Trains...Planes...Automobiles...and plenty of Stairs...

Monday...

I said good-bye to my beloved Brooklyn...per usual, you were so GOOD to me. I also need to offer a sincere apology to all my peeps that did not even know that I was in town until after I left.  Remember, I was only there for two days...I did a lot, but there was no way I could squeeze in the additional 20 plus folks that felt they should have been on my "must see" list.  Besides, I'll be back in the big Apple soon enough!  Like in twenty-nine days to be exact.

It rained all day in NY, which was cool.  I was dog tired,

and  I needed to repack.  Ayana also needed to pack for her upcoming move to Fort Greene.  Courtney picked me up and we made it to JFK in no time at all.  I wasn't sad to go...but I was already looking forward to touching back down in New York next month.  Not sure if I'll stay in Fort Greene with Ayana or if perhaps I'll give the Bronx a try...time will tell.

Courtney dropped me off at the Air France terminal...because I was flying on Air France.  Made sense to him.  Made sense to me.  Air France doesn't fly to Barcelona from JFK.  They use Delta (part of that whole Air France/Delta/KLM/Alitalia merger thingamajig http://www.joc.com/air-expedited/alitalia-joins-air-france-klm-delta-alliance), which was in a whole other terminal.  No sweat.  We arrived at the airport two and a half hours early, for just this type of emergency.  I rolled my suitcases to the Air Tram and made it to Delta with plenty of time to spare.   I got in line to weigh my bag...Courtney swore that it weighed a THOUSAND pounds.  I assured him that the bag only weighed 50.  It just seemed heavy because his arms are so skinny.  He's 6'6 but he's definitely on the slim side.  I was in line at Delta...the line a Delta agent personally directed me too...only to be told that I needed to have my passport scanned first and then I could get in line to check my bag.  No problem.  I still had a good 1:45 before my plane took off.  I scanned the passport...always secretly afraid that there is some "no fly" chip hidden in it based on my wannabe militant black/power to the people ways...but the passport was cleared and I was issued a ticket and now directed to the correct check baggage line.

It was all good.  I still had a good hour before I was scheduled to fly out. I was finally at the right counter with the right papers in hand.  I heard other agents telling people that they needed to take out a pair of jeans, socks, a jacket, whatever- because of their luggage being 53 or 54 pounds.  Dang!  Here goes...I placed my bag on the scale...coolly smiled at the nice little Indian agent lady and watched the numbers roll like a Vegas slot machine.  It stopped on 51.5 pounds.  I said, "I'm a pound and a half over.  Do I need to take things out?"  The agent and I both looked at all the people to my left and right unpacking and repacking trying to reach the desired weight, and we both came to the same conclusion at the exact same time.  That was some bullsh*t.  She said, "Nope." and checked my bag in without further discussion.

My flight to Barcelona was pretty nondescript.  I was sandwiched between two people...To my left sat a Spanish gentleman that was very caring. (Not that I needed to be cared for, but I think I bring that out of men naturally.  I'm not sure if it's the baby face, high voice or mischievous demeanor...but it all kind of works together for the greater good.)  To my right sat a black woman from Grenada on her way to see her man for her birthday. She was looking forward to staying in the house with him and making passionate love for at least the first two days.  I hope it all worked out.  It's amazing what people share when sitting next to you on a flight.  I slept most of the eight hour flight.  I wasn't feeling that well.  I think I caught a cold in NY.  I was tired and I had a slight fever.  My body ached all over.  I slept through dinner and breakfast on the plane. Not sure what they served but I didn't miss it.  When I woke up, they brought me plenty of orange juice and hot tea, which was great.

Outdoor Sculpture at Barcelona (BCN) Airport - Terminal C

Tuesday...

When we landed in Barcelona I was in no mood to do anything but sleep.  The airport was completely empty and QUIET.  The Spanish do not get up early to travel.  It was already 8:00 AM local time, but the airport was practically deserted.  Even when we went through customs, they were so quiet and barely looked at my passport.  Once we cleared customs and were released into the general population...it was a bit more occupied.  I had to get a boarding pass for my flight to France and confirm that I had luggage traveling from JFK.  In addition, I changed my flight to the next available flight to Paris.  I decided not to spend the day in Spain.  I was feeling pretty sick and wanted to get settled as soon as possible.  I ended up spending maybe 2 hours in Spain before I was able to jump on an Air France commuter flight.  I'm stopping in Madrid when I leave Paris, so I'll see a little of Spain then.

The moment I got to Paris, I instantly felt better. I think I was just ready to be someplace where I could settle down for more than a second.  I arrived at ORLY airport and caught the Air France shuttle to Charles de Gaulle Etoile and then I had only one Metro stop to go before I would reach the apartment.  If you've never been to Paris...it's best to travel light.  I managed to have only two bags, but they were not light. They were on wheels which was great when walking on flat surfaces.  But the subways have plenty of stairs and NO elevators.  Which leads to my next adventure....

Imagine dragging your luggage up here...

