Can a Brooklynite be a flaneur? Am I one already? I've embarked on a new project, because I'm a projaholic--I'm attempting to walk every single street in my beloved borough. Started about a week ago. I'm tracking progress in Google Maps. This is going to take me years.
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So far I've noticed a few things I never saw before. Community gardens in Coney Island (on Mermaid and Neptune) are like small farms, with the beach nearby. Swans collect in Sheepshead bay, must be the time of year, and they are very friendly. I think I disappointed them, talking without feeding. Also discovered that a rain poncho is dorky but effective.
10 comments:
Wow, I wholeheartedly support your quest. I may try one for myself, for my new town.
I may try this, too! And since you're a confessed projahol, this is what you need to do. Get a domain like walkyourtown.com or walkthestreets or whatever and have people join and post blog entries about walking in their cities. And then the Today show and other TV programs will come calling, you'll be featured in Oprah and Real Simple and you'll have a book deal in no time.
I'm all about blogging my way to dollars these days. But I might seriously do this. I have a deadline coming up, so I think I'll start in January.
Walk on, Anne!
Three years ago I did a project where I visited every public library in Brooklyn (60 branches) using public transportation--really got me out into Brooklyn. Keep us posted on what you find.
You're the second Brooklyn blogger I know to drop the f-bomb in five days.
What the flâneur is going on?
Thanks for your support Gee, Eliz, Ellie, and Rob. Each of you speaks with authority on the subject!
Elizabeth, maybe you should do the walk-blog-dollar thing. I don't have the energy to walk AND do that...
And Rob, I have to say this isn't the best time of year for Brooklynites to become flaneurs, but I guess I'm part of a trend. I will hold my head high, chapped face and all, and enjoy!
Do you have a map update?
Gee: the map should update...I've been drawing new lines as I take walks and far as I can tell this is a live link to the yahoo map. But I could be wrong.
Sorry I haven't been reporting back...I have been walking. Last weekend I spent some time in Flatlands and Canarsie. The weekend before I went to Bensonhurst & Dyker Heights...xmas lights not up yet. Oh well. I'll be back!
DANG! It is updating and I am majorly impresticated! (my view was too small to get the full effect of your wandering)
What a cool idea!! (But wouldn't it be easier in the spring?)
Mary, you have a point there. It's been pretty warm here lately, but it won't stay that way. Proper attire is essential!
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