This makes me happy.
Sandwich anybody? Dumpling tacos? Ricey rice?
Born in the hospital across the street from Central Park, and raised between L.I., the East village, and uptown in Washington Heights, I was. The taste for travel was developed at an early age, being the daughter to two adventurous spirits. I left the East Coast long ago, but still vie for it from time to time, on an inexplicably deep level.
What I miss is the mash up. The haphazardness of it all; along with the solid working order. Everything is atop of everything else; no body is phased. Try to surprise me, eh? What I miss is the in-your-face-ness; The dare-to-be-ness; so infused and embedded in the culture at large…
I mean, come on: "Dozens of delicious flavors and 3 shitty ones" blazed above the door. Snaaaarkyyy
Another thing that I long for that remains insatiated in me is the real, heavy, richness and diversity in culture there. Walking around a few blocks, one is guaranteed to pass a conversation where you can’t even identify the language. Ah! I miss home. I miss super authentic ethnic food from an uncharted hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
E 6th St is rife with Indian food places. If it looks famliar... you probably WEREN'T here. Haha.
Not that I claim that it is anything close to utopian, but people seem to coexist there, overall, better than where I currently reside. In Portland OR, the community is nice, considerate, environmentally aware, progressive, and many other fantastic things, but we lack genuine integration. It’s rather sad and doubly awkward. The grass is always greenerrrr. Assuming that there is grass, of course.
Five Points/ LIC
This city, which, in truth deserves a tremendous amount more of my time and attention to really do a proper entry, is so f*$%^n’ random. Anything really goes. I love it. It is nuts. I don’t know if I will ever/ could ever live there again. But my goodness, it is the best city I know.
yes, these ARE toothbrushes. You're right! Yes, they are in a special protective keeper, discarded at the foot of a tree on E. 12th. How ever did you know?!
A stop off the LIRR in Queens, this trash burned. One man tried to help(ish) by pouring a 12oz. water on it. Policeman walked on bye. It was "contained".
Pigeon Heart Ponderings 
So funny that you found my Chinese/Pizza restaurant photo posting right after you posted the picture of a Chinese/Hispanic grocery! New York is like nowhere else, for sure!
I know, I was thinking the same thing. Bizarre hybrids. Keep away!! Or, well, dare someone else to (;
My husband, son and I are going up to NYC next month to hear our daughter play with her high school band in Carnegie Hall. This’ll be my third time visiting, but my son and daughter’s first time. Can’t wait to hear their impressions!
I do like the randomness of the city, but after living in Arkansas for the last 6 years, I think I’d miss seeing cows as I drive around doing my errands and my runs! : )
Wow, Carnegie Hall, eh? Fancy! Congrats to her and I am sure it will be fun.
I think different people like to return to there roots. For me, I think seeing cows is charming, quaint, sweet… a relic of Americana, but could not even imagine living near pasture land. So funny. Different strokes for different folks!
Thanks so much for stopping by~
Hey there.. Just wanted to say thanks for being one of the first to follow/comment on my blog. Glad your feeling it! Look forward to seeing stuff on your blog that captures your city in such funny ways as depicted. ie. love the toothbrush case holder haha. for now i guess… keep me posted!
Aw thanks (: yours is fun so far. I think I clicked follow?? Yeah, how funny w/ the toothbrushes, eh? Randommm
No sales tax in Portland, eh? I love the toothbrush picture. I work in the city and frequently have those New York moments that simply never happen anywhere else. My latest was a commuter moment: on the train in with me was a middle aged man in really bad Bo Peep drag. It takes serious balls to go into NYC in bad drag, no lie. I had a lot of respect for him. This was not the first time I’ve seen him on the train.
He didn’t have any sheep.
I think I may have been in that Indian place. Mmmm.
HA! Bo Peep drag. What better drag could there possibly be?! Love it. Hilarious! Stop by more, you crack me up!
Ah…we breath the same Northwest air. I am in Seattle…but my older brother lives in Portland…I love Portland…but I can see how after living in and near NY you would feel like Portland…as a city…is really merely a town…just like Seattle. I too have enjoyed large cities…Paris probably my favorite followed by SF where I spent much of my youth…I only made it to New York with my parents and it was a short high-end visit…didn’t get to experience properly…which would really entail living there for an extended period. I bet the food and night life is fantastic…best experienced when one is at youthful peak.
Ah, but you would still love it, no matter your age. With each age there are different levels of appreciation, as you know.
I would love to go to Paris- some day I hope. Greetings from down South (;
Texas huh? Talk about going from one extreme to the other! Great post and very well written.
Thanks so much. Yes, definitely a big change.