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So I am sitting here back in my office and I want to bring our last 2 days in New York City to paper. Considering that the weather forecast for Saturday was pretty bad (rain and maximum temperatures of 13 degrees C), the day turned out much nicer than expected.
Surrounded mostly by Caribbean retail outlets, we got a headstart by walking down Flatbush Avenue in the heart of Brooklyn. At Avenue U we grabbed a bus to the west end of Coney Island and started walking along the boardwalk.
When you come from Toronto you associate the term “Boardwalk” with a nice upscale residential neighbourhood, mature trees, manicured lawns, Victorian houses, well maintained playgrounds, tennis clubs etc. Well, the boardwalk in Coney Island is just a little different.
Essentially it is a very wide beach with a wooden boardwalk, made up of 5 sections of wooden planks laid down in a different orientation, probably 15 to 20 m wide, that is surrounded by a large number of low rental apartment buildings. There are huge parking lots for school buses, and all the buildings are closed off with high fences so residents and visitors only have access through the main streets to get to the boardwalk.
Then you reach the main drag around Key Span Park, home to the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball team. Just a bit further east is the Astroland Amusement Park where the more than 75 years old “Cyclone” roller coaster is still giving kids a thrill. Right in front of it are a few huts with food, including the famous “Nathan’s Hot Dogs” (“Since 1916″, the taste wasn’t actually as famous as you might think..), and various fast food and amusement booths (“Shoot The Freak – Live Human Targets” paintball).
The area to the west of this park had a bit of a desolate feel, but from the Amusement Park on eastwards towards Brighton Beach we started to see more pedestrians strolling about, people sitting down and reading on benches… By this time the weather had warmed up nicely and the locals were enjoying the outdoors.
We headed up from the Brighton Beach boardwalk into the local neighbourhood, also called Brighton Beach, or more informally “Little Odessa”, due to the large number of Russian Immigrants. The stores, delis and hairdressing shops underneath the elevated subway tracks were humming with shoppers, a very lively neighbourhood.
Then we decided it was time to explore Harlem. Encouraged by our Greeter’s comments yesterday, we figured Harlem these days was safe enough to go and explore on our own without any fear for our safety.
Sure enough, just like moles we popped up at Broadway & 145th Street and walked all the way south to 103rd Street and Harlem sure felt pretty much like any other neighbourhood in NYC. The historic apartment buildings looked like they were in pretty good shape, the streets were quite clean, lots of local Black and Latin residents were ambling around on the streets or hanging out with friends in front of buildings, the whole area seemed quite well kept and did not have a dangerous or dingy feel to it. At 3333 Broadway we were awestruck by a public housing project consisting of 5 huge apartment block towers, up to 35 stories high, and we tried to figure out just how many thousands of people would be living in just this one complex. Along this stretch we actually saw lots of older apartment towers, but viewed from the street, everything looked pretty orderly.
Both my husband and I remember New York City very differently. We had both been there more than 10, 15 years ago, and New York City had a distinct edge, tons of graffiti, dirty streets with lots of litter, people occasionally giving you some questionable looks.
The contrast between then and now is amazing. We have literally ridden subway trains, buses and ferries all over New York City, and we were hard pressed to find candy wrappers in any public vehicles, streets were clean, as a matter of fact we saw tons of cleaning crews cleaning up street debris. And most importantly, we always felt safe and comfortable, and we were out sometimes in public transit until close to midnight.
Now that doesn’t mean that crime doesn’t exist, as evidenced by the little incident on the Staten Island bus on Thursday, but overall, in our opinion at least, New York City seems to have lost a lot of its grime, dirt and threatening air, and we did indeed explore huge areas of Queens, Brooklyn, Harlem, Staten Island and Manhattan, so I figure we have gotten a pretty good overview.
Further south we checked out the Campus of Columbia University and had a nice little dinner in a Mexican restaurant on Broadway, called Nachos. Broadway south of Columbia University has a very upscale feel to it, with lots of designer store windows, French-inspired bistros, whole or gourmet food outlets. Some parts with outdoor patios almost have a Parisian feel to it.
Later that evening at dusk we took a bus down to Columbus Circle where we were awed by Time Warners Corporate Headquarters, which are flanked on the right by the glitzy Trump International Hotel & Tower. Then, after a little walk through southern Central Park, past the glitzy lit up Tavern on the Green (soups from $15 and up….), we were off to pick up a few souvenirs, and we finally managed to find the Ed Sullivan Theatre, where David Letterman entertains his global audience with his late-night sarcasm and wit. Wading our way through a throng of people (mostly tourists) we finally got on a subway near Times Square that was crammed with late night party goers.
About 45 minutes later we plopped into bed, exhausted, from another day with about 4 to 5 hours of urban trekking.
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.
Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.
“Life is a Journey  Explore New Horizons”.
