Union Square, I miss you and your humid, crowded self filled with legions of NYU frosh, investment bankers who are taking their 3 minute lunches, Fashion PR ladies who down their iced coffees on their way to the garment district, and random people doing dances for cash.

I do not, however, miss the giant rats who like to scurry by your feet while you’re trying to eat lunch. Ya heard?

Photo: Source

I spent time working at the Maritime Hotel right after graduating from college and I saw lots of crazy people. Rich people. Celebrities. People who spend their lives navigating the hotel nightclub scene..so I had to link this NEW YORK MAGAZINE ARTICLE.

The boutique hotels of New York City can be ultra exclusive and very much a “You’re not cool enough to be here,” type scene. When you work there, you become this fly on the wall to these antics. Then again, I actually met the most interesting people in New York while at work, with earplugs in my ears so my hearing wouldn’t be impaired by the blaring music. Strange.

Photo: Wired New York

This is a predominantly picture post, and thought you’d enjoy some pictures of Brooklyn and downtown NYC. I love the Union Square area, even though it’s become hugely commercial, even more so than when I was an NYU student. It’s super crowded, but the area is quite alive and vibrant.
So…here are some Brooklyn shots.

14th/6th Ave in downtown Manhattan. Random pic, but just love this shot.

Just in case, Trader Joe’s is too crowded.

Fifth Ave

It started snowing on New Year’s Eve as I approached the Union Square Farmers’ Market.

They have the best apples. Seriously.

And my former dorm, Carlyle Hall.

And right next door is Coffee Shop and this Juice Bar where you can grab some green juice to feel healthy though the juice may look like green sludge. It’s Good for YOU! I talked to Juan, a 7 year veteran, of the juice bar, and there were several European tourists behind me who were like, “What is she doing with this contraption taping this poor guy?”

And check out this Obama t-shirt.

I love New York Magazine, perhaps because of its snarky intelligence and just great, great writing. Here’s their list of “Reasons to Love New York.”

I’m going to be in NYC next week and basically can’t wait because I haven’t been there in a year and a half. It’s definitely a city of resilience and where you become street-smart, whether you want to or not. I’ve lived in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, as well as riding the wondrous vehicle known as the N/R. Early morning commutes where you’re scrunched up against a Wall Street type to your left, a Brooklyn hipster to your right, and then a panhandler right in front of you, that opens his jacket and tries to sell you batteries.
You’re thinking, “Wow. Can I just read my Page Six in peace?” I Love NY.