Everyone leaves New York with different impressions and memories. Here’s some of mine.
New York City’s Q Train
Walking: I walk almost everywhere and climb a boatload of stairs every day. I would undoubtedly be ten pounds heavier if I lived outside this city
Grand Central Station: Inside and out, the architecture and especially the clock in the center of the main floor take me back in time
The Q Train: It crosses the East River above ground; if you’re not expecting it, the sunlight pouring in the subway windows is startling
The View from the 18th Floor: The North Cove Marina in Battery Park City and the sunsets over the Jersey skyline never get old
The Verrazano Bridge in the Distance: If I squinted and looked far right from our old apartment on Schermerhorn Street, I could see the Statue of Liberty too. I looked past a city jail and numerous bail bonds shop to see these NY landmarks
Theater: I like plays, but I enjoy a musical too. The best play I’ve seen in New York: Master Class with Tyne Daly, but that is also the most recent play I have seen. Best Musical: Silence! The Musical
Macy’s Windows: Ever changing, ever fascinating
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade: Every June the mermaids come out, in homemade costumes and a lot of bare skin. A virtual classroom for a photography student
The 1 train and the M20 Bus: Door-to-door service for me, plus time to read
SoHo’s Animal Haven: This animal shelter resides on block outlined by Centre, Grand, Lafayette and Broome Streets. I have circled that block hundreds of times with dozens of different dogs
The Gatehouse on South End Avenue and Albany Street: Don’t look for it, it’s not there anymore. A place of revelry and a neighborhood gathering place. Night after night, summer and winter, we sat on that patio
The Fruit Stand on South End Avenue and Albany Street: The guys always smile and greet passers-by; they give an occasional freebie and invite customers to test the wares. They try to upsell too; it’s kind of sweet
Bagel Shops: In every neighborhood, I have my favorites: Bagels on the Square on Carmine Street; Munchy’s on St Mark’s Place; La Bagel Delight on Court Street and Pick a Bagel on Vesey Street.
Grassroots Tavern: This one’s for Gene. He loves that ramshackle place for the great jukebox and the great spontaneous conversations. Grassroots was the smokiest bar in NYC back when NY had smoky bars
The Beer at McSorley’s: Patrons get two mugs at a time, slid onto the old wet bar by veteran bartenders. You want choices? Light or dark; there’s your choices.
Bar 89: Love its secret Midwest roots, their grilled vegetables and the Moscow Mule in a copper cup
Kiwa: The Hair Salon near FIT is run by Japanese hipsters. I like getting my hair cut at Kiwa because the staff is adorable and they give you a great cut, great service at a palatable price
Mary Ann’s in the East Village: We consumed monster calories at Mary Ann’s, in the form of the luscious margaritas, the Pollo Yucatan, and the vegetable flan served on Saturday nights
Ferno’s: My close friends know why this unassuming place was special
