Summer time is nearing. Manhattan is spectacular in the spring but I am ready for the sun! This month Brooklyn called our name three times and Staten Island and Queens earned our attention once. The "other" boroughs seem far away but in reality they are our next door neighbors. As prior post show I do have some love for Brooklyn, particularly the beaches. With family visiting we took an express bus and landed in Coney Island mid-May. It was a pleasure to show off the wild world of Coney Island. After a enjoying the views on the boardwalk we stopped in and said hello to Lola Star. Lola is a fixture in Coney Island and breaths her fabulous soul and spirit in her boardwalk store. Make sure you stop in someday and check out Lola, Shimmer and the pink feather walls. After the smaller visitors took in a ride at Deno's Wonder Wheel we all gathered and enjoyed the fare at the famous Nathan's.
Memorial Day weekend led some of us to Staten Island for a baby shower. Having only driven across Staten Island this was technically a first visit. The celebration was truly one of a kind. If you have never been to an Albanian baby shower you might put it on your list of "totally incredible things I have never been a part of!" The shower started at noon and went non-stop until 5 pm. The only reason the party ended was because the dj had another gig. Yes, I said dj. Not only did this baby shower offer a dancefloor, it offered two singing djs. Does it get any better? Amazing Albanian disco and pop blared and the circle dances were continuous. Needless to say it was a pleasure to be one of three non-Albanians invited to this incredible affair. The best piece of knowledge I gained was that Albanians like to mix red wine with Coca Cola. You read that right. Awesome. They even have a pop hit about that very subject. I have been to a lot of baby showers in my life but nothing even remotely close to this one. It was incredibly fun and an honor to be a part of these party people.
Brilliant sunshine begged us to go out and soak in the rays on Memorial Day. Once again we hopped on an express bus and ended up in Brighton Beach. Having just discovered this little beautiful neighborhood in the spring it was a pleasure to be back. The sand was clean and the people bright. Colorful swimsuits were sported by people of all ages in this most agreeable weather. Russian is what we heard from at least 90% of the beach dwellers. While partaking of vitamin D my mind wandered to the older folks on the seaside and wondered if their minds wandered to their days on the shores of the Black Sea? And how fun that the public restrooms (yuck, but necessary for days on the beach) were dolled up in artificial flowers and pictures of American presidents. Cannot vouch if the mens room was the glitzed up as well.
Last but not least May led us to the discovery of Jamaica Bay. To be honest it was a classroom field trip and bus ride courtesy of the NYC Dept of Ed that led us there but wow what a place! For those not in the know NYC is a huge spot for birding particularly during spring migration. Birding could be a post all its own. Jamaica Bay is the most important birding spot in NYC. More than 300 birds have been spotted at this bird sanctuary. The osprey nest was a huge hit among the shorter crowd. Glossy Ibis, yellow warblers, tree swallows and the ever popular cedar waxwing were oohhed and awed over. I have to admit that birding can become addicting. It is quite the exercise in patience yet being on top of your game. Jamaica Bay is the most important urban wildlife refuge in the country. I am looking forward to visiting it again in the near future. What a beautiful natural treasure within the world of New York City.
Summer is so close we can taste it.
Bring on the Summer.
1 comment:
Most of Jamaica Bay (the water, the islands, the marhses, etc.) are managed by the National Park Service as a wildlife refuge, and itself is a part of the two-state Gateway National Recreation Area. Plenty of other (convenient) opportunities to get outside: www.nps.gov/gate
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