08-21-2010, 06:19 AM
Regarding danger in the city, I too have seen the dismantled cars on the Cross Bronx Expressway. But I have parked on the streets many times with never a problem. And I have never had an encounter with anyone either. Several years ago I had to go into the city to the Brazilian embassy to get a visa. While I waited, several Brazilians told me to be careful in Rio, it was very dangerous for visitors. Enough that I got concerned. I asked the cab driver who picked me up at the airport to take me to my hotel about it. He had been to NYC. He told me it wasn't much different than Central Park. Use common sense. Don't wear expensive jewelry, and avoid the quiet areas at night. Walking the streets of NYC is a real trip, people watching is one of my wife's and my favorite things, and there is no where better to do so than Manhattan!