I was born in Crown Heights Hospital in Brooklyn, but through and through I am a boy from the Bronx. I am totally unfamiliar with Brooklyn, "The Borough of Churches."

I once attended a baseball game at Ebbets Field and I actually saw Hilda Chester (the bell ringer) dishing out hot dogs. I also listened to those wild and crazy guys in the Dodger Sym-phony. It was not easy worshipping the Bums while living in the Bronx.

This is the story of my recent trip through Brooklyn on the "J" train. The "J" train is a local train that slowly meanders and I mean "sloooowly" through the heart of Brooklyn. It served as my education of this diverse, multicultured and huge borough.

I had to meet my son Adam for lunch in lower Manhattan. Being retired and an "early freak" I left plenty of time for the trip. The automobile was out of the question due to the lack of, and the expense of, parking. I had my Syosset-Jericho Tribune,The NY Times and Newsday under my arm and I was off.

The stationmaster at the Jamaica Central subway, where I purchased my two tokens, said, "You can either take the "E" train or the "J" train. I have taken the "E" many times in the past. It is fast and efficient. I decided to take a chance on the "J."

Two quick stops and we were out of the tunnel and into the outdoors. The next stop was at Cypress Hills and I viewed what seemed to be the world's largest cemetery. There were thousands of Christian crosses and Stars of David. I remembered dating girls from Brooklyn and driving the Interboro Parkway (now the Jackie Robinson Parkway) through a narrow, tortuous ride for a date.

The "J" train was more comfortable and you could see the sights. Also the conductor loudly announced each stop and each future stop.

Next stop Crescent Street, then Elderts Lane which is on the Brooklyn-Queens boundary. Norwood Avenue - Cleveland Street - Van Siclen - Alabama Avenue - Eastern Parkway - Chauncey Street - Halsey Street - Gates Avenue - Kosciuszko Street (Don't try to pronounce it) - Myrtle Avenue (transfer to the "M" train) - Flushing Street - Lorimer Street (huge projects surround the platform) - Hewes Street and finally Marcy Avenue, the last stop in Brooklyn before we crossed the Williamsburg Bridge over the East River. Each name held its own mistique and I felt like Columbus discovering a new land.

The Old Williamsburg Bank building (now it's B.C. Bank) was on the left across from the famous original Peter Luger's Steak Restaurant. As we crossed the bridge the old Brooklyn Navy Yard was visible. My Uncle Sheldon worked there during WWII. On the opposite bank lay Manhattan. The International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) houses were on the left side entering the Big Apple. The Lower East Side and Essex Street were next. Then came the Bowery and Canal Streets. It was a glorious ride and most of it was outside in the sunlight.

I had heard of most of these stations but I was never there in person. I do not consider myself an expert on Brooklyn after this trip on the "J," but it was fun. It took about an hour and 10 minutes but I was still prompt for my lunch appointment.