New Apartment - Newark, New Jersey

Since arriving home in early December, I’ve visited with family and friends, rented an apartment in Newark NJ, acquired a car, moved my belongings out of storage into the apartment, and enrolled in three evening film producing classes at NYU. Classes start the first week in February, until then I’ll be settling into my apartment, exploring the neighborhood, watching movies, writing, reading, jogging…

I'm infatuated with my new neighborhood; at times I feel like I’m still traveling. The neighborhood is filled with Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants, bakeries and fresh fish shops, etc., and the supermarket is stocked with imports from Portugal. Portuguese is the predominate language spoken. Locals often speak to me in Portuguese, after I respond with "what?" and then they generally switch to English, that is, except for the new immigrants. The new immigrants forge ahead with Portuguese. I generally succumb to gesturing, something I've become familiar with while traveling. Also, bring back traveling memories is the shop around the corner that sells "live" chickens for slaughter.

A crossed the “tracks”, about 10 blocks from my apartment (I live about two blocks from the tracks) is the heart of the African-American community where the hip-hop clothing stores and African restaurants are located. Not far from the where the Af-Am community hangs out, still within walking distance from my house, is the New Jersey Performing Art Center with offerings of symphonies, ballets, operas, and touring Broadway Shows.

The neighborhood has almost everything, even has a Brazilian gay bar. The only thing it doesn't have is an art house film theater. Fortunately, the subway station, more generally known as the "PATH", is located only four blocks from my house. It takes 22 minutes and cost $1.50 to get into lower Manhattan at the former World Trade Center site. Fortunately, a few art house theaters and NYU is only one transfer and 4 subway stops north of the former WTC site. The accessiblity to Manhattan and significantly cheaper rents were my primary reasons for living in Newark. The diverse neighborhood is a bonus!!!