One of Hera's places to visit this week was to go to B&H. So we decided that would be our destination for the day, and started out.
I decided to take a meandering walk in the East village first, and as we walked, we came across McSorley's Old Ale House and Grill. One of New York's oldest pubs, established in 1854. It was too early for a beer, but we poked our heads in anyways to see the saw dust covered floors. A step back in time, and we made a mental note to come back later for a drink.
The area has seen waves of various immigrants, including the Ukrainians, which left several Ukrainian churches, and a delightful Ukrainian Shop called Surma. The pleasant salesgirl greeted us, and we perused the shop's wares.
Most of Manhattan, including the East Village is laid out in a grid, that makes navigation easy. Avenues run North-South, and Streets go East-West. When a street runs at an angle, more often than not, there is a story behind it. And that is the case with Stuyvesant Street.
As most people know, or may not know, New York was originally a Dutch Colony. In the mid 1600's, the Dutch Governor, Peter Stuyvesant, built himself a large farm in this area, and Stuyvesant Street ran from the East River to his farmhouse. Generations of his family lived here into the 19th century, and it was lined with wealthy homes. When the grid structure of New York was being imposed in 1811, the wealthy families of the street were able to save the street from being razed.
While it runs at an angle, Stuyvesant Street is one of the few streets that actually run East-West! A small triangular park at the end of Stuyvesant Street and Third Avenue has a compass attesting to the fact.
Food is one of the defining characteristics of New York. Eateries of all descriptions abound in New York. Street vendors to high class restaurants, and everything in between is to be found in New York. But never judge a book by its cover, some of the true gems are small non-descript looking small hole in the walls. One such place that we entered was the East Village Thai restaurant. With only 4 tiny tables, most people order out. Eating while walking is only surpassed by texting while walking in New York.
We could use the rest, so we sat, and shared a delicious Thai chicken green curry dish with bamboo shoots, grean beans, eggplant in coconut milk. The blend of spices was perfectly balanced. Hot and spicy, but not too hot. Would we come back, yes we would. But there is so many choices, and only that fact alone might unfortunately stop us from returning on this trip.
Continuing on our stroll, we entered Grace Church, a Gothic Revival church built in 1843. At the time, it was one of the most fashionable churches in New York city, with reserved pews costing as much as $1 400.
Next to food, the people are another defining character of New York. Several years ago, Hera saw a very distinctive fellow photographer, and took his photograph near Times Square. Low and behold, we came across him once again. Hera recognized him immediately, they chatted and exchanged e-mail addresses, and he offered that Hera take another photo of him once again.
Only later, when we return home, did we have the chance to go to his web site. The once anonymous person Hera photograph years earlier, now not only had a name, Louis Mendes, but an impressive background as well. Do take a moment to Google him.
Parks of various sizes abound in New York, from small little community gardens, to various neighborhood squares, not to mention Central Park. These small oases are always a welcomed sight, each with their own distinct charms.
We did finally made it to B&H, only to realize, that being a Jewish store, it was closed on Saturdays. But the destination is not the point, it is the journey that really counts.
Walking back, we found ourselves on 6th Avenue that was closed off for a street fair. Vendors sold various items, and of course, more food. I was not really hungry, but I decided to try out a fried corn bread filled with mozzarella that I had seen a few times along the street. Good, but not something I would have again.
The World Cup had taverns over flowing today, with line ups everywhere. The Americans were playing Guyana, and soccer fever was everywhere. Still a distance from home, and our feet tired, we walked the bustling street. We were disheartened when we saw another tavern with the usual line up over flowing onto the street, but I spied an empty table on the curb! We realized that everyone today was interested in being "in" the tavern to watch the match, so we sat, and enjoyed a cold refreshing Brooklyn Ale, as we listened to music off the street, interspersed with shouts from the spectators watching the game.
We continued our walk home, sat a bit in Washington Square Park, and then meandered back home.
Hera cooked a delicious a marinated chicken breast and potato salad supper accompanied by a mixed green salad. Exhausted from the heat and the long walk, we decided to relax and stay home for the night.
PS: Hera is keeping her most artistic shots from this trip for her future audio-visuals.
Cheers,
Anthony & Hera
