Across the river, a different pace reigns - Brooklyn Bridge and Williamsburg

 Crossing East River one leaves hectic and noisy Manhattan behind and experiences a more relaxed life. More residential, in parts a bit worn-down, Brooklyn Heights and Williamsburg have a different charm to offer. More cafés and restaurants, less take-out places and starbucks, people walking more slowly, less cars and cabs, more dogs and strollers, less tourists, more authentic.

Further down Brooklyn Bridge Pier Park, an enormous food market opens up each Sunday morning, offering great take-away food from all corners of the world with a millionaire's view on the Manhattan skyline. Music is playing, sun is shining, feet dangling in the East River and the best French fries on the planet - can a Sunday get any better?
On another occasion, a stroll through Williamsburg, the home of New York's hipsters, with a great flea market with talented jewelry designers and artists, brunch with bloody marys, little shops and book stores.
Or  a sunny afternoon with an oyster happy hour and a glass of rosé, followed by moules frites, just like that, a table on the sidewalk, very few cars, few people, no rush...

Enjoying the sunset down at the river, splendid views on the Manhattan skyline but a peaceful atmosphere, only locals around...

 As much as I love the buzz of Manhattan, I equally enjoyed to retreat to Brooklyn for a relaxed afternoon, a great meal, a slower pace of life - I never thought it would make such a difference!