Adventures in Chinatown

There is so much more that goes on in Chinatown than just being a tourist destination - even though that is certainly a big draw for the crowds. My first venture there was to catch the bus to Boston.

Getting off the subway and heading to Fung Wah Bus, a few blocks away, I found myself feeling like a New Yorker . . . wishing there weren't quite so many tourists!

However, when I returned to explore the area, I decided there were a few "touristy" things I should do. One of which was to try the Ice Cream from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. I chose the Green Tea Ice Cream, and I wasn't disappointed!


A few days later I was back in Chinatown for Sunday brunch and Dim Sum at Ping's Restaurant - an experience I highly recommend. The restaurant was filled with 'locals', usually a good sign that the food is worth the trip!
Also found in Chinatown, or a bit south of the area, are the various courthouses, the City Hall, and other Municipal Buildings.
I'm also very taken with the neighborhood park areas. I suspect that many out-of-towners assume that the only Park in Manhattan is Central Park. However, amid the steel and concrete are some very beautiful and peaceful "green" spaces. There are always lots of people, young and old enjoying the chance to sit for awhile, or play: boccie to basketball.

Bus trip to Boston

For a mere $30 round-trip ticket, you can catch a bus in Chinatown and head to Boston, which is what I did this past weekend. The 'four-hour' trip actually took a bit over five hours [Friday afternoon summer's-almost-here traffic] and unfortunately, the air-conditioning was not working on the bus. However, once I arrived, the weekend was great!

Jan and Simi are totally gracious hosts, and were very indulgent in taking the weekend to show me the sights and sounds of Cambridge and Boston.


When first visiting a new city, I feel compelled to check out landmarks the city may be best remembered for: Boston Commons, Beacon Hill, State House, the bay area, etc.
And Boston does not disappoint! There were several festivals going on throughout the weekend and the weather was made to order.



I also like to find "the touch of whimsy" that can be found. Again, no disappointment there! These two photos are just a sampling.







Boston clam chowder, Dave Brubeck and Quartet concert [he's 87 years old and going strong!], Cambridge Riverside Festival, Toscanini's Ice Cream, the Institute for Contemporary Art, The Barking Crab . . . it's amazing how much you can fit into a weekend if you really work at it!

Tribeca

I have finally taken the time to get back to my exploring of Manhattan. Today's adventure took me to Tribeca.
From what I can discern, this fairly small neighborhood is made up of many, many restaurants - 52, according to the NFT guide book. I can attest to one of these dining meccas: Nobu's Next Door.





Nobu is a very high-end restaurant, where rumor has it, you put your name on a two to three month waiting list. Nobu's next door doesn't take reservations - you just show up. It was three years ago that we ate here and I can still remember the experience!

The mark of a restaurant that 'has made it' might be that there is no signage needed on the outside to "lure" people in. Everyone who needs to know, knows where it is.


One of the fun landmarks that can be found in Tribeca is the Ghostbuster's Firehouse. I had to get a photo!
And again, I never would have known this was here if I didn't have the NFT Guidebook, because there is nothing on the building to indicate what it is . . . so New Yorkish!


I did find one other reason for making the trip to Tribeca and that is the discovery of the Amish Market. There appears to be a wide variety of fresh food, as well as a cafe, and at reasonable prices! I wasn't hungry, so didn't stop to eat, but I would willingly come back to check it out later.

Swimming parallel to the shore

Recently I saw a news clip describing what to do if caught in a riptide while swimming. Rather than fight the current [which usually will win] by heading straight to the shore, you should swim parallel to the shore. This takes you out of the pull of the tide, enabling you to catch your breath and head for safety.
This past week has felt like a riptide . . .

Jim is in Venezuela and assures me he's fine . . . even though he talks about the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators down the block from where he's working; hot water in the apartment has become a 'hit and miss' kind of option; a good friend of mine emailed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer [regular mammograms are a must!]; then during the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday, a very large dead tree in the backyard fell - very loudly!

These are not the kind of life events that I have any sense of control over, so I find myself 'swimming parallel to the shore' until I can catch my breath and head for land for awhile.

For those of you who have had the ultimate pleasure of dining on 'Jim Burgers' on the patio out back . . . these pictures are for you!

". . . money, money . . . "

My journey starts in the Financial District, where the NFT guide lists over 40 bank and ATM sites in this small area, as well as the American Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and of course, Wall Street.







But there is so much more to see and experience in the southern tip of Manhattan. Battery Park was a welcome relief for strolling around - the afternoon temps were in the upper 80's - with shady lanes, gardens and interesting monuments and sculptures to be seen.






There are also a variety of museums that would be well worth a trip back to go through - Museum of the American Indian, American Financial Museum, and several others [I don't remember the names of but may have to come back and check out!]

Through different eyes

While walking through Strand Book Store the other day, my eye caught sight of a 'little black book' I have seen several places called: NFT Not For Tourists Guide to New York City. The price was right and after purchasing this very handy guide, I've come up with an idea! Why not approach my time in NYC similar to my touring through Europe?!

This guide book divides Manhattan Island into 25 areas . . . as well as outer lying areas on either side of the island. I'm planning to visit sections one by one, and hopefully get a feel for each of the neighborhoods. I have no idea how many neightborhoods I'll have time to visit, but as many as I can fit in.

So with camera and metro pass in hand, I'm off to explore this incredible town!