For Franz Ferdinand

(me eating a Coney dog at Coney Island!)

Today was wonderful. Simple as that. I woke up, tangled in my sheets desperate to get back the dream I'd had the night before. It had something to do with friends and a play and I knew it was good. But instead of falling back onto the pillow I got up and got ready for the day. Dressed in a vintage inspired outfit, fitting for a trip to Coney Island, I grabbed my camera and headed downstairs to meet SB to scratch off an item from my bucket list. After a breakfast of donuts and water we zoomed across Manhattan on the N train and over to Brooklyn where Coney Isle awaited. As we walked towards Nathan's (home of the world famous Coney Island Coney) and passed the circus and fair type buildings echoing back to another, carefree era, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I walked along the boardwalk, humming Drifters lyrics with childlike glee oohing and ahing over the varied faces and personalities lining the boardwalk and beach, glad to be out of the city for the day and to thrilled to be by the sea. The beach stretched out in front of me spotted by rainbow colored beach blankets and umbrellas and just as colorful people. The first thing on the list was to ride the Cyclone. Over eighty years old, the roller coaster couldn't be passed up, and SB and I squeeled as the carts raced past ancient wooden railings and hugged rickety curves. Then making our way past tourists, families, and the occasional Guito we paused to listen to a brass band before heading to the New York Aquarium, an addition to my bucket list I didn't know I had. Then a few hours and one ice cream later we decided to do what needed to be done. Get a Coney from Nathan's. My first hot dog in over eight years, thick and warm with chili and cheese. Making sure it was documented, and after a sip on my iceless coke I took a tentative bite. It was... good. I know that generations of Coney loyalties are probably cursing my post right now, but I only made it through half before realizing as appetizing as it looked and sounded, it wasn't for me. However at least I can say I have been there, done that, not gotten the t-shirt- but did eat the dog. After another hour spent wandering along the pier and wondering what it was like in it's heyday, pavilions filled with pinstriped men and silk skirted women and the shore covered in parasols, swimming caps, and striped suited beach goers. Stockinged children screaming on the Cyclone and ferris wheel, tugging their taffy tight in their mouths. It was a beautiful image to end the trip on and I promised myself another visit before I leave New York. Then one quick trip back to the city, two hours of watching Cloverfield, and a dinner at Kimmel later. C, A, SB and I settled ourselves down in Bryant Park to watch (along with hundreds of other Manhattaners) Goldfinger on the HBO screen in the park.

Walking back from the movie tonight I realized that my prediction yesterday so far was correct. It's going to be a good week. The memories and ghosts and characters that haunt Coney Island made the trip more romantic and magical than the place probably actually is. And the togetherness and cool night air made Goldfinger an immediate classic in my mind. But today was one of the days that reinforced the wonder that this city, this summer holds for me and I'm glad that I can sit here now, sweat dripping down my neck in the heat of a New York summer night, typing this to you.

Above are some photographs to show just how AMAZING Coney Island is!

-Mandy