one more day

Last full day in New York.
*sigh*
Yesterday, Jenner and I met up with some friends and subwayed out to Coney Island. It's a bit of a ride, but our place is super close to the F train, so at least we didn't have any transfers. Plus, most of the ride is actually above ground, so it's not like you're spending an hour in the dank New York subway underground.
When we finally get out to the Coney Island stop, the first thing that we notice is the heat. OH GOD, THE HEAT. It must have been at least a few degrees hotter than it had been in the city, and it was just SO SUNNY. I mean, not to complain, but we probably could have planned this out a little better. It was so bright out that I was squinting even with my sunglasses on. We walk up and down the boardwalk, checking things out.
There is a pit where you can shoot paintballs at 'the freak' for something like 75 bucks for 20 rounds; there is a long row of food vendors selling corn and drinks and hotdogs; there is a man singing what appears to be karaoke to a crowd of onlookers; and there is every variety of beach freak you could imagine, from a tanned hulk hogan type standing around in tight white boxer briefs and a fanny pack, to a granny in a mini skirt and shimmery bikini top, pushing a walker.
Coney Island is not what I had imagined. First of all, I think that in movies and TV shows, I have only seen it in the Winter months, when it is largely deserted. I had imagined a slightly desolate boardwalk, in the middle of an industrial wasteland. I had imagined that it would be largely devoid of people. This, however, is actually the opposite of the summertime Coney Island that we encounter today. It is SWARMING with people, and actually bordering what appears to be a mixed use residential-commercial neighbourhood. I also didn't know that there was an enormous beach along one side of it; somehow I had thought that there was just a long boardwalk that dropped off into the water. Secondly, I didn't know that there were SO MANY rides on Coney Island, and that it was actually a Playland type amusement park. I had been under the impression that it was basically just the Cyclone and the Ferris Wheel, with a bunch of carnival booths. Interesting.

The last friend that we are waiting for arrives, and we make our way over to the Cyclone. It's 8 dollars, which is an astonishing rip-off, but this is basically what we came out here for, so we all pay it without getting our panties in too much of a knot. I haven't been on a rollercoaster in a while, and as we wait for our turn, I can feel the terror rising in my chest. It seems funny that I am paying to give myself a tiny panic attack. Finally, we board the ride, and are fastened very securely into our seats. Here we go. The first thing that I should mention is that as you round the first corner, you really get the sense that this roller coaster is OLD... and maybe not in the best shape? It creaks and jerks and the wood along the edges looks as though it might rot and fall apart at any moment. This only adds to the nervous feeling that this roller coaster induces. As we climb the first hill, the girls are squealing in fearful anticipation and the boys are laughing, and kind of making fun of us. Finally, we're at the top of the first hill... and AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
I have never been one of those people who can throw my hands up in the air when going down a big drop on a ride; I am usually clutching the bar or the person next to me, with my jaw clenched and breath held tightly, maybe with my eyes closed, trying not to die. Hill after hill, until the hills are no longer large and steep enough to induce panic, this is how I react. The Cyclone is a decently long roller coaster that at the end of you it, you don't feel ripped off. And besides, it's a icon; if you're going to visit Coney Island, it's just something that you have to do. For 5 more dollars, you can immediately ride the the coaster again, but we opt not to. Once was enough.

We walk around some more and debate whether or not to go on another ride, but decide to get a snack instead. We walk over to Nathan's hotdogs, which is apparently somewhat of an institution; this is the place where they have the hotdog eating contests every year. sick.
We order cheese fries, and I am expecting fries with cheese on them, but instead they are fries with what appears to be some reconstituted cheese powder sauce mix that is probably about 3 steps lower than 7/11 nacho cheese. Despite my disgust, I I scarf back some fries, because let's face it, when have I ever been one to turn down a snack; I also kind of feel like disgusting snack food is part of what makes a day at a crappy amusement park complete.

We sit in the sand, in the shade, and try to avoid the ill-behaved screaming mountains of children that are running around us. A few more friends meet us, and we hang out for about half an hour longer, before we decide that WE JUST CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT, so we need to GET THE HELL OUT OF [CONEY ISLAND]
It was a bit of a short stay, but we are all perfectly satisfied. I would like to return here in the fall sometime, when it is less crowded and have a photo date with a friend. I can imagine that without the glaring sun and the crowds that it would be an awesome place to bike around with a good friend, a flask in your back pocket, and a camera slung over your shoulder.
On the train ride back, we are all sleepy and each dose off for at least a moment or two.
We head back to the loft to grab a blanket and use the bathroom and then walk over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park to enjoy the last hours in the sun on this beautiful day. The view from the BBP (this is not a real abbreviation that people use... I used it here because I was lazy, but now here I am typing out this huge explanation... that was useful)... anyways... as I was saying.. the view is AMAZING. The park sits between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, and you can see all of Manhattan across the water, with the Statue of Liberty and Governer's Island to your left. It was the perfect end to the afternoon.
Just after 8, we once again head back to the loft and order pizza and watch true blood. People keep asking me how long I am here for or where I live and it hits me that I am leaving in a few short days and I wonder how I will feel when I get home.
Everything on this trip has just been so perfect and easy; I feel this city calling me. I know that vacations are different from real life, but I just feel so much like there is so much more here that I need to do; so many more people that I need to meet, or that I need to get to know better, so many more bikerides and late night walks and summer concerts and dinners with friends.

After True Blood everyone else leaves and Jenner and I watch Mad Men and then it's time for bed.

Kissing, snuggling, sleeping.
It's the perfect end to the perfect day, and a pretty perfect last weekend in New York.

Today I'm thinking of maaaaaaybe taking the Staten Island Ferry out to get a closer peek at the Statue of Liberty, running around the city a bit (hopefully finding a post office??), and later going to Brooklyn Bowl for some karaoke.
Tomorrow at this time, I will be getting my stuff together and getting ready to head out to Newark to catch my flight.
New York, I love you.