I moved to Jersey City in April 2023, I had to find my own apartment, I can not live with roommates but of course the prices of apartments in NYC are difficult to meet with a small salary. I knew though that JC was still affordable and indeed found a very affordable 1 bedroom near Journal square.
Being in NYC, east coast, NYC area is always a paradox to me, I have connections, dreams waiting but I dislike at this point the crowds, the clones, the garbage, the lack of nature and serenity. I do have a job teaching though since September 2022, I made the commitment to stick to it for 2 scholar years to get myself a little more under control and stabilized somehow in my head. I also play music, act, etc, bla and was drawn to discover this little famous music town that is Asbury Park. I planned to go this last summer as it was the right season but could never get myself to take the train and try the beach. It’s about 1.5 hours on the NJ Transit. Short yet, I am so bad at getting up early and head to the beach for the whole day.
No I need to be by the beach for a week, because day one I will get into the water for a minute, day 2 a little longer and if I have a place right there, I’ll go there on a whim at 10pm. So I knew that appropriately I needed to afford a hotel room.
Finally, I was on holiday December 15th, worked the weekend at Bistro La Source in JC, on Monday I was off for 2 days. Had reserved a room at the Empress Hotel, I was ready for nobody. Meaning I was ready to see, meet no-one, deal with no-one, leave the people and how much they stress me out, no matter what and embrace the solitude, silence, emptiness.
Well the Empress Hotel was easy to find, the train station is a straight walking shot to it, direction the ocean, got to see on the way the 50 miles that separate Newark to that mileage stone right after an intense storm raising quite some of the waters. The wind were still strong and the waves impressing. Do I like to see these big waves, the power of the ocean…
Came just with a bag, checked in to an empty hotel, host was super nice, my room lovely, I was so looking forward to take a few hot baths a day as my hot water in my apartment is dysfunctional. I had a TV, I rarely watch TV, loved it, watched UCLA chicks college basketball beat Ohio State, Go LA! Took walks, walks, and walks daytime, night time. My first stop was a delicious Japanese restaurant, Taka. Big, decently priced, millions of Japanese whiskeys and Sakes, lovely menu, got the cheapest, a burger! boooooooooo! Nice place, not much was open, it was pre Christmas, some Antique shops, markets, and for sure kickass music shop.
At night I meandered on the boardwalk to check out the music venues, Monster Bar, Stone Pony, the Bowling Alley
The Stone Pony by the way is moving to the Carousel, still in the works. In the morning, the sun was shining, the frog men, surfers braving no matter what the water were on their surf, how I admire them, I call them , Hommes Grenouille, heart to them as they used to identify me as a mermaid in Santa Cruz back in the day!
Now was the time to find a nice coffee shop for Breakfast. I took off south toward Ocean Grove, which is right there, oh that wind, oh those joggers, dog owners walking their happy dogs. I was astounded by the ginger bread Victorian houses, what architecture!
So many houses, so cute, so empty. I heard it’s a dry town!!!
Nevermind, I found this cookie bakery, had a good coffee and a bagel with cream cheese, served by a round curly blondie middle age women, lovely as fuck, who was chatting with the local fireman and the local policeman. Ah how I love to be surrounded by the locals. Then I definitely wanted to find a good thrift shop, cuz new clothing is always on my list. Oh yeah , Pioneer Thrift down by the railroad track will have your dream shoes, top, pants, pot, dish, bag. Not far is some stipend original Irish hole. They have rules in the window about facts on Men and Women political dance. Have a drink!
So my exploration was about to expire, had to get another diner and went to the Robinson Ale House, and that place is fulfilling, comforting, it spirals.
Will I go back to Asbury Park, when It’s warmer, when there is music? It sure is growing, just like everywhere else.
happy new locations
And like all Amphibians we are, loving the water, all types of water * By Les Bicyclettes Blanches
Travels Revels 