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Bethesda Fountain in Central Park.
This week seemed calmer than the last, or I’m just getting more used to the crowds and constant activity. I had another job interview, which I think went really well and they already asked me to come back for a second interview next Monday. It seems like no matter where I work, I’m going to be next to Central Park. Which is perfectly fantastic for me. I recently discovered the gorgeous and shaded Ramble and the angel on the fountain at Bethesda Terrace.
Rowboats in Central Park.
While I have been working hard on the job search and my freelance work, I’ve made sure to see at least one new thing in the city a day, whether it’s in my Williamsburg, Brooklyn neighborhood or in Manhattan. With the somewhat cooler weather and still shining sun, I’ve really just wanted to read in the park. So I spent a couple of afternoons in Central Park with my eyes half on my book and half on the people. People watching and reading are right up there with writing on a list of my favorite activities and New York is offering me opportunities for all of them almost all the time. I thought I would be too busy to read, but there’s so much down time here waiting for the subway and on the subway and waiting for job interviews, that I’ve already finished two books. And I am not the only one. Almost everyone has a book on the subway, and not just a cheap page-turner. A short list of books I’ve seen being read includes: A Confederacy of Dunces, Leaves of Grass, Lolita, Catcher in the Rye, and Atlas Shrugged.
Strawberry Fields in Central Park.
After my last post-job interview stroll through Central Park, I passed Strawberry Fields, the memorial to John Lennon. Roses are arranged in a peace sign over a mosaic that spells “Imagine” in its center. Someone was playing Lennon songs on a guitar and I sat among the people on the benches, listening. “Instant Karma” came up later in the day on my iPod while I was exiting the Bedford Station. There is something to say here that I can’t seem to find the words for. I guess that’s why music exists.
US Open in Bryant Park. Serena Williams is in purple on the court.
As it’s US Open time in NYC, there’s been some hype building around the city. This Wednesday, there was a free tennis demonstration in Bryant Park where Venus and Serena Williams, John McEnroe, James Blake, the Bryan brothers, the Jensen brothers, and Brad Gilbert played in mixed and singles matches against each other. I can’t afford to go to the actual matches, so this was a fun way to see some of the world’s best players. Especially when the highlight was a dance battle between the Williams sisters.
View from the Central Park Reservoir.
I’ve now officially been in New York for over a week, although it feels like I just got here this morning. I try to make an effort to see something cool every day, even though it would be so easy to lounge around inside in the air conditioning. But I didn’t come here because I thought it would be easy. On Thursday, I got a job interview in the morning and celebrated by spending the afternoon reading and wandering in Central Park.
View of Central Park from the top of Belvedere Castle.
I was surprised at how many people were at the park when it was so hot and a Thursday afternoon, but I guess I was there so I can’t judge too much. I picked a shady bench and finished my book while glancing up at expensive dogs on walks and tourists asking me for directions to the Met.
Kids playing in the fountain in Washington Square Park.
Later that day, I met up with Elizabeth for some delicious vegetarian food. There’s really no shortage of that here, which is a nice change from France and Oklahoma. I have yet to go anywhere here that doesn’t have a whole collection of vegetarian and vegan options. What a strange feeling to have so many choices.
Sunset in Brooklyn.
Friday I had a job interview and I think it went well. I should find out today, actually, how well it went. That evening we went to two bars in my neighborhood. The first was the Brooklyn Brewery, where you buy tokens and select from about 8 beers, including two that were made in the brewery itself. It’s a pretty big place and it’s cool to be among the equipment that produced the drinks. They also played “She Don’t Use Jelly” by the Flaming Lips and I consider that a good omen. Afterward, we went to a small place called Rosemary’s, which was surprisingly unpretentious for being right on Bedford Avenue, center of apparent trendiness.
Lower East Side French corner.
On Saturday, we went to the Lower East Side and I noticed this French-themed corner. Or rather, I didn’t notice it at first and walked by, only thinking a few steps later that I was in the wrong country for that. It made me very nostalgic, even more because the outdoor café area was full of people speaking French. The cafés may be what I miss most about day-to-day life in France. I miss meeting my friends for coffee and just talking for hours. Here in Brooklyn, every single person has their laptop out and it would be nearly impossible to get two chairs together. Not that I haven’t spent my share of time writing a novel or research paper in a coffee shop.
Lenin greets you on the Lower East Side.
