What Separates the Hipsters from the Hatters?
So, you wanna know what magical, mystical body of water divides the land of overpriced apartments and endless hustle (Manhattan) from the realm of artisanal pizza and questionable accents (Brooklyn)? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive deeper than a New York subway rat into this watery enigma.
The East River: It’s Not Actually a River!
Let's get one thing straight: the East River is a total fraud. It’s not a river, people! It's a tidal strait, which basically means it's a salty body of water that acts like a river sometimes. Talk about identity crisis! But hey, who are we to judge a body of water for its life choices, right?
A Quick Geography Lesson (Don’t Worry, It’ll Be Painless)
Imagine New York City as a giant pizza. Manhattan is the cheesy, crowded slice in the middle. Brooklyn is the slightly cooler, hipster slice next door. And the East River is the crust separating them. A salty, sometimes-fishy-smelling crust, but a crust nonetheless.
More Than Just Water
This watery wonder isn't just a geographical divider. It's also a major player in New York City's skyline. Iconic bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge grace its waters, carrying millions of people back and forth every day. Talk about a busy body of water!
So, What's the Deal with the Name?
You're probably wondering why it's called a river if it's not actually a river. Well, blame the Dutch. Those crafty explorers named it back in the day when they probably thought it was a river. And hey, the name stuck. So, let's just roll with it, shall we?
How to...
- How to impress your friends with your newfound knowledge of New York geography: Drop the fact that the East River is a tidal strait, not a river. Bonus points if you can casually mention its role in the city's skyline.
- How to avoid falling into the East River: Stay on the sidewalks, people. And maybe invest in some decent footwear.
- How to appreciate the East River: Take a ferry ride, admire the bridges, or simply enjoy the view from a nearby park. It’s actually quite beautiful.
- How to remember the difference between Manhattan and Brooklyn: Think of Manhattan as the uptight older sibling and Brooklyn as the cool younger one.
- How to survive a New York winter: Layers, people. Layers.
