Do Not Judge a Borough by its Cover

If I am to describe Manhattan as a drop dead gorgeous girl who stops the traffic when she flicks her professionally blowed out hair, then Brooklyn would have to be her unassuming, quirky best friend who hides her killer body under a loose-fitting polyester sweater.

You can't help but notice the beauty of Manhattan at every turn - the glamour, the vibrant streets, the unapologetic noise 24/7, and the energy she draws from the people.

Brooklyn on the other hand, is the girl who reads article with titles such as 'Being extrovert is overrated' but couldn't be bothered to hit 'like' because she doesn't really care if you know what she thinks.  She is so comfortable with her own quality that she doesn't feel the need to prove herself.

It has been almost 4 months since we moved to New York (now that is a scary thought).  I am still in constant awe by Manhattan and how it is always 'on'.  However I can't help wanting more and more of Brooklyn because every time I set foot across the bridge I stumble across unexpected hidden gems that just makes me smile.  And with Brooklyn being 3 times larger than Manhattan - the possibilities of what you may find in the urban treasure hunt seems infinite.

Although, for me, Brooklyn got a bad press back in 2004 starting with Miranda Hobbes' massive resistance to move to the other side of the bridge.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeOzqFlXD_Q  Not helping was my 'first contact' with Brooklyn when I went to IKEA in Red Hook - walking through wild industrial areas not knowing exactly where I was.  It was not what I would call a mind-blowing experience.  (I admit it is my own fault not catching the free IKEA water taxi from Manhattan)

It may be fate that I ended up going to Brooklyn a lot (weekly drum classes at the Brooklyn Music School in Fort Greene, and I attend the monthly drum circle at a recording studio in Gowanus) and I keep discovering pockets of awesomeness in this charming borough.

In this post I shall share with you some of my more interesting 'finds'.

Williamsburg, often described as the hipster central of New York City.  I was expecting to see schools of barista-looking dudes in skinny jeans and massive beards walking around.  I only saw a few (perhaps I went during the wrong time of the day) and the setting of the neighborhood reminds me of Glebe.  The pleasant surprise was when I walked towards East River State Park I could see beautiful water and Manhattan under the blue sky.

Looking at Manhattan skyline at
Williamsburg wharf

Gowanus has proved to be another interesting spot, with the area used to be where ships to New York Harbor came to unload their goods.  It was also where local industrial operations unloaded their untreated waste years ago.  However - this is Brooklyn's 'next big thing', with hip restaurants and shops opening up, and home to numerous artists' studios and the like.  I would not use the word 'charming' for Gowanus but I really don't think it cares what words I use.

Earning street cred among your
friends when you tell them this is
where you 'make music'
 at Battalion Studio, Gowanus

Brooklyn will reveal its beauty to you once you see past this.

This is called a 'Terrarium' and was created in
Twig's Gowanus studio. http://twigterrariums.com/
Nelson didn't really like it
but I loved the concept of a pocket universe inside
the jar (and I only have to water it once every 3 weeks)
 - in this universe Nelson has just dashed out
of the forest after a long, gruelling ride.

The cafe inside the Morbid Anatomy Museum
http://morbidanatomymuseum.org/
where regular 'weird and wonderful' exhibitions are
on display.  We attended a lecture there with the topic
of 'Placebos, Nocebos and Voodoo death'.
Ticket price of $12 comes with red wine.

Death masks at The Morbid Anatomy Museum.
Don't ask me why.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_mask

What is cooler than a bat hanging off a tree
is a bat skeleton hanging off a dead tree branch
(Morbid Anatomy Museum)

When evolution is done right. (Morbid
Anatomy Museum)

Who wants to be an unicorn when you can be the
grumpy hare with horns? (Morbid Anatomy Museum)

Last weekend we 'discovered' another otherwise traditionally unusual tourist attraction (thanks to my BFF Han): Green Wood Cemetery.  Contrary to my childhood image of the spooky, dark and scary graveyards that makes you feel too close to death, this place is anything but.  It is peaceful and tranquil.  And the tombs, mausoleums and monuments are of stunning design.  I don't like the idea of being stuck at the cemetery after dark - however this also feels like the perfect place to be getting lost at, with looping networks of roads and trails connecting the various 'zones'.  And it is massive (478 acres)!  As a final resting place, Green Wood is not too shabby at all.

