DUMBO!

DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge. It's located in Queens where old factories and warehouses from the 1800s have been converted into galleries, playhouses and expensive apartments.  

I took the East River Ferry there yesterday. It only took 15 minutes to get there from the 34th Street dock where the ferry originates. I was amazed--because there were three stops in-between. For $4 you can stay on the ferry until it lights at Wall Street and begins it's loop back to 34th Street.

I enjoyed a BLT at a place called Al Mar and some lentil soup. The sandwich was made with organic bacon and had plenty of thinly sliced tomatoes (a failure of many BLTs). The waiter was kind enough to orient me towards the "micro" shops nearby, but it was a very quiet afternoon in DUMBO, and the shops' inventories were low. I'm sure on a warm sunny Saturday, it's quite the place to be.

 

All That for $4?!

The realtor for our new apartment in Long Island City told us about the East River Ferry. For $4 (Let me spell that out just in case you ever wanted to take a boat tour around Manhattan--FOUR DOLLARS AND NO CENTS) you can hop on board this express water taxi and in 6 (I feel the need to spell that out, too--SIX) minutes be on a Manhattan sidewalk.

Yesterday I took the Ferry from the Manhattan side on 34th Street and rode it five "stops" down river where I hopped off and got myself a BLT in DUMBO (See my next entry for more on this).

A nice feature about this is you don't have to have a ticket, just hand the ferry operator $4, and you're good to go!

 This is a large ferry, but it's a speed demon!

 Take your gloves off inside the cabin--it's heated!

 Crossing under the Manhattan Bridge

 Commerce along side the ferry.

Heading to Queens

One thing we weren't prepared for when we moved to New York City was the volatility of rent.

Many of my husband's associates have purchased a home here even though they plan only to stay a 3-5 years. One-year leases are the norm, and when that year is up, you can bet the rent will not stay the same or get any lower.

We're moving across the East River to Long Island City in Queens. It's essentially one subway stop away, yet the rent is much more reasonable (for New York, that is.  . . there is nothing reasonable about rent in New York City!)

As I type this entry, I can see our new apartment from my dining room window.

That Was Too Close, Mister!

Bikers are a daring bunch in New York.

It's not unusual in New York to encounter people yelling out to others if they feel their personal space has been compromised or they just escaped death due to the inconsiderate nature of another.

I was walking across 3rd Avenue tonight when this biker came out of nowhere and whisked right behind me. It scared the you know what out of me. However, it felt perfectly normal to shout out "That was too close, mister!"

I'm a New Yorker now.

The Daily News Building

Because we are moving soon, I'm taking better notice of my surroundings in this location. One building that I pass frequently on my way to somewhere else is the News Building on 42nd Street. It formerly housed one of the largest newspapers in the world, The Daily News.

In this spacious and welcoming lobby a giant globe slowly circulates inside a base of black glass. Very impressive!

Built in 1929-30, it no longer houses the Daily News, but the Art Deco building is designated a national landmark. The map is actually updated regularly to keep it current. The Daily News knew their large printing presses would be very noisy, and this location was chosen as a sort of out-of-the way spot. Of course, now it is super prime real estate. Read more about the Daily News and building here.

Saks Christmas Light Show

While waiting for my husband and another couple at Rockefeller Center, I got to see this light show projected onto the front of Saks.  Click the bottom right hand corner to view it full screen.

Cincy Christmas Decore

Here are some pics from my suburban home. 

A snowy forest with little critters.

 

A wooden angel (gift from my sister-in-law) beside my ancient-looking garage sale jug.

My stairway decorated with antique metal snowmen (probably from the 40s) my mother gave me.