For those living on a grad school budget, a weekend getaway to milder climes is as feasible as… well, I can't even complete the simile. I think the scorching temps have fried whatever brain cells I had left. Picture the sunny-side up egg in the "This is your brain on drugs" public service announcement starring Rachel Leigh Cook and you'll understand my state of mind. The effects of heat and humidity on the noggin are comparable to that of a narcotic's: NYC inhabitants walk around dazed, confused, and suffering from cotton-mouth. But what's a broke journalism grad student to do when Sallie Mae refuses to fund a trip to the Hamptons?
Yesterday afternoon, I took the 1 train to South Ferry and boarded the prison-orange Staten Island ferry for a cool, breezy jaunt on the Hudson River.
My friends and I raced to the top deck and waved goodbye to sweltering Manhattan and said hello open water. We were lucky enough to be on the starboard side so we had a fantastic view of Lady Liberty. When we got thirsty, we made our way down for $3 beers—cans, no bottles. The bar is sparsely decorated with gleaming stainless steel instead of campy, nautical décor I expected. It's not Babette's, but there's fresh popcorn, pretzels, and hot dogs to snack on. And most importantly, if one popped too many tabs of domestic beverages, one doesn't have to wait in a long line to use the sparkling clean facilities. While the ferry isn't a yacht bobbing on the Atlantic, it beats sweating on the city's sidewalks and in the subways.
Trips to and from Staten Island run every half-hour. Admission is free. My only other tip is to resist the temptation of sitting on the railing, no matter how debonair you may look or what an awesome facebook pic it would make. Have fun and bon voyage!
No comments:
Post a Comment