Despite the predicted rain during this unusually rainy summer in New York, this Sunday, August 2nd, my Facebook group "Meet My Friend in NYC" decided to brave the storm to explore the mostly uncharted area of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.
The day started out gray and gloomy, and even though many cancelled, I was surprised at the turnout of those who were insistent on going. Honestly, if it weren't for them, I think I would've stayed in bed under the covers. A friend, Chino, picked me up, as well as two of his friends, Sasha and Tito, who were new to me.
As soon as I got in the car, the raindrops started to fall outside, but in no way whatsoever did it dampen the aura of positivity in that car. The rain seemed to get heavier the closer we got to our destination, but we only laughed harder at the irony of the situation.
I remember Tito saying something like, "I'm glad I came out, because if I stayed home, it would've just been a boring Sunday. At least we're trying something new." He seems to like exploring neighborhoods in the rain - as I recognized him from this video in my friend Chino's blog.
As we kept driving towards the beach, and the rain intensified, I received a text from another friend, Tino, confirming that he is coming with two more friends. They met up with us after Chino, Tito, Sasha and I ate lunch.
We had found a $5.99 lunch special at Primorski Restaurant which included, a cabbage salad, soup, entree and coffee or tea while sitting in Chino's car searching for "the best Russian restaurant in Brighton Beach" on our phones. This one seemed exciting to us, because one of the reviews said mafiosos were often seen there - so of course we opted for it. Wet and cold from running about a block in the pouring rain to the air conditioned restaurant, we each ordered our authentic Russian dishes.
Thank goodness we had Sasha with us, who is of Ukrainian origin, to do some translating, because the waitstaff did not know English too well. She reminisced upon seeing large Russian families gathered around the tables with white table clothes. She said that during the holidays growing up, that after eating all the courses similar to the ones at Primorski, they would simply keep starting the process all over again.
About two hours later, we were stuffed, yet we finished eating our shared dessert of cheese blintzes topped with sour cream and sugar on top - the way my mom taught me. We then ventured outside where the rain had finally subsided. It was perfect timing to meet Tino and his friends who had just arrived.
After finding some coffee in a local shop for Tino's friend, Michael, we started walking to towards the beach, bonding as we went along.
By the time we got to the water, everyone was talking to each other and laughing. Looking back, it was quite the spectacle. Tino was taking pictures of everything and anything, Chino was out and about with his video camera, Tito was walking in the water with his shoes off as he debated whether or not to dive in, and then before I knew it, Tino was taking pictures of the inside of his friend Paul's mouth munching on M&M's.
As we kept walking along the beach, we kept goofing around and being ourselves - basically doing whatever striked our fancy. Tino asked a little girl if he could use one of her toys for one of his photo opportunities. She just stared at all of us with a big smile on her face - as if she was in disbelief that an adult would want to use one of her toys.
I felt like I was on the beach with 5-year-olds, but in a good way. The kind of way that nothing mattered but having fun. Who cares if it was raining earlier and the sand was wet? Who cares if the water in Brighton Beach is polluted? - It's still water. Who cares that we don't really know each other? Let's have fun where we are, with what we have, and who we're with.
So, even though this seventh event of "Meet My Friend in NYC" had the potential of being a disaster, in my opinion, and I think the others might agree, it turned out being one of the best.
Perhaps the recipe to a good time is looking at things through the eyes of a 5-year-old. The next time it rains, don't let it spoil your plans. Go out and have fun in the rain, because you never know what you might discover or the friends you'll meet along the way.
The day started out gray and gloomy, and even though many cancelled, I was surprised at the turnout of those who were insistent on going. Honestly, if it weren't for them, I think I would've stayed in bed under the covers. A friend, Chino, picked me up, as well as two of his friends, Sasha and Tito, who were new to me.
As soon as I got in the car, the raindrops started to fall outside, but in no way whatsoever did it dampen the aura of positivity in that car. The rain seemed to get heavier the closer we got to our destination, but we only laughed harder at the irony of the situation.
I remember Tito saying something like, "I'm glad I came out, because if I stayed home, it would've just been a boring Sunday. At least we're trying something new." He seems to like exploring neighborhoods in the rain - as I recognized him from this video in my friend Chino's blog.
As we kept driving towards the beach, and the rain intensified, I received a text from another friend, Tino, confirming that he is coming with two more friends. They met up with us after Chino, Tito, Sasha and I ate lunch.
We had found a $5.99 lunch special at Primorski Restaurant which included, a cabbage salad, soup, entree and coffee or tea while sitting in Chino's car searching for "the best Russian restaurant in Brighton Beach" on our phones. This one seemed exciting to us, because one of the reviews said mafiosos were often seen there - so of course we opted for it. Wet and cold from running about a block in the pouring rain to the air conditioned restaurant, we each ordered our authentic Russian dishes.
Thank goodness we had Sasha with us, who is of Ukrainian origin, to do some translating, because the waitstaff did not know English too well. She reminisced upon seeing large Russian families gathered around the tables with white table clothes. She said that during the holidays growing up, that after eating all the courses similar to the ones at Primorski, they would simply keep starting the process all over again.
About two hours later, we were stuffed, yet we finished eating our shared dessert of cheese blintzes topped with sour cream and sugar on top - the way my mom taught me. We then ventured outside where the rain had finally subsided. It was perfect timing to meet Tino and his friends who had just arrived.
After finding some coffee in a local shop for Tino's friend, Michael, we started walking to towards the beach, bonding as we went along.
By the time we got to the water, everyone was talking to each other and laughing. Looking back, it was quite the spectacle. Tino was taking pictures of everything and anything, Chino was out and about with his video camera, Tito was walking in the water with his shoes off as he debated whether or not to dive in, and then before I knew it, Tino was taking pictures of the inside of his friend Paul's mouth munching on M&M's.
As we kept walking along the beach, we kept goofing around and being ourselves - basically doing whatever striked our fancy. Tino asked a little girl if he could use one of her toys for one of his photo opportunities. She just stared at all of us with a big smile on her face - as if she was in disbelief that an adult would want to use one of her toys.
I felt like I was on the beach with 5-year-olds, but in a good way. The kind of way that nothing mattered but having fun. Who cares if it was raining earlier and the sand was wet? Who cares if the water in Brighton Beach is polluted? - It's still water. Who cares that we don't really know each other? Let's have fun where we are, with what we have, and who we're with.
So, even though this seventh event of "Meet My Friend in NYC" had the potential of being a disaster, in my opinion, and I think the others might agree, it turned out being one of the best.
Perhaps the recipe to a good time is looking at things through the eyes of a 5-year-old. The next time it rains, don't let it spoil your plans. Go out and have fun in the rain, because you never know what you might discover or the friends you'll meet along the way.
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