Finding A Charming "Town" Among The Rails
NJ: An electrical outage along the rails this morning meant that I was detoured on my way into the B.C. It wasn't an unpleasant experience, providing an excuse to take the walk I am usually too rushed to enjoy from the station to the office. The weather today was beautiful and the atmosphere was brisk.
But I am getting ahead of myself. First, before I could get to excuses for taking walks, I had the pleasure of enjoying a train station, reimagined on this particular morning as a charming town center.
Where was this special transit spot? It is located just across the river from the B.C. in Hoboken, New Jersey. The Hoboken train station has been renovated in recent years to all of its ornate green cast iron, rich mahogany wood, and stained glass glory. It is situated on the waterfront to take full advantage of the view of the B.C. as well as the lazy activity along the Hudson.
In the mornings, activity around the station as a destination in its own right is limited to a newstand, vegetable stand and small food court. Visitors on their way to work and play rush through the "town center" to the surrounding community or to catch the subway or water taxi to points beyond.
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As the day progresses, one by one push cart vendors line up and join the mix, hocking a selection of cultural curiosities and inexpensive fashion items.
And what does Hoboken (pop. 38,577) have to offer? Once known as the birthplace of baseball and Sinatra, today Hoboken is better known for its stylish boutiques, art galleries and tasty local eats. Popular with 20- and 30-somethings and those looking for a more economical option to the B.C., this modern day Soho offers townhouse and loft living in beautifully gentrified historic builidings.
But for me, on this morning, it was just an expected stop along the way to the more hectic pace of the day ahead.
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