Welcome to Da Hood!

It doesn't matter that I have never watched
the show, or that it is about murder and
dark family history.  The fact that they were filming
on 'my' street is freaking amazing.

I was woken up one Monday morning with people yelling 'Rollinggggggg.... Action!' right outside our bedroom window.  Honestly living in New York does not get much more exciting than this.  (I know I need to get out more... but hey, having people yelling at each other at close proximity without having to worry about anyone's life in danger is pretty awesome)  I opened the blinds and the director actually turned around - he was sitting in front of my window!  I pulled a chair and sat there behind him and watched the filming (best seat in da house).  In the scene some people had to walk out of a building for like 10 times - no talking involved... (I can do this!  I can be a star!)  (And I was a bit jealous that those people were not walking out of my building for 10 times)

So, week 6 in New York was all about getting to know my neighborhood.  (On top of what I could find here anyway. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea,_Manhattan )

The only 'attraction' in Chelsea that I was aware of before moving to NYC was the High Line.  It is a really cool urban project that transformed an abandoned railway into a park in the sky https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Line_(New_York_City) , and also a convenient spot for me to have a decent walk without having to stop for traffic lights (it gets really crowded on a nice day though)  I love observing the changing colors of the flora (I am a child of the sub-tropics and the land of only two seasons, and was never properly introduced to autumn colors).  What is even better than looking at plants is to discreetly peek into the windows of the apartments along the High Line.  It is the ultimate amusement to wonder and ponder lives behind those windows - do people live next to the HL to look at the HL all day, or to be looked at all day?  Those novelty toys on the window sill - does it imply children in residence or just the children at heart?  Sun decks in apartment blocks that are visible from the HL - people watching in both ways, or impractical features?  There is even one apartment unit that has its own live-cam, which you can goto a particular URL to see the video clip of yourself walking past - is that even legal?!  Seriously I can walk along this 'park' all day and not get bored.  And I can't wait to see how winter is going to transform the HL.  (I expect snowmen - and I expect to be impressed!)

Next to the 16th St elevator, that takes you up to the High Line, is the Chelsea Market.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Market  The coolest thing (for me anyway) about Chelsea Market is that this is the place where the Oreo was invented.  (Brings back all the lovely camping memories of a cup of hot chocolate in one hand and a ready-to-be-dunked Oreo in the other)  It is a somewhat touristy place (you can purchase totes and t-shirts that says 'Chelsea Market'), but lovely all the same.  I like watching the fish mongers hard at work, bakers tucking in balls of doughs for bed, and pasta chef cooking someone's Chelsea Market memories on the spot, even when they know the combination chosen by said someone might not work (Pesto sauce + lobster is not what dreams are made of.  Fabulous on their own but don't play nice together).

I accidentally ran into my first NYC sample sale at Chelsea Market - what an experience!  It was the Helmut Lang sample sale, held in a vast empty room.  You have to line up to get in and inside there are racks and racks of goodies.  Everything was at least 60% off and they were all separated by the different sizes which I appreciate!  The real eye opener for me was the changing 'room' though - I don't think I had experienced anything like this before.  I found myself entering an area the size of a large living room, fenced off by fabric screens, and filled by mirrors.  Everyone was in various stages of dressing or un-dressing and people were not really talking to each other (so there was this silent frenzy).  I was grateful that I was just trying on a jacket - I am not sure I feel comfortable stripping in front of strangers yet.  I guess you put privacy, body image, and a little bit of dignity aside when you shop in a sample sale.  (This woman was trying on some skinny leather pants and she could't get them on/take them off - I was too embarrassed to go help her)  I guess I am going to need more practice to become a fully-fledged New Yorker.  (What better ways than to go to more sample sales! haha)

Now comes the real business.  One can never claim one knows their hood unless they know where to grocery shop.  My favourite grocery shopping destination at the moment is the Westside supermarket.  It is only a block away from our apartment and has a large range of everything, including Game of Thrones beer and Nando's Peri-Peri sauce (below)!

Winter is coming.
Drink beer (says Jon Snow).

Colorfully stocked fruit and
vegetable section

Nothing answers to calls of homesickness
like the full range of Nando's Peri Peri sauce

The only things that are not so awesome about Westside supermarket are that 1) the aisles are tiny and do not cater for 2 way traffic.  So be prepared to act out the scenes of 'Goats on a log bridge' and decide quick which goat you want to be.  (I am always the goat who is happy to give way but horrible at reversing my shopping trolley)  2) The shop has a large cheese section (it is famous for its large cheese section) so it always smells... like a cheese shop.  Depends on the day sometimes the strong smell can put me off cheese a bit.  And the massive number of options adds to the stress level.

With the commodity stuff sorted it is time to resume our weekend brunch routine.  We found this lovely cafe called the Grey Dog.  (16th St between 7th and 8th Aves) Friendly service, good food, nice and relaxing ambience, and reasonable price.  Expect to line up on weekends though.  (here below Don Don is having the Grey Dog breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage (yes - that flat thing) and pancakes.  Hot drink of his choice is the spiced chai with a little bit of honey.)

I can do this everyday - until I become a fat dog

Last included in my neighborhood exploration (for now - I am expanding my reach!  New Yorkers lock up your puppies - Ashley is the new woman about town!) is the lovely Union Square.  It is not located within Chelsea technically but it is so close to us I am claiming it as mine!  So autumn, so lush, so New York.

Union Square on a fine day

Walking home while crossing 6th Ave - now
where is the famous New York
traffic?