The Gothic Arch entrance at Green Wood Cemetery

Monument style tomb stones
and obelisks scattered around at
Green Wood Cemetery

The burial of painter William Holbrok Beard,
whose famous painting of bears and bulls to the
market is still used to describe the stock market this day.
There is a bear sitting on top of this tomb stone. 

Soldiers' Monument on Battle Hill,
which is the highest point of Brooklyn, where
the Continental Army fought off British troops during
the 1776 Battle of Long Island.

Apparently you can see Statue of Liberty in the
distance from this point (I only saw this piece of
information afterwards).  I like the way the setting
sun paints the skyline with gold. 

Manhattan in the distance.  I was surprised
to see many residential blocks right next
to the cemetery.

Parson's Pyramid: Albert Ross Parson was a
Christian composer with an Egyptian obsession.
The sign of Osiris at the entrance of the mausoleum
is typical for Egyptian tomb.  He is also flanked by
Mary, Joseph and Jesus.  Plus a sphinx.
Triple protection - Good on ya Uncle Parson!

Something worth mentioning was that throughout the cemetery grounds, you could smell the aroma of freshly baked bread.  Very distracting!  After the cemetery closed at 5pm Nelson and I set out to find the source of the killer smell and finally located the culprit at Baked In Brooklyn.  http://bakedinbrooklynny.com/  It looks like a wholesaler bakery but walk in is also welcomed.  While we sat down on the bench taking a bite from the fresh-from-the-oven buns, with cups of hot tea in our hands and looking over Green Wood Cemetery in the dusk, I have to say, it feels good to be alive.

The Celebration of Excess

The 10 days between Christmas Eve and the day after New Years Day is what I usually call the 'Excess Festival' (some people also call it 'the witching week', nothing you do in this period counts, or Chrimbo Limbo, because you have no idea which day it is) - to enjoy this period, the common (and the only correct) way is to surround yourself with loved ones, eat and drink without guilt and be merry until you drop.  Putting on weight or having onset liver problem is not only accepted but also applauded.  (What is the point of having New Year resolutions if you are not a bit overweight to start with?)

Our first Christmas and New Years in NYC is no exception, even with the confusing weather (New country means new food to binge on).  Han, Paul and Ian have decided to join us from San Diego and spend some quality time with us during the celebration of excess.  (We had a huge success 3 years ago when the 5 of us spent the food week on a cruise ship to Mexico and back.  I didn't remember much about Mexico, but I cannot forget the all you can eat lobsters and the roadside tacos.)

I am therefore dedicating this post to the beauty and the guilt of excess (if you experience no guilt you are not doing it right).

Xmas Eve on 5th Ave.
Forget about the Empire State Building in red and
green, look at the dude in short sleeves!
(It was 23 degree Celsius)

Excess of nerdiness:

Sitting down with your family around a roast turkey is soooo 2013.  Nelson and I officially kicked 'the season' off with a session of 'Star Wars - the Force Awakens' on Xmas Eve.  The movie was great - I am so pleased to see JJ Abrams bringing back realistic and likeable characters and a truly awesome droid buddy BB8.  (R2-D2 eat your heart out) (Jar Jar Binks you can truly go die in shame - and do it quietly please)

Han got me this from the M&M world
I am not a fan of the chocolates but am a
true sucker for all Star Wars jokes.

Excess of people:

Christmas day was celebrated with our friends, and what looks like 5.437 million other people in downtown Manhattan.  After having spent 3 months in New York, I thought I have seen 'lots of people' but obviously I haven't seen nothing yet!

People people everywhere.

The famous Rockefeller Center
Christmas Tree

Due to the unexpected shower that hit us, we ended up spending an interesting couple of hours at the Grand Central Station and explored its famous 'secrets'.  http://bigappled.com/2014/10/17/16-secrets-of-grand-central-terminal/

The backwards constellation
on the ceiling

Woman who suffers from social
anxiety.  Okay just kidding: she is
speaking to her little boy in the
Whispering
Gallery

Nelson's love of jumping in
public spaces is no secret

We went to the American Museum of Natural History on Boxing Day, and it seems everyone else in NYC had the same idea.  I even ran into some ex-colleague from back in Australia in the museum - talking about small world!  On top of the usual exhibitions which I loved, I was particularly impressed by the museum Christmas tree adorned by hundreds of origami animal ornaments.  They are truly beautiful.

AMNH Xmas Tree - How many species can you spot?

