Fun day
Monday, April 15, 2013 at 3:25AM
We returned to the hotel this evening feeling absolutely stuffed and so weary that we wondered if we could stagger as far as the door to our room.
Yes, we’ve had a fun day!
Another lovely morning here, we’d decided to have a lighter breakfast and went straight out to run a couple of small errands before lunch. We both remarked on how very much we enjoy just being here; walking the streets and taking in the views of familiar landmarks most of all. Look, there’s the flatiron building down there to the left and the taller of the new buildings next to it is the new structure on the World Trade Centre site, nearing completion.
In the coffee shop, we waited with our little “table tracker” until our drinks and breakfast rolls arrived. Don’t know how it works but we were pleased it did!
It being Sunday, the shops were a little later opening this morning, but we managed a short stop in Toho beads and got a few bits and pieces in Staples. Oh yes, I have my favourite haunts!
As we returned to the hotel to drop off our shopping, we spotted a parade assembling, but couldn’t work out the flag for a while. Shortly afterwards, we worked out it was the Persian Parade and sure enough, there was a colourful and sometimes noisy group of people gathering on Madison, ready for the off.
The band were warming up outside the drugstore
and the drummers making quite a racket just around the corner from them. We’d have happily stayed to see them move off, but we had lunchtime plans.
We had arranged to meet Jordi for lunch at somewhere we’ve been meaning to try for quite some time but for some reason, have never managed until now.
We walked along Fifth, passing swiftly through American Girl territory. Oh yes, the small shoppers were out in force this morning, carrying their purchases in one hand and their dolls in the other.
The two youngsters in front of us as we walked through the Rockefeller Plaza were carrying their dolls in papooses with heart-shaped windows.
Our venue for lunch was a swanky hotel which took some finding – but find it we did, and met Jordi in this rather grand foyer.
We were going to a “secret” place behind the red curtain. ooooh!
The only clue was the neon “burger” sign on the wall. Oh, and the lengthy queue in the dark corridor just behind the curtain.
We had no idea what to expect, except the cardboard notices suggested this wasn’t going to be a grand place at all. But we understood the food to be first class and anyway, we were rather curious by now.
In time, we got to turn the corner and saw into the burger joint – as far away as you could imagine from the grand hotel we’d just come through! We ordered our food and found a table and joined everyone else.
Notices on cardboard everywhere, mostly requesting no writing on the walls
which was a mystery, because actually, every surface (including the lampshade) was covered in scribble.
The food itself was great, the burgers really were first class and we’d come here again for the entertainment anyway. What a curious place!
During the afternoon, we explored the Upper West Side, dropping into this small gallery to take a look at some art
and spending a couple of hours at the New York Historical Society museum, which was fascinating. Not that we learned a great deal about the history of New York but we loved the collection of tin plate railway models which were on show there and some of the art was terrific, too. Actually, the history of the city was really well depicted in a film we enjoyed – almost as much as we enjoyed the chance to sit down in a comfy chair!
Late afternoon then, and definitely time to sit on a park bench and peruse Jordi’s beautiful artwork. Whilst the younger, fitter New Yorkers cycled, skated and jogged through Central Park, the three of us oooohed and aaaahed at these gorgeous pages, so much better seen for real than in photos on her blog.
We discussed possibilities, potential and plans
and pointed out our favourite bits!
What better setting to sit and enjoy such things?
Isn’t it beautiful?
We weren’t the only ones to enjoy the Spring weather, the blossom and to feel thankful for such a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. But it was starting to get chilly now and we were getting hungry!
Making our weary way over to Molyvos, a really great Greek restaurant on 7th Avenue, it was hard to recognise the three energetic and lively souls who’d stepped out early this morning.
We never want to lose any opportunity to make the most of our time here, but this evening, we are wondering if our feet will recover in time for tomorrow morning? But oh, what fun we’ve had!
USA in food, friends, fun, travelling
Reader Comments (2)
My you ARE having fun... aren't you lucky? :-) Sounds like it was worth getting footsore and weary for.
Especially lucky to have a chance to see Jordi's lovely books.....
What a wonderful account Gill. Brings to mind a lovely trip I enjoyed there.