There was an event called “Wish You Were Here” going on, where designers from the Newburgh Quarter of Long have sent things to Lower East Side boutiques and those boutiques sent things back to London. I wasn’t overly impressed by the clothes, but they were giving away free scones which I happily ate. We also paid a visit to the Lomography store which was having a sale, and I am now the proud owner of a Diana camera. It’s a toy camera that leaks in light, creating really cool effects. I’m not sure I’m using it correctly yet, but I’m experimenting and will find out what works when I develop my film.
Hells Angels' clubhouse.
One thing I love about New York City is that you never know what you might stumble upon, like the above Hells Angels clubhouse. The trick is to always look at what people are photographing, otherwise I never would have seen this, too:
District 9 viral advertising.
I guess District 9 really got into its marketing. I hear the movie is amazing, but I haven’t had a chance to check it out. I know I don’t have a full-time job yet, but I still feel very busy. Even today, I have all my freelance projects going and then the impulse to go on long walks to see the city.
Red Hook waterfront in Brooklyn.
On Sunday, we took the ferry from Manhattan to Red Hook, Brooklyn to pay a visit to IKEA. I purchased a few things that make me feel like I’m actually living in this apartment, like my own pillow, a octopus-shaped drying rack, a mirror, and some picture frames. I still feel like I’m having an extended vacation, but each day makes it feel more like a home. I’m not going to say it is home yet, because that requires a level of comfort and familiarity I haven’t reached. But I’m getting there.
Shoes hanging on a telephone wire by the Russian Orthodox Church near my apartment.
Despite what the lack of blogging might suggest, I did indeed make it to New York and am settled in my new apartment. I’m living in a charming little apartment near McCarren Park, which is populated day and night by soccer and football players and I can spy on a skateboard park from my window. I’m walking distance to the apparently trendy Bedford Avenue, which as far as I can tell is a long stretch of books, coffee, and people wearing thick glasses and skinny jeans. It’s been a little overwhelming and I’ve been so grateful that my amazing friend Elizabeth has been accompanying me around town and showing how this city connects together.
First NYC Space Invader sighting! In Brooklyn, on Beford Avenue.
My cab driver from the airport had no clue where my street was, so I had to call my new roommate for directions while he yelled at people on the street. But I did make it and met Elizabeth at a coffee shop where I got a much needed iced coffee and vegan pastry. Then we moved my stuff into my apartment and made our way to her neighborhood, the East Village, and got falafel.
Flowers for sale in Brooklyn Heights.
The next day, we explored Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO (another Brooklyn neighborhood), which were both lovely, and met up with Elizabeth’s friend Sally. Delicious melon Popsicles under the Brooklyn Bridge while exploring a flea market were involved. Oh, and the popsicles were discounted due to their being broken. Saving the pennies!
Waterpod docked in Brooklyn.
We also visited the Waterpod, which was stopped in Brooklyn and was docked on the river. It’s a floating eco-habitat and had plants and even some chickens, who didn’t seem bothered by the somewhat nauseating boat swaying. There were also gorgeous views of Manhattan from the boat. Which are obscured in this picture by my focus on the Waterpod. Sorry!
A skeleton flamingo stencil in my Brooklyn neighborhood.
I’ve tried to do a lot of exploring and so far have visited just about every bookstore between Union Square and Astor Place. I kind of love Union Square. Yes, it’s over-crowded and gentrified, but there’s so much people watching! I saw a guy wearing a Boba Fett mask playing the accordion, a group of enthusiastic Hare Krishnas, a hula hoop contest, and bought delicious strawberry juice from the green market.
Deer and butterfly window display.
One night, we went to a curated cheese tasting by Liz Thorpe of Murray’s Cheese. I had no idea such amazing cheese was produced in the States. I guess I’m a French cheese snob after all. We also got bubble teas in the East Village, mine being a Lychee Nectar flavor.
Animal pillows at the Areaware Pop-Up Shop.
Another evening we went to the Areaware Pop-Up Shop, which had free wine and art and objects from New York-based designers. I especially liked the above animal pillows and would be quite happy with any of them.
I feel like I’m leaving out a lot, but the past few days have been a blur. A very hot blur, I should add, because the humidity here is insane. And air conditioning is mediocre at best. We have a window unit and I bought a necessary fan, but it’s still hot. Oh well, fall is soon and winter will come after, and I’m much better with the cold than the heat. It can’t be colder than the top of the Alps, right? Well, I had a job interview yesterday at a musical theatre organization and I have one at an education nonprofit tomorrow, so I’m confident that a job is ahead.
