(Above: No, that's not Central Park. Click here for more info.)
For the past six years, New Yorkers who have ventured into Central Park at night have often come across an unsettling vision: A pair of large cowboy boots waiting by a park bench, with no owner in sight. Is Central Park haunted by a boot-wearing ghost? A New York Times blogger investigated and discovered that the truth is much, much weirder.
(Thanks for the tip, Kartoffel!)
13 comments:
It would be fun to be the origin of an urban legend. =]
not the post, the explanation! sorry!
well thats boring
I dont beleive it..... why would he leave the boots right next to a park bench, on the path, in plain sight. Cowboy boots are actually shockingly expensive, and no one would leave them right in the open like that, he would at least put them BEHIND the bench of in som trees.
Ah, the awesome of being an accidental legend.
okay i know kirsten probably wont be reading my comments but i lovvveee your blog!!!! its so creative and interesting! i always learn something new to share with my friends! im a huge fan and ive read ALL ur books! (granted theres only three but they are AHMAZING!!!) so i was just wondering...does anyone know when the next kiki strike book will be coming out?? ive been looking all over and i cant seem to find when it is!! thanks sooooo much!!!!!
If I was a Hobo I would take those boots... I'm surprised no one hasn't yet...
hmph. not a ghost? darn!
I liked the legend better that the truth. I like ghost stories.
Yesterday, my skating coach was talking about pulling in your arms to you stomach, "Isn't that called Hary Karry?" she asked. So I told her I'd do some research.
In ancient Japan, when samurai did something to break the laws or conduct (whether it was something that was punishable by death, or something that didn't have a big punishment) it would bring them and their family a great dishonor.
To redeem themselves, they could choose to perform Seppuku, commonly known as Hary Karry of Hara Kiri.
They would use a small sword (about 2 feet long) and stab themselves in the side of the stomach. After that, you had to wait until you bled to death. You weren't allowed to die quicker by stabbing the heart or lungs.
So, yeah. That's my research about suicidal samurai swordsman.
Weird? No. I'd call that creepy. People watching is one of my favorite recreations -- but from a blind? With binoculars? Is he on the watch for young women emerging from hidden tunnel entrances or something?
Robert in San Diego via cell phone.
hrm. what a fascinating story.
On one hand, what's wierd about not wanting to not slip and fall in the dark? On the other hand, why wear the boots on the expeditions at all?
@Ari the Awesome: The person dying couldn't, but they were allowed to have a close friend standing by to behead them. They just had to stab themselves first. (With friends like these...) Although some sources say they had to stab deep into their own side and then drag the blade across (chopping open the intestines and/or stomach, ensuring a mortal wound) before they were allowed to be beheaded.
Cheerful, no?
Oh, and women were also allowed (!) to do it. Which, on one hand, seems interesting that women were considered to have the same kind of honor men had. And yet...
What would the world be without our harmless weirdos?
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