This is my second weekend back in NYC, T and I spent the “last day of summer” at Coney Island. Walking along the boardwalk yesterday, seeing the aquarium and theme park, teleported me all the way back to my 8 year old self. Although this is the first time that I’ve spent so much time in this city as an adult, I did come to Brooklyn every year when I was a child; Coney Island evoked those memories.
I distinctly remember the roller coaster which seems a bit of a hazard in its current state, the ferris wheel and all the other kids rides. Oh, how I wish I could relive those moments as a child.
The first thing to do was get food; we had Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. I am still a bit shocked that I ate a hot dog drenched in chili and cheese. Could I possibly have been any unhealthier! [Reluctant confession: it was indeed a good hot dog :)]
Once we had appeased our hunger, I planned on lapping up the last bit of sun before Fall, laying on T’s beautifully striped beach blanket while trying to finish ‘Eat Pray Love’. I do mean trying to finish. I have been reading this book for almost 2 years! In what world does a “good” book take this long to complete?! I’m wondering if the book is just boring or if I made an error of watching the movie before reading the book. Now don’t get me wrong, the essence of the book is quite nice, I do enjoy reading about her travels and experiences around the world. However, it seems as though the book could possibly have been a couple hundred pages shorter. Sigh.
So I did not complete my book as I had intended to, but I am happy to say that she has finally left India! I think that the gentleman standing on the board walk, clad in heels and a jeans tighter than any I own with his very ‘feminine’ speech, could have been a possible distraction. Next on the agenda was to go to the aquarium. So I should let you know that the aquarium takes “donations” after 4pm, quite beneficial to me on my student budget 🙂 Of course there was a ridiculously long line, but these are the consequences we must suffer in any bid to save money! I will say though, the long wait was well worth it. I much prefer aquariums to zoos, as I am not much of an animal person.
The Sea Lions were the undisputed stars at the Coney Island Aquarium. Their very charismatic performance had the crowd doing their “Oooos” and ‘Aaahhhs”. I would certainly recommend this activity if you have kids in NYC next summer. The day was well spent, the sand and sun (no sea as any well respecting Caribbean person would not dip their big toe in the sea water at Coney Island). Even walking the boardwalk was a treat; the sun’s descent brought out a DJ blasting music and random folks dancing and having a time.
As temperatures drop to the low 70’s, the outdoor activities will be coming to an end for me, but there is still much of New York City that still needs to be explored.
Look out for more in NYC and the ‘B’.
As Told By Bridget 