BROOKLYN – This weekend, like the four prior to this, was different from anything I’ve ever experienced. I think I could go every weekend without doing the same thing twice.
It helps that there is an endless amount of places to visit here, but the people who play a part in what happens really make a difference.
The first person who helped make my weekend exciting was my Austrian host brother from when I spent the summer in Salzburg in 2006. He informed me that his band’s lead singer won tickets to a Coldplay concert and was coming here for the weekend.
This was quite exciting for me because I love visitors. Visitors bring a change of pace to the life I’ve created here.
On Friday, my life got even more exciting. A fellow ‘BG News’ reporter e-mailed me saying she’s also living in Brooklyn and that we should meet up sometime. That night we went to see a free performance by the Metropolitan Opera. Two of the Met’s acclaimed opera singers, along with the chorus and the orchestra, performed outside in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
There were so many people there that we couldn’t get a seat with stage views. We watched the entire performance on two giant TV screens that were erected next to the stage.
On Saturday I made my first subway error, which led to an interesting twist on my weekend plans. I got on an express train instead of a local train, which led me to exiting the subway at 125th Street in Harlem, rather than at 81st Street on the Upper West Side.
But I made the best of my altered route. I walked past the Apollo Theater and discovered the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, a jazz group, playing outside. The orchestra was amazing, and from there I headed to Grant’s tomb. After seeing the General U.S. Grant National Memorial, I walked down Broadway to the Columbia University campus. I love the campus there. It’s so serene.
Then I walked past Tom’s Restaurant, which was featured in many Seinfeld episodes, and I decided that it would be a good idea to get on a bus so that I didn’t have to walk all the way from 112th Street down to my original destination.
I was going to 81st Street so I could acquire free tickets to the performance of ‘Hamlet’ in Central Park. By the time I finally made it, the tickets were gone. So I hung out at the Great Lawn in the park watching turtles and lounging in the grass.
And then, because I had nothing better to do, I decided to go on another bus ride. Even though the subway gets you to your location faster, the bus is typically less crowded and has windows that allow you to see something other than the inside of a subway tunnel. So I would recommend a bus ride or two to anyone, just for watching the scenery and people.
I would also recommend wandering through Central Park. By walking through the park two days in a row, it gave me a good understanding of how huge the park really is and of some of the sights and walkways.
And don’t go there if you’re in a hurry. Go when you have time to sit down and take in the beauty. And if you’re looking for a breathtaking view of the city at dusk, head to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
My Austrian visitors asked me where my favorite place is, and the promenade was my answer, so they wanted to see it.
They agreed. We made it just in time to see the sun begin its decent behind the Financial District skyscrapers and turn the cloudy sky pink. All of the Manhattan building lights begin to flicker on at dusk, too. You can see from the Statue of Liberty up to the Chrysler Building, with the graceful arches of the Brooklyn Bridge in between.
Every Monday I say I don’t know how I could have a weekend that would be as fun as the last. But they are, and I hope they continue that way.
– Respond to Alison at [email protected].
