The Best Route Through Town

Living, first, in Chicago and then moving to New York, commuting through the city is very similar but at the same time so very different.

Chicago has the 'L' which allows you to quite literally fly through the city (roughly 3-4 levels above the street while the New York City subway (for the most part) keeps you beneath the street level unless you reside and spend most of your time in the Bronx or parts of Queens.

The beauty of connectivity and convenience is a major factor that draws people to city living. However, here in New York, it's easy to lose spatial recognition spending so much time beneath the surface. Many people pass through numerous neighborhoods everyday that they've never before seen. Life doesn't stop in transit...

For me, biking bridges the gap.  It allows the city to feel a bit more tangible to me.   These are shots taken while and between riding through some of the neighborhoods that I wouldn't normally see otherwise.

Doughnut Run through Crown Heights/Bed-Stuy

Seeing the town with one of my favorite Chicagoans

Traversing the Williamsburg Bridge

Various Vantage Points

The more parking restrictions for cars (signage) the better for cyclists

Next stop, Manhattan

In all of it's majesty, Brooklyn Bridge

Follow the line

Departure preparations

That One Time in Paris

Le Tour Eiffel Paris, France

This architectural monolith is definitely a sight to behold.  The intricate details of its construction makes this monument a must-see at some point in your lifetime.  It's really a magnificent structure.

I live for these days...

This is how I'd like to and plan to spend many more Saturday's to come:

(Taken in Montmartre neighborhood of Paris)

Dining al fresco is no foreign concept and there a plenty cities stateside that take the practice seriously and offer it in abundance.  However, in Paris, I'd have to say that they hold this practice dear and it's more about social aspect as opposed to making sure that you're spending money to enjoy a service.  The numerous places like this in the many districts of the city make you feel like you you're constantly at a picnic where there just so happens to be someone passing by that doesn't mind bringing you the food and drinks that you meant to bring with you anyway.  The way that the seating area just starts to blend into the neighborhood without strict borders allows you to lose yourself in your neighborhood surroundings.