This Is My New Jersey

The World Cup is officially underway at the Meadowlands, which in case you were confused, is in New Jersey – NOT New York.

So, we welcome the world to our beloved state, which contains immigrants and ethnicities from every corner of the world. In a way, it makes sense that Jersey is the host.

A Jersey Primer

Now that the party has started, I feel the need to provide our guests with some guidance for some of the important aspects of Jersey life.

First, you will find every kind of food you can imagine here. From Portuguese, to Italian, to straight-up New Jersey style, there is something for every taste. If you are looking for Portuguese, check out Campino Restaurant in Newark. Italian? You definitely need to try The Belmont, in my beloved hometown of Belleville. If you are looking for something truly Jersey, not far from the stadium, you’ll find Rutt’s Hut. The ultimate localized fare, the Italian hot dog from Dickie Dee’s. Oh, and you have two official choices for breakfast; a taylor ham, egg, and cheese with saltpepperketchup (yes, it is one word) on a hard roll or a roll with butter and coffee (pronounced kawfee).

If you are looking for a house of worship, I highly recommend you visit The  Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. What took decades to build is a more than a building. It is a source of Catholic devotion and pride. And I challenge anyone to walk inside and think it is not as grand as any of the cathedrals in Europe. If you visit the Newark Archdiocese website, you can find a mass in whatever language you require.

If you decide to visit the ocean, and I highly recommend it, we refer to it as “down the shore.” If you want to master the local lingo, that is the proper phrase. A personal favorite location of mine is Sandy Hook. As part of the National Park Service, Sandy Hook is over 1,600 acres of coastline, wildlife, and American history. Built in 1764, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest standing lighthouse in the country. The former Army post, Fort Hancock, is located at the north end of the peninsula and is open to visitation. Originally known as Fort at Sandy Hook, construction began in 1857. The location was never officially named, but was locally referred to as Fort Hancock, and the name stuck.

Driving in Jersey

I’m not going to lie. Driving in Jersey is a challenge for newbies. Honestly, you should probably stick with a rideshare or a cab, if the town you are staying in has a cab stand. If you want to drive, I have a few suggestions for you.

First, if you plan on making a left, most of the time you will need to get in the right lane. Yes, I’m serious. It is called a jughandle, and it is how we navigate left turns. You will drive through a light (in the right lane) and then follow the sign that says “U and left turns.” You will take this short side road and come to the light that is perpendicular to where you started. You then will either go straight, thus making your left, or you will either need to go through the light again to rinse and repeat, or you may possibly be allowed to make a left from that side of the light.

Next, we need to talk about the speed limit. Obviously it will change based on the type of road you are traveling. If you are on a local road, especially near a school, it will usually be 25 MPH (and that’s miles, not kilometers). If you are on a highway, it will be either 55 or 65 MPH, and it will vary. Now, I’m going to be honest with you; no one goes the speed limit. It is one of the few times we will all work together. The way we see it, if we all speed, they can’t pull all of us over. And you will 100% be judged harshly if you go the speed limit in the left lane. If you plan on going the speed limit, stay in the right lane.

Most of all, and we take this quite seriously, if you see an emergency vehicle or tow truck on the shoulder helping someone, you must move over. These are individuals who are putting their lives on the line to help those who are broken down or having an emergency. We have lost far too many of these good people because drivers aren’t paying attention and don’t move over. Don’t be the reason someone doesn’t make it home at the end of their shift.

Jersey Geography and History

I realize that most people are here for the World Cup, which is in New Jersey by the way, but you have amazing options when it comes to geography and history to experience. I already mentioned going down the shore, but you can also see the wonderful beauty of the Delaware Water Gap. The Gap formed 500 million years ago when quartz pebbles from mountains in the area were deposited in a shallow sea. The Gap is part of the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia.

Are you an engineer, electrician, filmmaker, photographer, or record producer? Check out Thomas Edison National Historical Park. This lovingly preserved property includes Thomas Edison’s private residence and his laboratory. The West Orange laboratory saw the development of the motion picture camera, improved phonographs, sound recordings, silent and sound movies and the nickel-iron alkaline electric storage battery. You will feel like you stepped back in time as you walk through the properties that date back to 1887.

Want to see Franklinite? Well, you can only find it in one place on the entire planet; Ogdensburg, New Jersey. The Sterling Hill Mining Museum dates back to the Revolutionary War when iron was a key part of cannon manufacturing.

These are just a few of the awesome parts of New Jersey. I could literally go on for years. In fact, I have. I’ve been writing this blog for well over a decade. That is how much I love this state. I make no money from it. I just do my best to share some of the greatest parts of the Garden State. Now that you have all fallen in love with the United States, I invite you to explore New Jersey and see all the reasons so many of us continue to call it home.