The Isle of Coney...and SO many bloody Russians!

CONEY ISLAND!!!!! I am elated to report that I fiiiiiiiinally spent time here this evening. Seems ridiculous that I've never been there after living my entire life in the NYC area. Damn, it feels great to cross another thing off my Life To-Do List! I took the B train out to Stillwell Ave, and the Q train back...from Brighton Beach. All this after I enjoyed my 2nd free day of working out at NYSC. Sadly, I had to get my special pass today...though I didn't get the tour or sales pitch, so it still worked out. And I still get that extra day. But back to BROOKLYN. I didn't even get there till about 6:45pm...but you know, it worked out well that way...at least for MY liking. I enjoyed being there as the sun set. It got chilly, mind you...VERY glad I brought my long sleeve shirt to cover up my muscle-baring wife beater. I went all the way out on the pier, stuck my feet in the ocean...which wasn't THAT cold, and leisurely strolled basically the entire boardwalk...till it ended at the Brighton-Manhattan Beach border. And, of course, I explored ASTROLAND, home of the famed CYCLONE. Took plenty of pics. I'm so glad I went. Perfect way to start the summer. I had fun just watching people on the rides, monitoring the Cyclone's moves for when I go next time...WITH someone...and actually go on the rides. Today was just about reconnaissance and doing something different. Just walking the boardwalk and through the streets of Manhattan is fun to me. Me being me, I enjoyed the solitary aspect of my day, the opportunity to think and reflect with the ocean by my side. And the RUSSIANS!! Jesus LORD! Practically everyone around me on the Brighton boardwalk was speaking Russian...old and young both. I found this a tad disturbing...which doesn't bode well for any trips abroad. Nice to ride over the Manhattan Bridge at night, too...seeing the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan all lit up. Well, I'm weary and need to unwind. A good Sunday indeed.