfeit merchandise must be illegal, but it's so widespread and rampant that clearly no one is even remotely interested in enforcing any copyright laws. Which is fine by me. One fellow up here from Texas bought himself a pocketful of Mont Blanc pens a few days ago for just a handful of dollars. They look just like the real thing only they weigh and feel like writing with a Bic.

It's a wild and crazy place, this big city. I'll be glad to be home for the weekend, nonetheless.