#the l train

Smorgasburg itself wasn’t too thrilling just because it’s just a food fair, and it was boiling out. I mistakenly wore jeans. But the view of Manhattan was really nice. After getting our share of the spoils we checked out Bedford Avenue, where there was a block party and all sorts of cool things happening. There were patches of grass in the street and people just lying around everywhere (and so! many! dogs!) and there was a cart giving out free cans of espresso. I got my tattoo off Bedford.

I mean in all I might not make a habit of coming out all the way to Brooklyn but I’ll definitely be going again soon. I didn’t get to see all the food tents so I’ll be doing that the next time.

Alright pre-frosh (and anyone visiting here as well), just to beat you to your own questions, I’ll be listing here some of my favorite things to do near Columbia and in the city in general. Obviously you already know about Times Square (and to never fucking visit), but here are some other, hopefully non-cliched, bucket list items to try out sometime.

Thrift shopping

I like doing this because I am not part of the 1% that makes up, like, 74% of this school, so I’m not buying my clothes from Burberry all the time. However, the social events here require a lot of wardrobe changes, so I’m constantly in the need for more clothes. I end up going thrift shopping because it’s an excuse to see more of the city and I get some really cool things besides clothes, like a mug that cost $1. It’s fun as well as productive. For those of you who don’t want to venture too far from campus, Housing Works is a thrift shop on Broadway between 96th and 97th that I frequent. I’m also a fan of The L Train, somewhere along the L line (obviously). However, I think it’s a lot more fun (and a lot truer to the spirit of New York) to go find a niche one yourself.

Eat

Hel-lo, an essential. I wrote an IP about places to eat around campus that you can find here, but be sure to also check out some of those places you always see in Facebook videos. You are, after all, in New York.

Find cute ice cream shops

Kind of along the same lines, but this time, go for the aesthetic. Go to East Village and crash NYU while going on a scavenger hunt for the best-priced cones, or the most Instagrammable rolled ice cream.

Visit mystic shops

Mystic shop hopping is something very specific to my weird-ass friend group, but if you’re looking for something really niche, try finding funky fortune-reading stalls or some crystal/gemstone shops around. See if any feel legit to you.

Visit The Cloisters and MoMA, obviously

I would say visit the Met too, but more specifically visit the beauty that is the Cloisters in the spring. Fun fact: as a Columbia student you get admission into all three Met sectors for free. 

Bowery Ballroom & Lincoln Center

Check out their respective websites to catch tickets to some of their free concerts! The Bowery is usually jazz/avant-garde, while Lincoln Center is more classical. Great venues to take pics in, as well.

Brooklyn Bridge

Take a walk down the Brooklyn Bridge and remind yourself why you’re in New York. Of course, don’t forget to take pictures.

Korean barbecue in Ktown

This one’s a Columbia staple. Near Times Square is Koreatown, with some of the best eating places around. Specifically, the Korean barbecue restaurants are, while pricy, incredible. Of course there’s the added delight of watching them cook the food in the middle of your table. I highly recommend this, because it’s a very memorable experience, yet something that could happen more than once as a Columbia student.

Take a stroll down Riverside

The main reason the “Columbia bubble” is a thing is because we truly have almost everything we need right next to us, and that includes the scenery most others would have to go to Central Park for. Riverside Park is a park that, predictably, borders the Hudson. Columbia students frequent it as often as the locals, many of whom come when school lets out to play soccer or baseball in the fields. There’s a dog park, and you can skateboard down the smooth pathway, as well. In general, it’s a very nice place to be, and it’s nice to walk all the way down to the end and then sit on the rocks, dipping your feet into the Hudson.

James took the L train five days a week for years. From Third Avenue all the way to Sutter Avenue. James could quote the voice on the loud speaker in his sleep.

"This is a Brooklyn bound L train. The next stop is 14 St-Union Sq. Stand clear of the closing doors please," the voice would drone.

James knew every twist of the track, every stop.

"Approaching Cold Well Road," the voice said one day as James was waiting for Sutter Ave. James glanced up, confused. James had never been to Cold Well Road. There wasn't a stop at Cold Well Road. James hadn't even heard of Cold Well Road before.

James looked around the car, and realized there wasn't another soul on board.

James would have sworn the car wasn't empty. Not that James could remember specifically, but at least three other people were there. The train slowed. James took a breath, and it hung visible in the air. A chill ran up James's spine.

The doors opened, and James stepped towards them. There couldn't be a new stop, an announcement would have been made, changes to the route while they built it. New stops didn't just appear.

The doors stayed open.

"Disembark," the familiar voice ordered. James glanced around the platform. Waited.

The doors stayed open.

"Disembark," the voice ordered again. Seeing no other choice, James stepped onto the eerily empty platform.

At first glance it looked like every other subway Station on the L, with all the usual signage. It had all the usual grime, and concrete. It was just empty.

"Hello?" James called out. Walking towards the stairs leading up to ground level. James really should get back on the subway.

"Hello?" A voice echoed back. It isn't James' voice.

"Who's there?" James tried, whirling around to look for the source.

"Who's there?" The voice giggled. The air was cold, far colder than it was when James boarded at third Ave.

"Where am I?" James called out. The giggle grows louder, but James can't pinpoint where it's coming from.

"Give us your name?" The voice asks, and James mouth opens to speak. There's an us?

"James," I answer.

Abruptly I remember the tales of the fae. Legends, that seem so out of place in the city. There are no fairy circles in New York City. The fae have always been creatures of the forest.

And yet my name is no longer my own.

"Welcome James," a creature steps from behind the station map. "You'll be staying a while," it looks in the underground space, tall and shadowy.

"I need to go home," I say. But I know already, it is too late. The creature smiles, and bares it's teeth.