This week New York launched a new ferry service along the East River, pingponging between the Manhattan and Brooklyn banks from 34th to Wall Street. All rides are free during the two-week trial run, after which a one-way trip will relieve the seafarer of four greenbacks. The ferry, a smaller, cleaner version of its elder Staten Island brethren, offers a leisurely cruise down the east side of Manhattan island, passing Hunter's Point, the Williamsburg waterfront, the Domino Sugar Factory, Empire Fulton Park, underneath three of our finest bridges, and finally coming to berth at the South Street Seaport. As I understand it the route will at times be extended to Governor's Island.
As far as the competitive mode of transportation which the city predicts, I don't see much practical value. The journey is entirely too slow to compete with the subway. And unless you happen to live near one of the several piers at which the boat stops, a ride on a bus or train will be necessary to reach the waterfront anyway. Once you've subjected yourself to the brutal indignities of the subway, I figure you might as well ride it out to your destination. The city claims ridership is higher than expected the first week, but of course a. it's currently free, and b. the novelty of seeing what it's all about is still fresh. Nearly everyone aboard when I rode was armed with a camera and clearly not commuting to work.
The ferry's fate is yet to be determined, and with any luck my doubts will be proven groundless. Anything which threatens to harpoon the MTA's stranglehold on the public has my support. Meanwhile here are a few sightings from my voyage.
Awaiting the ferry on an overcast morning.
The pier at 34th Street.
Our steadfast captain at the helm.
Hunter's Point.
The Greenpoint pier and eager gathering.
A backwards glance at Manhattan.
The Williamsburg pier.
The Domino Sugar Factory of South Williamsburg.
Beneath the Williamsburg Bridge.
The Manhattan end of the Williamsburg Bridge.
The Manhattan Bridge leading to DUMBO.
17 June 2011
The East River Ferry
Bloomsday in New York
Bloomsday in New York kicked off long before I did behind the library in Bryant Park, where breakfast was served to the assembled James Joyce enthusiasts. Arriving late, I failed to note if mutton kidney was the main offering, but anyone familiar with the Calypso chapter of Ulysses knows it would've been appropriate. Many readers recited lengthy passages from the novel and many of the audience wore period costumes. The Cyclops chapter was a real crowd pleaser. Uninformed parkgoers approached on tiptoe, curious as to what all the kerfuffle was about.
That evening another reading took place at the Brooklyn Lyceum. This one was headed by "resident Joycean scholar," Emmet McGowan. Many volunteers contributed and much Guinness was consumed. The evening was mischievously dedicated to the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice.
Yet another event took place at the Housing Works Bookstore in Soho, the highlight of which was a humorous fifteen minute encapsulation of the weighty tome for those who may not have gotten around to reading it for themselves, or for those in need of a quick refresher. Music was provided by the indie all-star band, Bambi Kino. Unfortunately my phone decided not to save any of these photos, so you'll have to take my word that it happened.
05 June 2011
Bushwick Open Studios
The Bushwick Open Studios weekend is a good excuse to get inside artists' studios, snoop around and enjoy the complimentary olives. Some of the more eyecatching art, however, can be found outside, down a nearby alley known as Vandervoort Place.
