I've lived in NYC.well Brooklyn, for a few years now. We all know how varied and interesting this city is and how it's pretty easy to get whatever you want whenever you want. Last week I made a trip down to Brighton Beach, a Russian enclave near Coney Island. This is my story...

Brighton Beach is a primarily Russian neighborhood in Southern Brooklyn. It's at the end of the subway line and in many ways, it feels like the end of the earth. I mean that in a good way though. New York's ethnic neighborhoods are all great fun and full of interesting people and food. In the end though, they are feel like a little bit of "X Country" dropped in America.

Brighton Beach feels like Russia. It's nickname is "Little Odessa" due the similarities between the Black Sea city back home and this seaside retreat thousands of miles away. It's truly an experience. Everything is in Russian, the stores are stocked with all the goodness of russian cuisine. I stopped in a supermarket and had some  caviar and russian chocolate. the entire conversation took place between two people who spoke totally different languages, but with some pointing and sign language, it all worked out.

Normally, as an American, I get annoyed when someone running a business here doesn't speak English at all. But for some reason, I enjoyed trying to have a conversation with the shopkeepers and get things accomplished. It felt like I was on vacation in Odessa and I was the guest in their country. But this time, I could jump on the B train and be back in my neighborhood by sundown..

I would suggest making the trek out to Brighton Beach and experiencing something unique in the craziness that is New York.  Where else can you get some pierogis and caviar, then have lunch on the beach staring off into the future?