The interview with photos is published at Travel and Transitions – Interviews
Queen – Brighton rock
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BRIGHTON BRACELET & CHARMS BRAND NEW ALL HEARTS RARE & HTF MUST SEE!!! L@@K!! $259.95 |
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BRIGHTON BRACELET & CHARMS BRAND NEW ALL HEARTS RARE & HTF MUST SEE!!! L@@K!! $229.95 |
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BRIGHTON ROXY Black Leather Silver Hearts Lucky Charms CLUTCH SHOULDER BAG NWT $189.99 |
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~BRIGHTON ♥ALYSSA♥ HEART TAPESTRY HUGE CARRYON/LUGGAGE/TOTE~ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! $174.99 |
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BRIGHTON BLACK LEATHER BAG HANDBAG PURSE HEART HANG TAG MINT CONDITION $168.00 |
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Brighton Emmerson Black Heart Lock Handbag Purse $159.99 |
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BRIGHTON White CRYSTAL VOYAGE HEART Necklace Bracelet Earring SET NWTag Pouch $171.99 |
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Brighton Verona Heart Organizer –Silver Heart & Lock – Great Bag! – Sale! NWT $159.99 |
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Brighton Necklace Sterling Silver Treasures Heart Rare Very limited Edition $166.32 |
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Brighton GRATEFUL HEART Bangle Bracelet Necklace Earrings Set NWT Pouch $165.99 |
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NEW BRIGHTON FRESCA IVORY PURSE/TOTE WITH MULTI COLOR HEARTS H6059V $165.00 |
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Elegant Brighton Silver Tone Heart & Crystal rhinestone Chain Necklace $165.00 |
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BRIGHTON DESIREE HEART TOTE BRAND NEW WITH TAGS $150.00 |
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BRIGHTON Pearl GRATEFUL HEART Necklace Bracelet Earring SET NWTag w Tin or Pouch $163.39 |
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Brighton CRYSTAL VOYAGE White Heart Set Necklace Bracelet Hoop Earrings & Pouch $161.84 |
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Brighton CRYSTAL VOYAGE Pearl Heart Set Necklace Bracelet Earrings & Tin $161.84 |
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BRIGHTON Pearl CRYSTAL VOYAGE HEART Necklace Bracelet Earring SET NWTag Pouch $159.95 |
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Brighton Tan Camel Beige ‘Ella’ Loafer Heart Charm Embellished Mules Heels 8 $149.00 |
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BRIGHTON FRESCA IVORY PURSE TOTE MULTI COLOR HEARTS H60592 w/ Wallet Set $159.00 |
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Brighton SURRENDER Heart Necklace Earrings Bracelet Set & Pouch $157.69 |
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Brighton SURRENDER Pink Heart Necklace Earrings Bracelet Set & Pouch $157.69 |
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Brighton SURRENDER Heart Necklace Earrings Bracelet Set & Pouch $157.69 |
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BRIGHTON Silver Heart Necklace Chain $150.00 |
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BRIGHTON Silver AS ONE Heart Necklace Bracelet Earrings SET NWTag Tin or Pouch $157.37 |
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Brighton AS ONE Heart Necklace & Earrings Bangle Bracelet Set NWT & Pouch $155.20 |
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Brighton black leather handbag love heart flower shoulder bag $150.00 |
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NEW BRIGHTON AILEEN BLACK SCROLL FABRIC HEARTS LEATHER SHOPPER TOTE PURSE BAG $154.99 |
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BRIGHTON RAINING HEART Necklace Bracelet Earrings SET NWotag Pouch or Tin $150.49 |
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Used Brighton Straw Woven Hand Bag Hearts Very Sweet $150.00 |
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NWT $233 Brighton KIMBELL BOUQUET HEART HANDLE HANDBAG & RENAISSANCE ROSE COIN P $149.95 |
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Elegant Brighton Silver Tone & Copper Heart Necklace $145.00 |
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BRIGHTON ANAHITA HEART Necklace Bracelet Earrings SET w POUCH $144.47 |
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Brighton ANAHITA Heart Necklace Earrings Bracelet Set NWT & Pouch $143.58 |
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BRIGHTON BLACK & BROWN LEATHER HEART DETAIL SHOULDER BAG HANDBAG PURSE $129.99 |
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Brighton Crystal Heart 3pc Set Necklace Bracelet Earrings Magnificient Swarovski $139.99 |
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Brighton Charming Heart Clutch Shoulder Crossbody Handbag Cherry Red H10577 NWT $139.99 |
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BRIGHTON SILVER BLAIR HEART 3 PIECE JEWELRY SET NECKLACE BRACELET EARRINGS RARE $139.97 |
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NEW BRIGHTON KIMBELL BOUQUET HEART BLACK SILVER PLATED NYLON LEATHER PURSE BAG $139.49 |
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NEW BRIGHTON KIMBELL BOUQUET HEART LEOPARD SILVER PLATED NYLON LEATHER PURSE BAG $139.49 |
