Tag 244: New York City

Monday, 9:15 am. The sun is shining through the window of our old apartment. Sitting there smoking, I look out at the busy intersection and think back to last week. We've been in New York City, or rather in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, for five days now. Here, the most diverse worlds come together. When you walk to the subway, a large muscular man in a black latex costume, wearing high heels, passes by on your left, and a pale strict Orthodox Jew with a hat, full beard, and thick curls on his cheeks passes by on your right. That's when you know you're in Williamsburg. From here, we started our cultural and culinary excursions. In addition to the obligatory visits to the many impressive sights, we tried to immerse ourselves in the city and let the many colorful faces of New York smile at us. And we were not disappointed. For example, when we stumbled upon a group of naked people performing 'Hamlet' in the afternoon sun during a two-hour walk through Central Park. Or in this glamorous gin bar behind the secret door of a small bakery, where we were allowed to watch a burlesque show during Sunday brunch with dimmed lights. But the city has more than just eccentric offerings. We enjoyed every day, ate well, and took many beautiful walks. We had a fun evening at a stand-up comedy show in a pub in Williamsburg, spent a relaxed afternoon at the waterfront food market, strolled through the beautiful flea market under the Brooklyn Bridge, and took a walk on the 'High Line', a converted and landscaped freight train track above the streets of Manhattan. Always accompanied by delicious food. The most populous and lively city in the United States initially seemed daunting and overwhelming. But we embraced it, let it guide us, and mastered it.

Sabrina points out the time and puts on her backpack. Mine is still in the door frame. I extinguish my cigarette, put on my shoes and my backpack, and we leave the apartment. Our flight to Las Vegas departs at 5:30 pm.