we'd explored our neighborhood coming & going
but decided to make a more concerted effort
by walking towards the East River
our place was on 11th Street near Tompkins Square Park,
which we skirted around & observed from a distance.
between us and the river was Alphabet City,
but we really didn't make it that far
before turning back.
we did discover many community gardens -
probably an initiative to fill vacant lots
& - bonus! - provide some green space
amid all the gray & grit
they were welcome visual respite,
even though most seemed padlocked to visitors.
i think we even spied an urban farm, of sorts
(are those doves?)
&, as always, lots of beautiful murals & environmental art
circling back towards First & Second Avenues,
we explored an old public library
(wonder how often they've found themselves a tourist destination?
never? well, that is how we roll!)
& i found more windows and doors
that were one-of-a-kind
this one reminded me of the Bottle House we saw
near Death Valley in the abandoned town of Rhyolite...
red doors are so nice...but i'm trying to figure out
the purpose of two that must, surely, open
we didn't eat there,
but it looks like we should have!
outdoor dining + moped + mural = NYC
~ love the old neon sign ~
...but looks like someone is homesick...
the moment we found Le Fournil
oh my oh my oh my
i think i got something with apricots
oh my oh my oh my
we really did just keep
walking & walking,
but - honestly -
everything was within
a few evenings later
holdovers from Kleindeutschland
above: Einigkeit Macht Stark
("Unity is Strength")
the stalls of Christmas trees,
which might have made their way
all the way from home
(they were dry enough to indicate
a long journey!)
some people only seemed to want
half of a Christmas tree...
tiny spaces, i guess!
