New York Narrative

If Central Park is too crowded for you check out Inwood Park. This tract of land on the northern tip of Manhattan boasts the highest natural point in Manhattan. The park has an estuary, hiking trails, and baseball fields. Having lived in Manhattan for six years, I have explored much of what the island has to offer. Inwood is one of the rare gems that, up this point has not been overrun by tourists and spoiled transplants. I promise you won’t see any Nicole Richie look alikes walking around in sandals and carrying 500$ purses.

I moved to New York broke, with one suitcase. I’m sure I’m not the only one who came that way. I took the F train to Brooklyn, and hauled my suitcase up to the top floor of an old brownstone. It was a studio apartment. It had one bed, one window, and a bathroom shared with another apartment down the hall. It had one window, and it was one hundred degrees outside. And there were three people staying there. We needed a sense of humor. Also, a lot of wine.

My first afternoon, one of my roommates and I felt quite clever after we discovered an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood with both good house wine and a good price (we went there the next day too, and the next). We ecided to head in to Manhattan, and ventured down the steps to the F train. From the wine and the heat, and the excitement of the day, we were sloppy. I kicked my companion’s flip flop on to the tracks as she led us on to the train- the wrong train, shockingly- and there we rode, 3 shoes between us, heading deeper into Brooklyn.

An hour later, I found myself standing outside a shoe store on 8th St. like a stork on one leg, while my friend replaced her shoes, wondering what was to come for me in this city. I laughed the whole day long at the ridiculousness of it all. I kept laughing as I moved 3 more times in the next month, and 3 more times still in the next 3 years. I was entirely hopeful, and found?the chaos of the city intriguing. I was ready to jump in full force (with both feet, even though just one shoe).

Lots has happened in the years since that first afternoon, but now that I’m leaving I’m jolted to find how close I still am to that first afternoon. I’m amazed to find myself starting it all again somewhere else soon. My last few weeks in this city are a mirror of my first few. I am sharing a studio apartment, broke, living out of one suitcase. It’s been worth it, and I think I’ll be back. I can’t be the only one to leave this way either.

On 88th st. between 2nd and 3rd there lives a dog named Buddy. Buddy is a St. Bernard. He is a humongous dog with a huge heart. By looking at Buddy one can’t help but laugh. He reminds me of Stanley from John Steinback’s book, Of Mice and Men. I wish I had a picture of Buddy carrying his stuffed teddy bear to show. It is a silly sight. Bless Buddy and his big heart. Next time you are in the area, walk up this block and you might see Buddy hanging out on his stoop. He loves company and he won’t drool on you.

I love strange, out of the way, places that are not featured in a Daily Candy newsletter. If you want a cool little place to call your own for the evening, Single Room Occupancy may just be it. Access to this bar is granted through a peephole and doorbell. They only serve beer, wine, and good times. Say hi to the skeleton in the back for me. I think his name is Jimmy.