There are days when I walk around my neighborhood just to soak up the nuances that make it so gorgeous. For so long, this part of the City seemed like a foreign land to me, especially the utter quiet that would ensue after banking hours and on the weekends.
I remember walking around, pregnant with my daughter, longing for my friends in the East Village. There, I had so many neighborhood people with whom I had day-to-day relationships. There was an Indian grocer who loved to haggle with me in a loud voice. I would sometimes sit at home making up certain, special insults for him, and when I went into his store, he would teach me all kinds of other, special insults. Then, after several minutes of this back and forth, he would add a gooey brightly colored sweet in with my purchases for free, and we would smile at each other.
Two best friends in their 40′s and 50′s would invite me over for fresh baby coconut, opened at the eye with a small hammer. We would sit out on the tiny terrace and giggle like teenagers sucking out the water and scooping out the flesh with a straw.
The messes of friends who put up with all my messes and I with theirs.
I would long for the simple diversity without which life seemed a little paler:
Where are the girls in Japanese street fashion?
Where are the boys with the piercings all over and their ubiquitous pit bulls?
Where are the grannies and grampies push push pushing their carts up the street, pausing for moments to talk to one another or themselves or to catch a breath?
Where can we go to eat a pierogi at 3 am and tuck into a big cone of belgian frites at 4?
Tribeca took a while to grow on me. Where my love for my old neighborhood was instant and passionate, falling in love with Tribeca happened cautiously and only began to take place when I took time to notice the details. Here, you could swoon over the little flowers and gargoyles and nooks and crannies.
A good friend from our neighborhood just told us that she and her family, all dear friends to the big ones and little ones in our family, are moving far away in a month.
My heart sank with the news. How precious they are, this beautiful family with whom I feel such a connection. It turns out that it is not just the small architectural details that have slowly turned this place into home, but also the rare friendships.
For other corner views, click around here:
24/03/2010 at 3:42 am Permalink
There is so much to do in the city. Never a dull moment. Yummm fresh conconut- reminds me of my daddy. He would do the hard work and I would enjoy. It is sad to say good bye to good friends. My heart is with you. xo
24/03/2010 at 5:43 am Permalink
Some neighborhoods and homes always hold a special place in our hearts. The city block where I grew up was the whole world to me, and even now when I go back and see it in all its plain grayness I smile. Tribeca looks like a nice place to be.
24/03/2010 at 12:31 pm Permalink
I have never been to this part of New York City, but I hear it is amazing. I have always wanted tot go to the meat packing distric because I hear there is some amazing restaurants there.
24/03/2010 at 2:41 pm Permalink
Humm… New York, New York… Such amazing city, so many architectures here… I'm in love with New York, definitely. Thanks ; )
24/03/2010 at 3:24 pm Permalink
This is such a lovely post, Cate. Neighborhoods become such a part of ourselves I find. The people, their stories… Our little world within the bigger one.
24/03/2010 at 4:19 pm Permalink
Thanks for the "visit" of this special place. I can understand your feelings ; I grew up in a small town and came to Paris when I was 20… I like your idea of falling in love "cautiously". That's it !
24/03/2010 at 6:01 pm Permalink
Oh, I love your words! Now I want to move to NYC! That would be grand, actually!
Happy Day, Cate!
24/03/2010 at 7:32 pm Permalink
Such a great post ! I love reading about 'the journey' of you falling in love with Tribeca …
24/03/2010 at 8:53 pm Permalink
Love the details of the buildings – so often missed as we walk around too busy to look up. Good friends nearby make such a difference – I so miss this.
24/03/2010 at 9:25 pm Permalink
Beautiful post Cate!
24/03/2010 at 11:01 pm Permalink
I love the color in your pictures. You could tell you loved your home just by the pictures. But then to read your lovely words,well you made me fall in love with it too. Great post!
24/03/2010 at 11:12 pm Permalink
What a great post – so many memories and some beautiful buildings. To us non-New Yorkers, New York is much the same, it's good to hear about the small differences that make the neighbourhoods and the city what it is!
25/03/2010 at 4:29 am Permalink
You've really epitomized transitioning to a new home/neighborhood…really well said.
25/03/2010 at 10:04 am Permalink
hey missy. wow. nostalgia ahoy and this ninja just fell into it. head first.
I'm with the dessert girl up there and having moved in december I'm still kind of getting to grips with my new area. I also heard this week two good friends are leaving in a few months. it doesn't get any easier, does it? you don't exactly lose them but, then again… this is when I think what parents with children living abroad must feel every time we visit and leave again.
jee. see what you've done to me now? nostalgia and melancholy ahoy. stop it, ninja has a reputation to protect ;P
and I loved tribeca when I was over. next time I'm dear I'll stalk you for a bit pretending I'm your new best mate. are you game?
26/03/2010 at 3:56 am Permalink
cate, i thought i was going to leave happily free of my sidewalks and now i might have to go kiss them and you! luckily, friends are friends no matter they are. k
26/03/2010 at 5:21 pm Permalink
lovely post!
26/03/2010 at 9:25 pm Permalink
god i just wanted to keep on reading. you have such a special way with words… i swear there is a hint of a novel in that post:) hugs!