Jules Heartly | April 5th 2022

Rediscovering New York City Neighborhoods.

“I love Manhattan”  is a phrase I have said over and over.  And It is true, having spent most of my professional career working in the big apple, I never got tired of it.  I cherished its busy streets and the Not too busy ones.  I enjoyed listening to street conversations in almost any known language, kind of like it would be to climb up the real babel tower.  Although the tourist crowds are a bit too much at times, I liked them too.  They have a vibe, an energetic one that adds to Manhattan’s own.

That is the city I cherished, which unfortunately exists mostly in my memory, as it has changed a lot since the times before the Covid19 Pandemic.  Its streets have taken a toll,  a lot of businesses are no longer there, but the worst part is the street inhabitants, the homeless, the drug addicts,  and the mentally ill.   The downtown and even midtown scenes are of an abandoned third world city, suddenly brought back to life with returning workers.  

The subways -which never have been the best part of the city life–  are the nest of fear and unpleasantries as mentally ill homeless have made of it, their palace and racism use it as a preferred stage. 

 As I was recently stalked while riding a subway train, and needed the help of another commuter and then of a police officer to navigate my way out of it, I have become hesitant to ride the #MTA NYC Subway. 

The advantage of being able to work from home, has made the desire to go to the city a mostly remote one.   I  missed it but is it worth taking the risk? 

And then on a recent day off, during a spring-like weather day, my girlfriend came up with the idea of going for a walk at one of the newest NYC Manhattan parks, The Little Island. 

Being a weekday, driving there was not an option and taking the subway was not even a consideration.   We agreed on getting a car service to the city but as other things delayed our departure, we settled on going for a hike at a nearby Queens trail. 

“We should get something to eat and a drink or so,”  she said afterwards.  As it had been part of the plan of going to Manhattan for a day.  To let our path lead us to a good restaurant.   A place to eat at ease and blend in with a happy hour.  But we were in Queens.  And we thought we knew most of the places in the   neighborhood we ended up at, Forest Hills.   We were thirsty after our hike and the sun was reminding us of how strong it could be felt on a spring day. 

As our feet rolled down on the easy streets, we stopped at #Dylans, a place with tables outside, beautifully adorned with fresh flower vases.   A reminder of the good things the pandemic left in NYC,  more “al fresco” places. 

We settled down there  and after a few minutes a lady with a smile brighten face, came out  to take our order.  As the afternoon strolled in and the evening started to knock on our table, we engaged in a neighborly conversation with Maurie, our waitress.    “You guys should come back later for the live show!”  she said towards the end.    

I have always been a fan of live music.  I enjoyed listening to it at places in  Soho, Tribeca  or in the East Village.   

My best memories are of going to those venues with a friend or two and leaving after meeting all sorts of great artists, musicians, painters,writers, journalists, etc.  It was always this lively medley of interesting people meeting unexpectedly around the music performed live.  It felt like each venue left me with a spring bouquet of assorted flowers but of people. 

And that was the same feeling I got  after returning that evening to #Dylans, following  the waitress’s suggestion. 

We found ourselves immersed in music waves brought on by each and every artist that performed that night.  Musicians that inspired great conversations and guided us to meet and interwoven with fellow writers, painters, and other artists.  Creative minds vibrating together, mingled, mixed, fused with the joy music brings and the vivid emotions flowering from the hearts and the inner dancing bodies. 

When we left the place, with my being drowned in joyful emotions, soaked in feeling-good vibes and my phone crowded with the names and numbers of the endearing people I met, I was thankful not having traveled to my beloved Manhattan and of finding such a fantastic venue as Dylans  in Forest Hills, Queens. 

The drinks were good, the food was great, the service outstanding and the live music was apotheotic!

 Among other artists,  we got to see Grammy and Emmy Award winning Flamenco guitarist Hernan Romero with Manuel Carro and Maria Victoria.  Also  Frank Persico, Tommy Cole and Chris Vega & Power.  

Cheers to it.   And always looking at the bright side, let’s explore and let our steps take us to hidden gems. They could be right in your neighborhood and where you least expect.

Thank you for reading my blog.   I would love for you to share your stories of neighborhood places you discovered in unanticipated ways. 

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