brighton beach - russian snack/turkish coffee

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i biked on a rainy night and drove on a sunny day

i wanted to see the ocean and buy cheap fruit in Brighton beach

under the elevated train there is always a dim shade -
and intermittent noise

tin Brighton beach
mostly Russian and Caucasian [from the Caucasus] people
Turkish-like food
kosher yogurts
a lot of fruit and vegetable stores.

one starbucks
and no bars at all in sight,
--
from a food stand on the street
for 2 dollars
i buy a baked bun
filled with ground lamb meat and spices.
it tastes amazing but i eat it too fast.
i wonder if it is Russian or Turkish food -
it might as well be just from Uzbekistan,
--
i get an apple pastry and Turkish coffee at some old bakery.
one woman is wearing bright fuchsia lipstick and flashy watch and jewelry.

she speaks little English and she lets me take her picture...
another woman translates for me her question "do you like Russian girls?".

it is hard to give diplomatic answers to blunt questions sometimes.

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on the boardwalk
it feels way windier and colder -
i wish i had a warmer sweater and gloves.

2 old Russian guys are playing chess on a bench

they speak almost no English

the larger guy seems to be going to win easily -
but he loses his queen -
i cant understand why he did that move-
and his game is over in a few minutes.

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prospect park a few days earlier -


Chinatown markets

Baxter street bail bonds -

the usual intimidating angry signs you always see in nyc