Known as "Little Odessa", Brighton Beach is seen by its 70.000 Russian inhabitants as their home. Only a few steps away: the legendary Coney Island.

Only forty minutes by subway from Manhattan, there lies, on the south-east tip of Manhattan, one of the most unusual and charming spots of the city: Brighton Beach, the Russian New York. Far away from tourist crowds and the hectic big city, a visit is an encounter with a foreign country: foreign scents, unusual language and sounds and reserved people, who seem not to want their world disturbed.

70'000 Russians are living on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, with vodka and caviar instead of Coca Cola and cheeseburgers, nostalgic folksongs and cyrillic writing instead of neon lights and rap music. Many of them originate from Odessa, the seaside resort on the Black Sea, so, it is not surprising, that Brighton Beach has the nickname "Little Odessa by the sea".

Along the boardwalk, it is only a stone`s throw to Coney Island. Known for the lunapark at the turn of the century, today, the run down parachute tower and the legendary cyclone are rememberances of better times. Still, every weekend thousands of New Yorkers are attracted by the unique mixture of snack stands, game rooms and the long beach.

© Tina Ruisinger (Photos), Dominik Ruisinger (Text)

For the complete text please contact Dominik Ruisinger: dominik@ad-text.de