Thursday, April 26th: Brooklyn and then some

It was our first full day in New York City. Mitty met us at the apartment and we started mapping out our day. Maim needed new walking shoes and Mitty a charger for his camera. And we all needed coffee.

Sidebar: Events described in the following blogs may not be in chronological order.

I think we tried to find Mitty's 'camera shop' first. Instead we found a fairly industrial looking building with intercom buzzer access only. Mitty pressed the buzzer and was let in. Maim and I waited outside but made a pact to go in if he didn't come out in 5 minutes. Mitty eventually re-surfaced with directions to an actual camera shop, one that was around the corner from our apartment. I don't think we'll ever know what the first place was/is.

We headed to Metropolitan Avenue and stopped at Momofuku Milk for coffee (Americano with room for milk, please). This was also where I learned a valuable lesson on making sure the lid of the cash dispensing section of the ATM is closed or else your cash is sent shooting out all over the street.

We then headed in some direction where we ended up at the East River State Park, scene of 'the most controversial photo from 9/11'.

The 'shoe store' was no where to be found but we did find the Brooklyn Brewery and some hipster vintage clothing store. We didn't go to either.

We then decided to brave the subway and headed in to Manhattan. We quickly worked out the Metrocard system and off we were to Union Square. Once in Manhattan, we were able to complete our two tasks - Maim's new walking shoes and Mitty's camera charger. Keep up. Mitty even managed to convince Eli at the camera shop to recharge his battery for him while we had lunch.

Then it was off to Times Square to collect a New York Pass for Mitty. By then it had started to rain and we need beer so it was off to check out the so-called trifecta of dive bars. First stop, a sports bar at Times Square. Then we found another bar where we offended a local. Then we accidentally stumbled upon Magnum PI's tittie bar. Then another bar. Then we decided to find New York's version of honkytonk and headed to Rodeo's, where they let you shell peanuts onto the floor and serve beer in red cups.

I'm sure at some point in time we had dinner, I just don't remember where or what. Then we headed to the Bowery and had a beer next to the Bowery Ballroom. It was then time to head home via the Williamsburg Bridge and Maim's excellent navigating skills.