Go to YouTube and remind yourself of the atmospheric title sequence for The Sopranos: Tony drives past Newark Airport. The container docks from which I will leave are just beyond the runways. Newark has reputation for poverty, violent crime and corruption.
Although downtown's well past its heyday, there are wonderful Twenties and Thirties skyscrapers with the 'stepped' architecture I so like.
Riots in the Sixties did it in for the old city centre. Whites largely departed and so did most of their businesses. What stores remain are often down-at-heels. Not a place one would linger after dark.
The Paramount Newark, with a stunning facade, is looking for new tenants.
The United States Savings Bank, which unfortunately opened this branch on the eve of the Great Depression, is also for rent.
The Broad & Market Tavern - "In the hub of Newark, serving you the best" - served its last drink long ago.
I was supposed to board my ship tomorrow, but Hurricane Irene has intervened. The port's shutting down for the next three days. The Toronto Star's website tells me that, "The Canadian government issued a warning Friday to avoid all non-essential travel to the U.S. east coast as Hurricane Irene rolls toward the shoreline this weekend."
Don’t book a freighter trip if you’re a control freak. You're at the mercy of factors – weather, engines, cargoes, capricious gods – completely beyond your influence. No sacrifices to Poseidon or Neptune or whatever deity dictates the destinies of seafarers will guarantee things turn out the way you’d planned. Hand over the money and resign yourself to your fate. The gods laugh.
Looks like I'll be staying longer in Newark than expected.
