Inspired by Rita's mission "rescuing things commonly pooh-poohed," I'm going to do the unthinkable and defend... Midtown. Especially Bryant Park--it's actually a pleasant place to sit, unlike Washington Square Park, even pre-construction. Spending too much time in the Village/Union Square area, I'd come to believe that every woman in Manhattan is 15 years old, 90 pounds, and wearing less-than-opaque leggings as pants. In fact, there are fully-clothed, adult men and women in the very same borough, not 30 blocks away! I know this is an odd thing to get excited about, but it's the truth. It's nice to be reminded of a world of working adults, and to be reminded that, at 24, I am not the oldest person in the world, nor, in "skinny" jeans rather than footless tights, the most formally dressed.
And, to put a less narcissistic spin on Midtown's appeal, I will point out that the Japanese takeout place on 41st near the NYPL is both cheap and amazing.
Try the walk up from NYU to the NY Public. It gets a little sketchy north of the Flatiron Building, but you get a lot of good architecture along the way. And the odd good store. Note: Tekserve on 23rd St sells 10-cent Coca-Colas.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've taken that walk countless times, but had no idea about the Cokes. Are they an impressive vintage or something? Why so cheap?
ReplyDeleteOld glass bottles, maybe six ounce size. I suppose so cheap to get their customers into a happy frame of mind.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be reminded of a world of working adults
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm working in Manhattan, I try to get to the Village or Morningside Heights to reminded of a world of non-working adults.