Fifty shades of? No, I've not read those books, neither do I ever want to! Please, I'm no schmuck! I'm talking about the fabulous fifty shades of New York City! From my time living only a heartbeat away from the Big Apple I grew a greater appreciation for the hidden and less popular parts of this insane yet ever so endearing North American city.
Let's say Shalom to Williamsburg, Brooklyn! That's Hebrew for Hello! If you haven't heard of Williamsburg then I'm not going too be concerned for this Kosher community took me a lot of searching to find. I didn't have a 3G enabled mobile phone back when I visit the home of New York's Jewish Hasidim, so I had to rely on helpful passersby and conducting some pre-trip research on Google Earth. Lee Avenue is where it all happens, its a hype of energy for sure with its bustling businesses that all abide by Jewish Kosher law. I had watched countless YouTube documentaries about the Hasidim living in New York City before my visit, especially in Williamsburg so I was very intrigued to rewrite the tourist guide and see a slice of Jewish life in New York City. Captured to the left is the gateway to Lee Avenue, a road that took me by surprise for sure, it was unlike anything I had ever seen before with its Hebrew billboards I was taken out of my comfort for sure!
I had made my way from Newark, NJ to the heart of New York City's Jewish heartland, I guess the journey wouldn't of been as chaotic if I had started from Manhattan but I loved the adventure really! I didn't see a McDonald's restaurant or any other American chain until I made my way back to Manhattan later that day. Lee Avenue really shows how Kosher everybody lives in that side of Brooklyn, for modest clothing is the way forward. Mothercare would have a field day if they managed to set up shop in this part of Williamsburg for each Jewish woman that I saw had a baby in a pushchair, whilst other ladies had multiple children with them, I guess that those Williamsburg families are the true reason for the Jewish baby boom! Frankel's Kosher Supermarket provided me with my lunch that day, I ate Kosher snacks for the first time from a 100% Kosher supermarket! Trusting New York City was the only way that I was ever going to see such an individual neighborhood during my time discovering Williamsburg, New York!
Greenwich Village, it's kitsch and quite camp but that's just fine with me. If I could have my time again living in America I would live in this district of New York City! Who know's what the future has in store for me?! Back in March 2012 my co-worker Sharissa told me about the wonders of Greenwich Village, those words painted a picture in my head for sure! Jumping off the PATH train from Newark at Christopher Street little did I know that this side of NYC would hold many memories for me. My first afternoon in Greenwich Village was absolutely darling! I found the many men's fashion boutiques to be so en-trend, I went to Rag & Bone where I parted with $70 for a turquoise tank top. I think the shop assistant mesmirised me with his good looks?! I found that Bleecker Street lasted forever, so much so I walked from Greenwich Village, through the unknown streets of NYC's NoHo district to find the Tenement museum in Nolita. I never used a map, I just followed the road in front of me, making random turns that eventually took me back to Christopher Street PATH Station later that day, no wonder I was so skinny!
Fast forward to May of 2012 I returned back to Greenwich Village, making my way to Christopher Street to find the perfect spot to watch the NYC Pride March 2012! That occasion was my very first Pride event so I feel very lucky that I spent that time in New York City! Cyndi Lauper was the Grand Marshal so I guess girl just wanted to have some fun?! I loved it! I randomly made another visit on a beautiful August morning that I should of been resting from my hectic work schedule but when I awoke at 7 am that sunny morning I just pushed my tiredness away and made my way to the city of New York! I remember eating a really good slice of pizza from a crazy looking pizza takeaway on the corner of Sheridan Square and Stonewall Place, it was great! Oh yes before I nearly forgot to mention, Greenwich Village is truly where the beautiful people exist in NYC!
Chinatown, NYC breaks the mould for its nothing like its depicted in the movies, its much more real and gritty! Making a random visit in February 2012 with my fellow Intern Paolo we found Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant, captured to the left is that very restaurant that served up some very interesting culinary delights. Chinatown, NYC lies around the Canal Street area not too far from the Manhattan Bridge and the Downtown district. It was mad to see all of the bag and watch stalls amongst the many Chinese restaurants, I just loved it but I always felt the need to be cautious at the same time! I dined at Wo Hop Chinese Restaurant in August of 2012 I would guess they served me a great meal but my heart will always be with Pho 88! I found a great little comic shop that sold special edition Pokemon cards so the child within me influenced a rather surprise purchase that just had to be made!
During my time discovering New York City I would have to say that Chinatown always had a crazy feeling, a sense of activity and excitement could always be felt during each visit. I learnt to further trust the streets of New York City and be safe, as time progressed I was becoming more and more familiar with the NYC Subway, so getting to and from this part of NYC didn't prove to be a stress at all! Upon my final visit of 2012 I enjoyed another delicious meal at Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant, that final meal wasn't any ordinary meal for it was Christmas Eve night, I know that I won't forget that visit for a long while. To celebrate my stateside Christmas Eve I found a great Bubble Tea cafe that were selling two medium Bubble Tea's for $2.50! From my first visit to Chinatown NYC to my unplanned discovery when I found out that Chinatown sits at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge, I shall always keep this side of town as one of my fifty shades of New York City!
