Entry #21.4 / 9th July 2022
Once I stepped onto the Brooklyn grounds, I made my way to Washington Street, which had that famous filmlike view of the Manhattan Bridge. Luckily, a few tourists helped me take some photos standing in the street, and then I managed to get a few good self-timer photos that consisted of me sitting on the street with the bridge in the background (the self-timer photos turned out better than the full street ones).
It was surreal to stand in a place I had seen so many times in films and TV shows (Gossip Girl, looking at you) that you thought wouldn’t match reality, but it was definitely better in person than on screen. The only difference was the overwhelming crowds around me – which surprisingly was easy to tune out with the amount of wanderlust roaring in me.
Though, that wasn’t the only thing roaring in me.
Once I was satisfied with the photos I took, I looked up restaurants within the area and, after seeing the costs on the menu, settled on Cecconi’s Dumbo.
Making my way through the centre building, where a whole lot of restaurants were held, I joined the small queue for Cecconi’s Dumbo and was eventually served.
“Hello there, welcome to Cecconi’s. How many are we serving today?”
“Oh, ugh, just me.”
The server just kept her bright smile, though. “Oh perfect! Would you mind sitting at the bar?”
I returned the bright smile. “Yeah, that’s fine.”
I followed the server to the bar and sat near the open doors, which overlooked the scenery of the Manhattan Bridge.
Once I got comfortable on my bar seat, the server returned, whose bright smile never wavered for a second. “Here’s the menu. Is there anything you want now, or do you want to look first?”
I pushed my lips together. “Do you have orange juice?”
“Yes, we do.”
“Can I have a glass of orange juice, please?”
“Comin’ right up.”
Even though I was reading through the menu, I already knew what I wanted—the cheapest food item on the menu.
Pizza.
Soon, my glass of orange juice was in front of me, along with a jug of water with a glass filled with ice. Which I was grateful for as my water bottle was running low – is it wrong to use it to fill my water bottle?
“Are you ready to order?” The server – Maddie, on the name tag – asked once all the items were settled on the bar.
“Ugh, yes, can I have the Margherita pizza, please?”
“Of course!”
The rest of the time I was waiting for food, I charged and scrolled through my phone. I saw some photos of Coney Island from the others on Instagram and was surprised by the lack of desire—the lack of “oh shoot, I should’ve gone.” This was mainly because I was having such a positive and bright day. I didn’t need anything else on top of it, nor really anyone else.
At some point, two girls sat down at the further end of the bar and soon ordered their own food and drinks.
Minutes went into minutes, and my stomach was begging for some food. But I understood how busy they were as many more people were coming in, so I didn’t ask for an update or anything.
Almost twenty minutes after they arrived, the two girls got their order – Margherita pizza.
I narrowed my eyes slightly but saw it as a positive. Since they have gotten their pizza now, I should be getting it now, too.
But I didn’t; minutes rolled on until Maddie stopped by, and her eyebrows raised.
“Have you not got your pizza yet?”
I shook my head, “No, not yet.”
A flash of determination sparked in Maddie’s eyes as she set off behind the bar and to the kitchen area to find out what was happening.
Another five minutes later, Maddie returned with the pizza in question. I lit up at the sight of food, and once it was placed in front of me, Maddie met my eyes.
“This is on the house.” I blinked in surprise. Your pizza was accidentally given to someone else. So, this is on us.”
“Oh,” I breathed out before rushing out: “Thank you!”
I glanced over to the two girls on the other end of the bar, finishing up on the pizza as one thought ran through my head:
Cool, free pizza!
***
Once I had eaten the pizza and filled up my water bottle, I paid for the two orange juices I had and left a big tip for Maddie. She was one of the most enthusiastic servers I ever met, and she made sure to take care of me, so it was the least I could do.
I then headed back to Washington Street to walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park. It beautifully looked over the East River and New York City. But then, as I walked further into the park, I saw a crowd of people in one part. I couldn’t understand why at first, as the view of the location was blocked by trees and bushes. It was only when I rounded across the pathway that I understood why.
It was a beach—Pebble Beach—where many people were on the pebbles, dipping their feet in the East River’s waters or completely standing in them. There was even a bride and groom on the pebbles, with a photographer taking photos of them.
It was a gorgeous view. The Brooklyn Bridge was not too far away, and NYC was in the distance. The sun was very high in the sky, making the small beach glow and twinkle.
Stepping down the steps to the beach, I slowly removed my trainers and socks. Putting my bag in a safe distance and my phone in my back pocket, I went down onto the pebbles. With a few soft and sharp pokes from the stones below, my feet eventually met the cool waters of the East River.
Oh gosh, I thought as the water splashed on my legs and my toes wiggled in the sea; I dipped my feet in the waters of Brooklyn. How many people can say they’ve done that?
I laughed out loud then, joy and wonder matching the strength of the shining sun above.
“I don’t want you to miss out on anything.”
Rightness cascaded against me with the waves of the river, the world fitting into another puzzle of understanding as Brooklyn charged itself around me.
***