Good morning from Brooklyn, where we are currently getting so much rain that there are flood warnings. It’s a real deluge out there and that means I will not be venturing out today. Luckily, I don’t have to. I have a zoom seminar this morning, but I can do that right from the sofa.
Heavens, yesterday was a long, pain-in-the-tush day. In fact, Sunday was as well. I spent two days organizing everything for the trip into the city – washing, packing, cleaning the kitchen, crossing things off my list.
We got out the door around 11 am and then the ‘fun’ began. We’ve driven into Manhattan many times in our 20 years here. It’s crazy, but we’re used to it. But, to get to Brooklyn, specifically the area where I am – Park Slope, is a whole other story. You have to come via the Bronx and several freeways, then down FDR Drive to the Battery Tunnel, which leads to Brooklyn. Since we weren’t used to any of that part of the journey and since we’re dealing with NYC, which is always insane, we missed some turns along the way, but the GPS always corrected and we found a way to get there. By the time we reached Park Slope, we were starving, so we stopped at the Whole Foods that is in this neighborhood, grabbed some food to eat for lunch and also did a bit of shopping. By that time, I was ready to pass out. We ate in the car, and then drove to the apartment, which is on a street where it is virtually impossible to find a parking space. There’s also a school nearby and kids were being picked up by parents and the park across the street was full of kids shooting baskets and skateboarding.
I was immediately worried that my apartment would be full of the sounds of skateboards and balls being dribbled – all day, every day. Annie was busy teaching in Manhattan, so she left the keys in an accessible place and Don double parked. But it’s very narrow on the street, so someone had to stay with the car. I unlocked the front door and managed to drag every suitcase and bag into the foyer. Then Don tried to find a parking space. Please note that I had spent the morning at our house going up and down stairs at least 20 times. Now, I was faced with going up and down two long flights of narrow steps to the apartment, each time lugging something or other.
I have to say by this time, I was frigging exhausted. Don also got winded. We’re just not used to it. The stairs themselves aren’t bad but when you’re carrying lots of stuff after doing the same thing at your house earlier in the morning, well….my body was screaming. In the meantime, Annie got home, so we got to say hello and she got to meet Don. Annie has always been a lovely human being and I knew she and Don would like each other. Don, having not found a parking space, was now parked in an illegal zone, so we decided he should get back on the road and we said a quick goodbye. Fortunately, no ticket. But his journey out of Manhattan was bumper-to-bumper and it took him forever to get home.
I could barely function for a while, but I finally unpacked everything and collapsed on the sofa.
Meanwhile, a bag that held three pairs of shoes wasn’t in the apartment. I only have the pair of sneakers I had on yesterday. Don eventually found it in the trunk of the car, so he’ll bring it when he comes here for the weekend.
It’s a nice apartment – on the top floor of their house. There’s nice sized living room, kitchen and bedroom. It reminds us of the apartment Don stayed in during Margaritaville’s run, except the bedroom and kitchen are bigger. And, the best thing is that the apartment faces the back garden, so no noise from the playground!! You can’t hear it at all. Whew!
I’ll try to take photos some day this week, but today is just too dark.
The girls checking out our temporary digs.
They’re not quite sure what to make of all of this.
More tomorrow, when I have to go get a Covid test, the first of many while I’m here.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
Claudia, I’m so glad you and Don made the trip safely and that you are settled into what seems to be a great apartment for your stay. How nice to be in the same house as your former student and friend. I’ve read a bit about Park Slope in the past few years and I look forward to your posts as you explore the neighborhood. Sherry
It looks neat, but I’ll know more when the weather is better and I can get out and look around.
Stay safe, Sherry.
The drive sounds horrible. I can imagine you were both exhausted.
But you and the girls are there safely and the adventure begins!
Stay safe
Thank you, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Now that you are settled in I hope you will learn to love Brooklyn. It is a fantastic place with lots to offer.
Oh, I know. I’ve stayed here before, working near BAM and Theater for a New Audience. I just haven’t been in Park Slope before. It’s raining cats and dogs right now, so I won’t get out much today.
Stay safe, Terri.
Thank goodness for GPS although Google maps are good also
I have traveled so much that I take I to in stride and moved so muc h
Admittedly we were a little concerned moving the 1000
Miles here or I was.
We were hitting Atlanta at five but
We did fine
Daughter and I used to 12 lane traffic in Indy
Glad u r settled
Will be great experience
When I moved to DC for two months I flew
With two suitcases
Massachusetts for a month I drove and it was less easy
Enjoy enjoy enjoy
So so happy for you
My favorite place other than the ocean.
Thank you, Brenda.
Stay safe.
Glad that you arrived safely after your exhausting journey! The Girls look a bit hesitant but I am sure they’ll settle into their temporary home and get to explore the neighbourhood.
Happy Tuesday!
They’re sitting in one of the chairs right now –
Stay safe, Dee Dee.
Happy to hear you made it safe and sound. Steps ….they do you in every time.
Sounds like you should’ve brought waders…hope you are not flooded. Stay safe! ;)
It’s still raining back at the cottage – it’s been raining there all day. It eventually stopped here in the afternoon. Nevertheless, I stayed in and rested.
Stay safe, Donna.
Wow — no wonder you’re knackered. That would take the stuffing out of anyone. And I’m sure the rain didn’t help a bit. I hope you have time to get a lot of rest before the next steps out. I’m sure once your settled in and have the subway down for that area, it will be fine but I sure do get why it would be a terrible day for you both. Hang in!
I’ll get the subway sort of down, but it will vary depending on where we’re shooting every day. Annie showed me a way to find out the fastest way via subway on Google Maps.
Stay safe. Jeanie.
Oh, goodness!! What a journey. Glad you stopped at Whole Foods so you don’t have to go out today. A day of rest sounds like a very good thing. Not sure if I understood the forecast, but after this, did I hear that a NorEastern is then to follow?? So glad you have a few days to gather your bearings! Hope all is going well. Take care.
I’m not sure. Frankly, I don’t want to know! It’s not raining here, but it’s still raining at home and has been all day.
Stay safe, Chris.
Hi Claudia,
When I heard how the East coast was getting so much rain, all I could think of is you going on your trip! I am glad you finally made it safely. Remember how those things were so easy when we were younger! I am glad you have to stay in today so you get some much needed rest! I love staying in when we have rain, which is not too often in Phoenix. Well, your adventure begins. Know how many people are on this journey with you…..and the girls!!
Stay safe!
Yes, Don said that if we were 20, it wouldn’t phase us one bit.
But we’re not 20!
Stay safe, Deb.
Cities and parking aren’t user friendly at all. Just happy you got there and in and hopefully got some rest. Hugs!
Well there are cities – and then there’s NYC, which is unlike any other place!
Stay safe, Linda.
I am seriously tired just reading about your “adventure.” You and Don are both troopers!! Glad you didn’t have to go out today!
Thank you, Jenny.
Stay safe.
Happy to hear you arrived & are settling in. I lived in Park Slope til I was 26 and in later years would continue to visit my parents several times a month. Oh how I dreaded the drive from Connecticut to Brooklyn- so much traffic, always construction with detours and very aggressive drivers. I love Park Slope and also Brooklyn Heights- I am 66 – and have many wonderful memories of both neighborhoods. Enjoy your stay!
Thanks so much, Liz!
Stay safe.