Konijn Eiland
I have been a bit homesick lately. Perhaps it is because I have had loved ones come to visit, and it sucks when they leave. Perhaps it is because I seem to have a never-ending summer cold. Or perhaps it is because I long for a nice 75-degree, humidity-free, sunshiny day ... just one.
So, in search of something Southern California-ish, I was lured to Coney Island this weekend by the promise of pro beach volleyball. (And I made Mya go with me.) We never found the volleyball tournament (mostly because it was hot and we were too lazy to make the effort), but we did get to check out Coney Island.
Turns out, Coney Island is (1) not an island (though it once was, it is now a peninsula) and (2) in Brooklyn.
From 1880 to the early 1940’s, Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the U.S. (Before Disneyland, that is.)
The Cyclone roller coaster originally opened in 1927, and is the most copied roller coaster ever built. When it opened, a ride cost 25 cents; today it costs $6.00. (And, no, I didn't go on The Cyclone. It doesn't go upside down, which is my roller coaster deal breaker, but I choose to spend my pennies at Nathan's instead ...)
Nathan’s Famous opened in 1916 as a nickel hot dog stand. Today, Takeru Kobayashi is the current champion of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, consuming (God knows how) 53 ¾ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.
No frankfurters for me, but I did take a liking to the crinkle-cut fries and lemonade. Just what I needed for the 45-minute subway ride back home to my little island.
So, in search of something Southern California-ish, I was lured to Coney Island this weekend by the promise of pro beach volleyball. (And I made Mya go with me.) We never found the volleyball tournament (mostly because it was hot and we were too lazy to make the effort), but we did get to check out Coney Island.
Turns out, Coney Island is (1) not an island (though it once was, it is now a peninsula) and (2) in Brooklyn.
From 1880 to the early 1940’s, Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the U.S. (Before Disneyland, that is.)
The Cyclone roller coaster originally opened in 1927, and is the most copied roller coaster ever built. When it opened, a ride cost 25 cents; today it costs $6.00. (And, no, I didn't go on The Cyclone. It doesn't go upside down, which is my roller coaster deal breaker, but I choose to spend my pennies at Nathan's instead ...)
Nathan’s Famous opened in 1916 as a nickel hot dog stand. Today, Takeru Kobayashi is the current champion of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, consuming (God knows how) 53 ¾ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.
No frankfurters for me, but I did take a liking to the crinkle-cut fries and lemonade. Just what I needed for the 45-minute subway ride back home to my little island.
posted by Erika at 8:11 PM
0 comments
