I had to drop by a client this afternoon at 45th & 5th. I took the E train to 53rd and walked down. Still tons of tourists, the windows and the churches. But all the shops were closed. Instead of the normal shopping experience I witnessed instead the "other" 5th Avenue shopping experience - hustlers and bootleggers galore.

It was the first time I've seen the folks set up for the three card monte hustle in NYC, which was a bit surprising to me. Even more worrisome was one group of three card monte guys had collected a bit of a crowd. I really hope no one fell for that.