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Travel Blog: Visit to NYC - hot but fun!Published on Jun 12, 2008 by kristin5683 |
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1. Chapter: Watching Sex and the City in New York City |
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I arrived in NYC fifteen minutes late for the 7:50 movie we were supposed to see. But it wouldn't have mattered if I was on time, the 7:50, 8:30 and 9:30 shows of Sex and the City were sold out. So we hung out for a couple of hours, grabbed some food and then headed back for the 11:30pm show. I'm not a huge fan of the TV show, I like it, but I don't think it's incredible. I did enjoy the movie. It was a bit long and a bit predictable but it was laugh out loud funny at times, heart breaking at others and an all around good time. I got a little nauseous at the beginning, but that was because we downed a half pint of Ben & Jerry's each immediately upon arrival. The audience was enthusiastic - gasping, laughing and sighing as one as the action played out on the big screen. We sat in the balcony but the view was still good. It was a great night! Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: theatre cinema movie nyc |
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2. Chapter: Puerto Rican Day Parade |
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Sunday morning was hot and muggy and we were bound to travel from near City College to Brooklyn via Fifth Avenue to visit my friend's boyfriend at work. When we emerged from the subway, we were met by loud cheers and music. Not for our arrival to Fifth Avenue, but for the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. We had somehow managed to forget this fact in planning our day and it took us about 20 minutes to cross the street and walk a short 2 blocks. The atmosphere was happy and excited, despite the heat that was near 90 degrees and still climbing. In response to this, men and women were in various stages of undress, some (generally) men had abandoned shirts all together and others (men and women) were wearing short shorts. Vendors were selling Puerto Rican flags of all sizes, t-shirts, caps, water and other sundry parade day items. The parade itself seemed entertaining enough. There were marching bands, baton twirlers, floats by local radio stations vying for the loudest sound system, area businesses displaying their Puerto Rican pride. If it hadn't been so hot and if we hadn't had other things on our agenda (shopping, food, more shopping), we might have stayed a bit longer. Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: parade fifthavenue nyc |
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3. Chapter: Wandering in Fort Greene |
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Wandering through the affluent neighborhood of Fort Greene, with its legendary architecture and tree lined streets, is a pleasant way to pass a Sunday early afternoon. The only problem was the ridiculous heat of the day - 90 degrees exacerbated by the urban surroundings. We were in search of a place for brunch. There were a number of places we considered, but they were either too full, didn't have quite the right food or not quite the right vibe. We were sure that we had found a perfect one in a little cafe/restaurant hung with flowers and art and even an open table right by the window, but the service was appalling. The restaurant was indeed busy, and while we were seated promptly by the friendly hostess, the server never even made eye contact. At one point she was at the adjacent table, clearing up and she didn't even glance at us. We sat there for 20 minutes without having even a drinks order taken, much less a food order. We got up and left and ended up in a diner about half a block away that drew me in with it's promise of waffles. It was not a bad place necessarily, but a bit charmless and I fear that I disappointed my friend by choosing this restaurant over some of the other more atmospheric places. Ah well. There's not much I won't do for waffles! Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: fortgreene brunch restaurant food nyc brooklyn architecture |
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4. Chapter: Best Flea Market Ever! Brownstoners Brooklyn Flea Market |
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After our late lunch, we headed to Brownstoner's Brooklyn Flea Market. It is a glorious place for those who love bargains, vintage, art, antiques and handicrafts; since my friend and I fell into that category, we loved it. There was so much to look at; the only problem was the heat! It was ridiculous! There were tents housing many of the items, but the shade didn't provide any sort of lasting relief. Despite that, I purchased an reprint of an antique map of England and Ireland and a beautiful silver and abalone shell ring. The prices were decent on most things, and I'm sure that you could bargain, though with the heat, I couldn't be bothered with it. The flea market only occurs on Sundays; I want to go back!!
Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: fleamarket shopping art antiques brooklyn nyc |
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5. Chapter: Grand Central Station photograph exhibit |
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Grand Central Station is incredible! It isn't just a train station, it's architecturally and historically famous. We stopped at Grand Central Station on the way back from Brooklyn. One of the coolest things was the Klapwald photograph exhibit. The exhibit of photographs taken in Grand Central by Boris Y. Klapwald in the early 1950's is located in the Grand Central Terminal Dining Pavilion. The photos are really incredible and evocative. One major downside, I thought, was that the images are near tables that are generally filled with diners. But don't let this put you off. One of my favorites is a picture of two sailors (I think) and a woman leaning over one of the balconies facing the clock in the main terminal. You don't know if they are returning, heading out, or anything about why they're there, but that's what makes them so accessible. You can imagine the backstory for yourself. The images are not currently a permanent exhibit, so check them out now!! Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: manhattan grandcentralstation train transportation art photography |
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6. Chapter: From Midtown back to New Jersey |
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It takes about an hour to get from Manhattan to New Jersey. I never think ahead to plan the train times so I was hoping that I hadn't just missed a train. I managed to luck out and get an express train that was leaving for NJ in 10 minutes. I joined the crowds of people headed back from the parade or just a nice day out in NY and was lucky I was by myself - there were only single seats available by the time I got on the train. There were a lot of people standing and it was a bit noisy and a bit stinky! Ah well. It cleared out after we got past Seacacus and Newark. All in all, it was a great trip. I headed back the next week! Tags for this Travel Blog Chapter: newyork manhattan pennstation newjersey |
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