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BRIGHTON Pink CRYSTAL VOYAGE HEART Necklace NWtag Tin $137.59 |
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BRIGHTON BIBI HEART Necklace Bracelet Earrings SET NWTag Pouch or Tin $137.59 |
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NWT BRIGHTON Red Jacquard Heart and Leather “Jenelle” Large Handbag $125.00 |
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Brighton Anna Ross Satchel Handbag Black Brown Leather Silver Heart Dust Cover $135.15 |
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NWT Brighton Caramelo Necklace & Braclet Set includs Heart Tin or pouchs $128.00 |
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NWT BRIGHTON Contempo Heart Organizer Day Pack Black & Chocolate Leather $125.00 |
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BRIGHTON TRIPLE HEART NECKLACE AND EARRING RETIRED AND VERY HARD TO FIND $124.95 |
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Brighton TEMPEST Heart NECKLACE BRACELET EARRINGS Free Ship NWT *Silver/Enamel $129.99 |
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Brighton Red Heart Handbag Purse Shoulder Bag $119.99 |
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Brighton 3pc Necklace bracelet earring Silver Hearts w/Gold Hearts-w/2Tins (B06) $119.99 |
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BRIGHTON CRYSTAL BREEZE Heart Necklace Bracelet Earring SET NWtag w Tin or Pouch $124.69 |
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NWT Brighton Grau Leather Quilted Puffed Hearts Shoulderbag with Silver Chain $115.00 |
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NWT BRIGHTON Black Leather Shoulder bag Large Brighton Silver Heart & Chain $115.00 |
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Brighton black fresco heart leather wallet NWT + matching lipstick NWT case set $120.00 |
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Brighton Audrey Bronze Leather Heart Bow Chain Handbag $190 NWT $119.99 |
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Brighton Straw Play Fun Heart Flower Purse NWOT & Pink Charm Fun Wallet NWT Set $109.99 |
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Brighton Necklace Urban Lights Heart Crystals Rare Retired NWT $119.67 |
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Brighton AS ONE Heart Necklace & Bangle Bracelet Set NWT & Pouch $116.19 |
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Brighton Charm Bracelet 7 Beads Heart Stoppers Love in Night Stars Garden NWT $115.99 |
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Brighton Necklace Bracelet Deco Sweetheart Pink Hearts NWT $115.00 |
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Brighton sterling silver prima donna 925 purple heart ring 9 NWT vintage RARE $115.00 |
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Tuk-Tuk Brighton Taxi Photo Mugs car, Tuk-Tuk, Brighton, Taxi, Thailand, Thai, Asia, Asian, multi, 2000s, current, contemporary, car, open, sided, static, fun, imported, utility, novelty,…. |
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Brighton Balinese Heart Ring This is a authentic Brighton Balinese Heart Ring. It is sized 8 and new with tags…. |
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Brighton Rock [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import] $24.94 Please note that this is a PAL, Region 2 DVD and requires PAL or multi-system capable DVD player. It will not play on standard North American DVD players. Please read the item technical description carefully. ———————————– Synopsis: This unsparing, brutal look at the British criminal underbelly stars Richard Attenborough as Pinkie Brown, a pock-marked gang leader. While leadi… |
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Graham Greene Collection – 4 DVD Set [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import] $44.69 Please note that this is a PAL, Region 2 DVD Set and requires PAL or multi-system capable DVD player. It will not play on standard North American DVD players. Please read the item technical description carefully. ———————————– Synopsis: Includes: THE THIRD MAN, BRIGHTON ROCK, FALLEN IDOL and HEART OF THE MATTER…. |
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Graham Greene Collection (The Third Man / The Heart of the Matter / Brighton Rock / Fallen Idol) 4 DVD Box Set [NON-USA FORMAT, PAL REGION 2, IMPORT] $42.99 Format Disclaimer: PAL format is used outside of North America and is not compatible with standard DVD players used in the US and Canada. Pal compatible or multi-system DVD player is necessary for proper playback. Synopsis: 4 DVD box set includes: THE THIRD MAN, BRIGHTON ROCK, FALLEN IDOL and HEART OF THE MATTER…. |
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Brighton Heart Shoes Silver Womens $70.00 The Brighton Heart shoes feature a leather upper with a round toe. The man-made outsole lends lasting traction and wear. Made in China…. |
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Brighton Taffy Pink Heart Sandal Thongs … |
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London-Brighton Express add-on for MSTS $29.99 Enjoy one of the most classic UK routes in Microsoft Train Simulator. Drive a train from Brighton on the south coast of the UK right into the heart of London to Victoria Terminus… |