In 1995, a man by the name of Allen Abel wrote a book called Flatbush Odyssey – A Journey Through The Heart Of Brooklyn. The book is a non-fiction work describing Abel’s return to the apartment in Brooklyn that he grew up in – and his travels from one end of Flatbush Avenue to the other – an Avenue that stretches from the Manhattan Bridge all the way to the Marine Parkway Bridge on the other side of the borough.

While the book may be a great read and does introduce the reader to some interesting characters as well as to the culture of this wonderful borough – I do not need to read the book for my Flatbush Odyssey – because I drive down that street twice a day Monday through Friday – and I can tell you that it is indeed an odyssey.

From the people that double park making the Avenue have only one driveable lane, to the pedestrians that walk in front of my car making me stop every five feet – to the vans that shove me into oncoming traffic so they can pass me making me scream and curse definitely qualifies as an odyssey. Driving down Flatbush Avenue is like driving through an obstacle course – and the sickest thing is that the while the obstacles may be different each day – the course is always the same. There is never a day where Flatbush Avenue is a pleasure to drive down. Between getting mad at my fellow commuters, to sitting in traffic – to occasionally coming within inches of getting into an accident – those twelve simple miles are the most stressful I have ever traveled.

But as with everything – there is an upside. If anything, my odyssey through the heart of Brooklyn has given me better driving skills. I used to drive like a grandmother and was one of those drivers that everyone passed and gave the finger to. Now – I am the one who is driving like a cab driver and passing all of the other drivers. Also, while the route may be a tad trying on my patience – it is the most logical route home for me. Considering that I live a ways past Flatbush Avenue, taking the Belt Parkway, which will take me to the other side of the borough just to come back to where I get off the bridge is crazy. Taking the Prospect Expressway would also be a waste, because that is also going out of my way – but Flatbush Avenue is a straight trip right to where I have to go – so I put up with the trip just because it’s faster.

I guess no commute to and from work is enjoyable – but then again – not everyone’s commute is a journey through the heart of Brooklyn – or an odyssey either.