Considered by some to be the official start of the summer season, the Mermaid Parade has been drawing crowds to Comey Island for decades. Since I first heard about it from a former student, I’ve wanted to attend this annual Coney Island event and Saturday, I finally got there.
I left Albany on the 8:15 train and, upon my arrival at Penn, headed immediately to Crown Heights to meet my friend, T. It was an absolutely stellar weather day and we sunscreened up and caught a train to Coney Island, eager to get there, but not in a particular rush. The ride out to Coney Island was part of the fun as we watched mermaids (and mermen!) board the train in outfits featuring sparkles, netting and elaborate makeup and wigs.
Oh, this was going to be everything I imagined!
At the final stop, we disembarked and became part of the crowd of thousands. The parade route was lined on both sides with spectators, many colorfully dressed and seemingly all in a celebratory mood. After we assessed our options for observing the marchers, we decided to make our way to the boardwalk in the hopes that our view, and the chance of an ocean breeze, would be maximized.
With some effort we got ourselves to the boardwalk, our heads swiveling in all directions as we tried to take in all of the festivities. There was so much to see!
The event absolutely delighted me and I highly recommend attending the Mermaid Parade. The energy was wonderful – upbeat, lighthearted and utterly accepting of all present. Fantastic!
While the primary stimulation for the pervasive positive mood I was soaking in was the parade, there also remained a celebratory vibe courtesy of the Knicks and the pride NYC was reveling in as newly crowned NBA champions. In fact, I quickly discerned that Knicks in five had been adopted as a catch phrase of sorts. I heard it used as a greeting, a cheer and a chant, and each time it made me smile and feel as if I was part of something wonderful and positive. In a country that is presently in a decidedly downward spiral, it felt so good to belong to a winning team!
We went out for dinner at about 9:00 pm and the area in Brooklyn where we dined was a street scene that I don’t know that I’ve ever seen the likes of – the sidewalks were full of people and the aroma of grilling meat. Music was playing and stores remained open far later than what I’ve become accustomed to in Albany. Fancy a hair cut at 10:00? You can do that! Need a manicure? No problem! Hungry or thirsty? Easily addressed on the sidewalk or in a storefront.
It was wonderful.
As was our dinner, partially pictured below, at Camillo.
Sunday morning I left T’s apartment, where he was still sleeping, and grabbed a bagel at Holesome, where I was the only shiksa to be seen. Seeking a spot to sit and enjoy my breakfast, I turned off of Kingston and onto President where I found a stoop to eat my very good (why didn’t I get it toasted?!) sesame bagel with cream cheese and excellent lox. A steady stream of people passed by me on the sidewalk and I was greeted with polite “good mornings”, friendly smiles and even conversation overtures.
It was lovely.
After my last sip of coffee, I walked to Prospect Park where I met my now awake friend. We had talked the previous day about visiting the Botanic Garden, but first we roamed through the park, visiting the doggie beach and a couple of other areas with which T was familiar. Again, the sun was shining in a cloudless sky and families, friends and couples covered grassy areas with blankets and shared food.
After traipsing through the park, including climbing a series of steps that were surprisingly endless, we briefly visited the impressive public library and the Grand Army Plaza before finally making it into the gardens. I had been there once before, many years previously, so it all was new to me. My favorite spot was the Fragrance Garden, where we inhaled the plethora of herbs growing in well maintained beds, with the Children’s Garden a close second.
Done with walking (and at 20,000+ steps for the day) I jumped on the back of T’s Vespa and we took a quick tour around the neighborhood before grabbing some lunch al fresco at Walter’s. We arrived to catch the tail end of brunch service and I ordered the shakshuka with the addition of sliced avocado and it was satisfying with my ideal level of heat.
Needing to get back to Penn for my train home, we returned to T’s apartment and I grabbed my bag to catch a train to Manhattan. I was asleep before we passed the GWB, but woke up about an hour before Albany in time to catch a spectacular Solstice sunset over the Hudson.
Damn, do I love New York! It was a perfect weekend and, with my youngest son maneuvering to move to Brooklyn, I’m excited to come to know it the way I do Manhattan.
Do you have a favorite spot in Brooklyn? Care to share?
DelSo 