When I arrived on my block I was pleasantly surprised.  It's a cool area in the 8th /17th  arrondissement  (district) referred to as Place des Ternes.  Lots of restaurants, shops, and historic sites are all within walking distance.  It's considered a premiere location in Paris.  The apartment building was built in the early 1800's.  The hallways look like the building is falling apart, but I don't think they've been painted since the were originally painted 200 years ago...for real.  Oh yeah...no elevators.  I'm staying in a maid's quarter on the sixth floor.  The apartment consists of a living area, a kitchenette and a tiny bathroom with a shower.  But get this...there is a washing machine in the apartment.  It's very modern and well maintained on the inside.  I like it a lot...the only problem...it's on the sixth floor!!!  No elevators.  Thank GOD that I've been working out.  It's the only way I was able to get both suitcases up six flights of stairs by myself.

My block

View from my window

Once I got settled in the apartment, it was all I could do not to pass out.  I don't think I ate.  I fell asleep and woke up around 3AM Parisian time.  It took a day or two for my body to adjust.  Plus, I was still fighting a cold.

The Mellow Moods of Sunday...

Sunday...

I spent Sunday in Brooklyn all day...amazing time.  It's funny...I was the one visiting, but I ended up reminding Ayana about the Atlantic Antic Festival http://www.atlanticave.org/antic2010/index.htm taking place in Fort Greene.  We ended up at the festival around 3pm and almost immediately parted ways.  Ayana had her heart set on a particular cookie and I was in desperate need of Jamaican food.  Los Angeles has a few spots that are ookkkkaaaayyyy....but Brooklyn has a slamming array of "whole in the wall" spots every 20 feet.

I went left while Ayana went right and that was all she wrote.  Wouldn't see her again until I got back to the crash spot later.    For those that don't know...Atlantic Antic is like a giant bizarre.  Food stands, clothing vendors, musicians, singers, and people.  It's really family oriented...and for the first time in my life...I actually thought that this might be an event that I could see myself attending with a (gulp) husband and baby in tow.

-Sidebar-  Still single, can't even really say that I'm looking...but I'm open to the attention that seems to be effortlessly flowing my way...but I digress.

I'm a loner at heart.  I love crowds.  I love my friends being around...but at the end of the day, I like the option of rolling solo.  It must be an "only child" type of thing.  I'm technically not...but for all practical purposes...I am.

I got the Jamaican food and it was decent...not the BEST EVA...but good enough to satiate my cravings.  It also came with an attitude from this woman, whose Jamaican accent was THICK, but claimed she couldn't understand me.  So...me being an ass...I decided to articulate with the diction that would have impressed Maya Angelou.  =)





Yo!!!...can I just say...NYC has some fine cops.  I like'em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican and Haitian.  I took a photo with one...the pic is crazy...that's because I brushed up against his gun by mistake and he was like, "You can hold it."  WTF???  Wow.

Let's just hope he was kidding.  He did ask me for my number...but I politely declined.  Cops are crazy.  I know.  Some of my friends are in law enforcement.

So after I stuffed myself with Funnel Cake and a snow cone for dessert...I felt obligated to walk it off around Fort Greene.  I can't help but feel like I'm in an early Spike Lee Joint as I roll through the streets.  The only thing missing was Mookie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097216/ sitting on a stoop.

I found a sweet bookstore that I highly recommend if you're in Fort Greene called Greenlight Bookstore http://abookstoreinbrooklyn.blogspot.com/.  I picked up a Time-Out Paris 2011 guide.  I figured I'd actually take a few of the walking tours and off the beaten path ideas to heart, since I'll be there for a month.  The vibe of the store is very eclectic without trying too hard.  A solid selection of current and non-traditional titles.  It's not a giant space, but I love that they've carved out a special play/art/reading section for kids.  I don't have any shorties...but I do believe it's important to encourage them to read for enjoyment early on.


After fantasizing about buying two brownstones and knocking down the dividing wall to make it one super dope crib...I decided to high tail it back to Bedstuy/Crown Heights...and catch a few zzzz's before Courtney Long, my HU big brother and author   extraordinaire, picked me up for some late night mayhem.

Manhattan view from Brooklyn Heights

Courtney scooped me up around 10:30 and we headed to a Cafe Ra http://www.racafenyc.com/index.html inspired spot in Brooklyn Heights...but it was closed.  So we took a few pics of Manhattan from Brooklyn Heights and decided to role to DUMBO  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUMBO,_Brooklyn instead.  Lot's of trendy bars and spots if you can ever maneuver through all of the one way streets...






We started off at this super sexy spot called the Rebar http://rebarnyc.com/ but the vibe wasn't right for our brother/sister style relationship.  I'll definitely go back...but probably on a date.

We ended up at SuperFine http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/superfine/ because I was attracted to the orange and red lanterns and the pretty colors.  I love that no matter the hour...something is always popping off in the cut of New York...even on a Sunday.   We had a blast!  First of all...Ayana reminded me that when Courtney and I get together...we're a hot mess.  Separately,  we're tolerable.  Together...slightly obnoxious.  (You can ask Bob...I'll get to him later.) Actually...I'll tell you about Bob now.