Speaking of Christmas trees,
this 'drum' tree at the Battalion Studio (where
Brooklyn Drum Circle holds its meet ups)
is pretty cool, not to mention
environmentally friendly.

Don't let the tranquil scene at Shake Shack fool
you.  This was taken when we finally sat
down after:

- lining up for 5 minutes outside the door in the cold

- lining up for 15 minutes to order

- waiting for 20 minutes for the food, and at the same time,

- lining up for 40 minutes like eaglehawks to get a table

Excess of Uber fare:

One of the mornings I went to Brookfield Plaza at Battery Park City to meet up with the Chueng family for a late breakfast.  The Uber driver literally 'took me for a ride'.  Instead of staying on the west side of Manhattan and making a 15 minute trip, he somehow made his way to the Lower East Side.  I finally lost it when the driver did a U-turn on Allen Street - to which he told me it was because of 'Uber's navigation system' (and then continued to take me to the southern end of Manhattan in order to complete my private scenic tour)

Now I have seen Manhattan.

The positive part of this story is that after I got off the car (yes with a slam of the door) I emailed Uber to complain about the ridiculous route and got an apology and a refund within a few hours.  I get that this is the time of the year when people try to make a bit of extra cash - but doing it knowing Uber tracks all trips means you must take me for a tourist fool.  (Implying I do not look like a local hurts more than the extra $13.43)

Excess of Bling:
I was not planning to talk about shopping as it is one hobby that brings me both pleasure and shame that I wish to keep private (and it is not just a Christmas time hobby either).  However I have to share these amazing blings that hurts my brain and blinds my eyes.  Why?  Why?!  How?  And they are by Dior - this is what happens when you fire Galliano!  I don't care what drunk stupid things he said - send him to rehab or whatever but bring our Johnny back please.

White innocent mary-janes, understated black slip-on's,
elegant grey with decorated bibs, you name it.

For the young girls at heart, ribbons and pink
will make your hearts flutter. (and let's not
forget about the green wall flower to the left)

With shoes like these who needs enemies?

Okay, now I have calmed down a bit after poking both my eye balls with disposable chopsticks, let's have a look at the excess of good food (and good taste):

Grilled chicken hearts how I have missed you!
@ Yakitori Taisho 

Can't decide if you want sashimi don or udon?
Order both to avoid any potential regret.
@ Ootoya Chelsea

What is even better than good food
is good food that comes in 3D.
@ The Plaza Palm Court

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
so make sure you eat well.
@ Foragers

A hot pot a day in winter keeps the doctor away.
(it also keeps the tight fitting pretty dresses away)

If you feel you have eaten too much, a bit of
middle age man arm wrestle helps you burn
excess calories.  Winner gets to pick up the check.
@ Brichiola

The highlight of the 10 day festive has arrived - New Year's Eve.  Back in Sydney everyone spends the day at the beach, drink beer, eat prawns, and wait for the famous fireworks.  Apparently in New York, hardcore NYE celebrators spend their night in nappies while waiting for the ball to drop at Time Square.  Before you accuse me of being judgemental, I really think there is no shame in that - and I think it creates a special bond among friends if you group-purchase a pack of adult diapers (I think that's why they come in unisex options).  And every pharmacy in downtown was promoting the nappies close to NYE it almost feels mainstream to get them.

Adult nappies - not just for love-struck
jealous female astronauts!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Nowak

For the not so hardcore party people like us though, we prefer to get high on pretend real estate and fake money, although the emotion of becoming the next Donald Trump or a disgraceful bankrupt is very real.

5 year old Ian lost interest after 10 minutes or so while we literally rolled on from 2015 to 2016 - I guess it will take him years and years before he learns the enjoyment of crushing your friends, suck them dry and call that 'fun'.  Till then, Ian, you will remain our little innocent angel.  :-)

It is all about Illinois Ave peeps.

On New Years Day I had my first taste of what to expect of New York winter in Central Park.  It is not the type of weather to idle or wait around outdoors.  Brisk walking is good, and hot chocolate is even better (only if the Boat House didn't sell out all their hot chocolate before 5pm).  However, while trying to feel my fingers and made sure my ears were still intact, I looked up to see the blue sky and elegant silhouette of the trees having lost all their leaves, I can't help but feel that as long as you have adequate clothing, NYC is truly a beautiful city in winter.

Thank you lovely friends and family - 2015 had been such a blast.  I am now ready for 2016 - Bring it on!