Williamsburg Living I

Here's an example of what you may experience during your next trip to Williamsburg. It rather makes the Brooklyn experience for me:

Descending the stairs of the Marcy JMZ stop, I already have my eyes locked on the fruit stand across the street. I have a mission: mangoes.

To my dismay, the mangoes are rock hard. Instead I pounce on the strawberries. Three for $5? What's the difference between the two for $4 and the three for $5. Sigh. No matter, I just get some strawberries. The fruit seller urges me to go for the mangoes but I have to decline. He counters:

- 'Sooooo are you married?'
- 'No of course not -- I'm only 25 years old'
- 'Where are you from? Korea?'
- 'California'
-'Ahhh American'
-'Yes, American'
- 'So you're not married? Why not?'
-'Why so? I'm only 25. Where are you from?'
-'I'm from Bangladesh'
-'Ah'
-'So you're not married'

I hand over the money and take the black bag of fruit (rather feels as though I'm buying something on the black market, these sketchy black plastic bags). Mr. Fruit Seller then reaches for a mango and shoves it in my bag. 'A Gift' I am told. Of course this gift follows with a grab for my hand and the whispered promises of more mangoes to come. Yuuuuummmmmm

I round the corner and pass the McDonald's where the local wheelchair bound panhandler is stationed. As I pick up momentum I hear a 'Do you want to get married' from his direction. 'No!' I volley back. 'Well I do!' was his decided counter attack.

After the friendly 'Ohh pretty' from my empanada man (I love his chicken empanadas with lots of hot sauce), I was flattery free for the rest of the walk home.

Gosh, a girl can get a big head from all of these pretty words--and that would be a travesty for me. My head is already as big as it can been. With the added cushion of hair, good luck trying to find a hat that fits on my head and doesn't look ridiculous.

New York Living II

You know there isn't anything like a bike and a series of celebratory parties to remind me of why I choose to live in New York. Forget the rain (I hopefully missed the most of it, but more on late later perhaps), there are so many things to make up for that. And look on the bright side, rain = New York has cooled off, the humidity has got away for now! How's that for a positive.

To continue on the theme of rediscovering favorites and all around places that one can have a really good time out, let me say a word or two about Beauty Bar and The Ten Bells. These are both places I've frequented in the past, and I must say perhaps time does make the heart grow fonder. Or in any case, I forgot just how fantastic a full night of crazy 80s music and dancing could be, which is no more or less wonderful than $1 oysters and duck rillette. Seriously, I could spread that stuff on Post-It Notes and salivate. MM

Is it just me, or is there crowd at Beauty Bar not all college age hipsters. That, let me say was a pleasant surprise. Cheap drinks, the novelty manicure, and five hours of non stop dancing, what more can a girl ask for? How about oysters? Two were on the menu this evening at The Ten Bells - Olde Salt and Barcat. The Olde Salt were well salty; the Barcat were douce, without being sweet. Problem I had with the Olde Salt was I couldn't help but think that the saltiness was due to salt water and not the oyster. The vinegar and lemon balanced it out though.

I also finally tried Diner in Williamsburg. It's part of the Marlow & Sons, Marlow & Daughter fresh meats and butcher conglomerate. The burger was touted and the burger was devoured, along with a crostini of smoked white fish with heirloom tomatoes on toasted black bread. I don't have pictures because I don't usually take pictures of the food I eat. So just go and eat for yourself. Juicy, salty, bitter greens, pickled onions, crisp are some adjectives and words I'd use to describe the experience.

Any places I MUST try?

Biking

So did I mention my first bike ride in Manhattan yet? Seeing that I was on a writing hiatus for over a week I guess not. This was about 20 miles and began in Williamsburg, wound though Soho, up the West Side highway, over on 125th street and down 2nd Ave. to Soho.

I literally passed the apartments of about 6 friends, including my old East Village haunts! Let me just say that there is an annoying 1 block long mini hill, down 2nd Ave, the Williamsburg Bridge is steeper on the Manhattan side, cobble stones and street construction are bikers' arch-nemeses, and the problem with riding a bike that's a bit too big is that it's difficult to stop and start.

But that's not what I wanted to really write about.

The path along the Hudson river is pretty amazing because of all the freaking stuff that NYC has placed along the river. There are the various piers, miles of green space, playgrounds, sports facilities, bike rentals, waffles AND dignes, fishing, kayaking, buzzing of cars on highways, basketball courts, and random but beautifully derelict iron structures emerging out of the water. You can also say 'hi' to New Jersey, without having to step foot in Jersey.

Next bike purchases: lights, reflectors, pump, back bike rack, and a much needed tune up =D


Addresses (yeah I can't be bothered to look up exact addresses so you're going to have to make due, sorry)

Beauty Bar
14th Street and 2nd Ave.
L and Union Square trains

The Ten Bells
Broome between Orchard and Ludlow
FJMZ

Diner
Broadway and Bedford (Williamsburg)
JMZ