DUMBO

SuperFine has a cool little pool table and Courtney and I decided to enjoy our Pineapple Cranberry drinks over a friendly game of pool.  So this dude...Bob...is playing pool by himself.  Courtney and I join in and decide to play.  Well...up first...me against Bob.  Let me say that I am NOT a pool aficionado.  I know the rules...and I play decent.  Not horrible, but no expert.  Well...Bob is like the next Minnesota Fats http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Fats in training.  Dude has skills.  He beats me easily...no worries.  Courtney is cheering me on for my efforts, and booing the heck out of Bob.  It's all laughs and giggles...or is it?  Anywho...Courtney played next and Bob just as easily disposed of Courtney.  I'm taking a zillion pics...talking ish to Bob and encouraging Courtney the entire time.   So fast forward and we watch Bob destroy everyone that steps to the table.  Finally, one guy appears to have a shot at beating Bob and Courtney and I cheer like it's our home team in the Olympics.  Well...Bob got PISSED.  He walks over to us all angry...(no worries on my part, Courtney is 6'5 and from Brooklyn) and says, "Do I give you grief when you play???!!!  No.  Do I boo you??  No.  It's unsportsmanlike and I f*cking hate it!"

Bob is in the background behind me!

(Pause)


Courtney and I process that Bob was SERIOUS.  What do we do?  The only thing we could.  We busted out laughing so hard until our sides hurt and tears were running down our faces.  Then we started clowning Bob intentionally.  We were like, "Maybe he's playing pool for Haiti...no wait...have you heard of a hunger strike...he's on a pool strike for world peace!"  LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Yeah...I'm sure that was NOT the response Bob wanted...but whatever...it's Brooklyn.


Courtney and I wrapped up the evening around 1AM after riding around looking at fly mansions and renovated lofts where warehouses and public housing once stood.  I snapped a few pics of lower Manhattan...and was off to the crash spot.

Monday was going to be a long day.  Repacking...and leaving not only New York but North America.

Next stop...Barcelona.

Living for the Weekend...NYC style.

Saturday....

I arrived in NYC on Saturday afternoon...it was hotter than expected.  95 degrees in late September...but I welcomed the heat.  I was so stoked to be in the city.  My whole mood and ways of expression changed when I landed.  I'm much more my authentic self in New York...

First line of business...I had to get myself from JFK to Crown Heights/Bedstuy in Brooklyn with my luggage.  Fortunately, I was smart enough to travel with only two bags.  Both on wheels with handles very key when manuevering the subway.  The Air Tran connects directly to the A line which was so COOL, since that was the train I needed.  When I reached my stop...I saw a young cat run down the stairs and I politely asked him to run back up the stairs carrying my luggage. =)  He did.  I LOVE Brooklyn.  When I came above ground...it was a whole new world.  I understand why people consider Brooklyn a PLANET...it's its own steez.  Haitians flirting in french, West Indians selling, Africans braiding, Indians, Latinos...all living in close quarters and the best part of all...crowded sidewalks.  Instantly I felt right at home.  In New York...I'm not a tourist.  I stay in neighborhoods, I've got a crew...and I know the city...best of all...I feel like the city knows me.

Fast forward a few hours and a fresh shower later...my girl Ayana (the dopest artist turned purse designer that you've ever seen...but don't take my word...pick up September AND October's issue of Essence magazine...that's right, she's so dope they had to publish her twice yanahandbags.com or check out the interview with MSNBC) and I roll out to SoHo to do a little window shopping on Spring Street and run a few errands.  The vibe...so dope.  Food, couture shops, and architecture and design...New York is style heaven.

My girl Talleah (independent documentary film producer....she's the ish) met up with Ayana and me in Tribeca.  Ayana had to head out on bidness so Talleah and I ended up at springstreetnatural.com eating the yummiest vegetarian taco salads and cucumber and pineapple/lemonades ever.  Talleah recently moved to NYC from L.A. with her husband...something I'm thinking about...the move...not so sold on the husband part...but that's a different story for a different time.  We hadn't seen each other in a few months so it was good to break bread and laugh about the old and new...like we always do.

My homie Craig (Morehouse man...NY/Jersey lawyer) rolled through and scooped us up after dinner.  We dropped Talleah home in Chelsea and headed over to the East Village.  Craig and I...it was destiny.  We've been cool for like forever and a day and our connection is SO strong that we can't even explain it. We just make each other feel better, and we're always there at the right time.  It's kind of cool to have that kindred spirit.  We've had so many broken relationships between us...grown so much...prayed together, for each other...and most of all...laughed together like the way genuine friends can...without inhibitions.  After walking around the Village...then heading over to the Chelsea Pier...I was dog tired.  The lack of sleep finally hit me.  Craig drove me back to Yana's in Brooklyn...and I was out like a light.

Not a bad start on the first day of the rest of my life.

Last Train To Paris...

It's the wee hours of the morning...and I should be sleeping.  I am leaving Los Angeles in 5 hours...heading east.  It'll be 5 weeks before I return...two finished scripts, a life time worth of memories, and a clearer understanding of self are what I intend to bring back with me.  Sometimes...I just need to step away from my surroundings...take a breather from the studio...and reconnect with my soul.  5 weeks.  I pray it's enough time.