Tuesday, 15th of April, 2025
A Rainy Day in Brooklyn
Why not, when it is raining outside, stay inside… but stay inside new places? Today (the day I am writing this) is a rainy day in New York and I want to get out and explore, even if it is inside coffee shops or through windows. So, whether or not it is a rainy day as you are reading this, come with me as I avoid many raindrops and wander through Brooklyn.
First off, to travel into Brooklyn, we (my husband and I) need to take the Long Island Rail Road. This is usually pronouced as the L-I-R-R or the L-I double R. Personally, I love taking trains to get around. Regional trains, local trains, fast trains, slow trains, all of them. I find this type of travel a lazy way to see places as the train rolls by. I can see parks starting to have their first spring blossoms, bits of Art Deco and Victorian architectural features clinging to facades, and people walking. People walking to their favorite grocery store, a restaurant, or, not surprisingly, to catch a train.
Once we are in Brooklyn, we hop off at Atlantic Terminal Station as this positions us well for our relaxed rainy day activities. As we start to head towards a coffee shop, I see more of Brooklyn’s architectural style peep through. As I peer around each corner, I feel that in this part of the city, Brooklyn tries to hold onto its history as it simultaneously evolves into the 21st century. Skyscrapers of glass are sharp contrasts to brick, Victrorian style churches and stone, Art Deco banks.
Eventually, we make it towards a lovely coffee shop, Devoción. My warm latte (with espresso) paired with lush foliage and latin music warms me up as the rain begins to soften outside. Something I love about coffee shops is the ability to get lost in your own thoughts. Despite the chatter of conversations around me, milk being steamed behind the bar, and a barista shouting names such as “John”, “Eve”, and “Georgie” (wait, that’s me!) being called out, this place is relaxing as I begin to look out the window and daydream.
After we finished our coffees, we decided to hop over to Atlantic Ave to browse some art and antique shops. Brooklyn is full of artists, and it showed as we were gazing upon hundreds of watercolours, mixed media pieces, and gorgeous chandeliers over our heads. When we were in Collier West, the owner, M.J., told us about the local artists, how they worked in the city, showed me her own work and allowed me to play with some watercolours. The feeling of being around other artists and hearing their stories just made me want to paint right now (something I did shortly after I returned home)! As we browsed through more art and antiques, I pondered on whether or not these shops were more so mini museums of local history rather than stores based on what we discovered. Perhaps it was the feeling of how alive these paintings and places were, or seeing the evolution of an artist’s work that is still ongoing. It is difficult to explain.
In a similar vein of places feeling alive, my stomach had awakened after a couple of hours of walking and required food. To get away from the rain, Ramón and I sat down at a Mediterranean spot nearby called Bijan’s. This restaurant is lovely in the rain, providing a secret garden aesthetic as the space is composed of large windows, flowers and foliage hanging from the ceiling, a fire place, and a stone/brick wall opposite the entrance. I begin to feel at ease and a sense of nostalgia as I hear Stevie Wonder and Al Green singing on the speakers.
After a delicious late lunch, we decided that this rainy adventure should come to a close as the rain was becoming more of a nusance, and the cold has started to seep into our bones. However, I also decided that we must get a quick cookie and warm drink for the ride home, for we have to end on a sweet note. We stop at a small bakery, and we pick out some treats to nibble on as we avoid the last droplets of the journey. Although the train ride back is not fantastical, it is the feeling of home and a good chocolate chip cookie that makes me happy to leave the city. Whether or not you have a cold, rainy day right now, I hope that this adventure has fired up your spirit to explore places in your area. Until next time.