Kim's journey

Wed 29/8  – Thurs 30/8
We left NY just in time. It was getting hotter!
The day started with final faffing and checking out. Then there were the taxi wars. The first yellow taxi in line outside the hotel was a sedan, the second a station wagon and the third a minivan type vehicle, the obvious choice for 4 large suitcases, a bike and 2 passengers. But we had to go through the process of packing and unpacking the station wagon to prove to the driver that it wouldn’t fit. Then the first driver came over to give the bellhop a hard time for not choosing him. Not the brightest! Finally we managed to pack it all in the minivan and set off for JFK. We left my bike behind to be collected (hopefully). Large tips all around.
The traffic was hectic, because we were on the same route as all those going to Flushing Meadow for the US Open. Eventually we arrived and went to check in. All went smoothly, so another stress point over. David sat and watched our hand luggage and I wandered around trying to spend the last coins, but I was not in a mood to shop. We boarded the plane and the external aircon was not coping. The flight was delayed and we sat baking. It was worse than being in a sauna for 45 minutes.
The rest of the flight was uneventful, but I was struck by the lack of hand cream and the used tissues lying on the floor in the restrooms, as well as most of the crew’s disinterest in being of service.  It was sad by comparison to the local flight of Delta airlines.
I did bump into a past pupil and that was wonderful. We chatted about our holiday and his life since school.
Sleep escaped me. After four movies and some lousy eggs we touched down at ORT. Luckily, we breezed through customs and were soon hugging Mike who had come to fetch us.
What I learnt: It is always wonderful to come home to family, friends and even dogs and to sleep in crisp white sheets in your own bed.

Tuesday 28/8  10143 steps

I cooked breakfast to use up some of our opened supplies. Once again, the smoke/heat detector sounded the alarm every 2 minutes. Very annoying. I finished packing 3 bags and realized we did not have enough space, so we had to buy an extra suitcase.
We decided we had to make an effort to see at least one more museum, so I chose the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, which was just the other side of Central Park in Upper East Side. We decided we would walk through the park, but it was so hot we took an Uber instead. The museum is housed in a old townhouse that once belonged to Andrew Carnegie, a very interesting man who gave away most of his acquired wealth. The house itself was just as appealing as the items on display. I found it fascinating and it was the first museum where I could have stayed longer than David. However, we had to leave so we could go and buy a suitcase. We stopped for a drink. My cider was excellent and I hope I will be able to get something similar back home. We walked back through the park, along a different route to our cycle so got to see a whole lot more. When we were finished packing, we went to Cafe Viand, a small diner below our hotel and had a huge meal. First burger that come without the bun! I made sure I left enough so I could fit in a slice of the most delicious authentic New York Cheesecake. I managed half and took the rest home for breakfast.

 

What I learnt: If you add an obscure shaped solid object to your bowl of food such as soup or pasta, your brain registers that you have eaten a full bowl. It does not take into account the volume take up by the object, so you actually eat less and feel full. Something I am definitely going to try.

Mon 27/8   steps: too few to mention
Song: All my bags are packed…..

We spent most of the day packing and sorting. David had to pack the bikes, which took a while and I had to try and decide which of my items I bought for the RV to leave and which to squeeze in. I went online to find donation centre, but they were so fussy about what they accepted, I decided to just leave stuff in the hotel room with a note explaining that the lady who cleaned our room was welcome to the goods. Her lucky day, because try as I might, I could not get my air fryer in a bag. Finally, we went for a walk and did some window shopping. Halloween goods were already being displayed. We found a small family run Indian restaurant and had a really good curry. we thought we would have an early night, but the TV in the room next door was so loud, I eventually called the front desk at midnight to sort it out.

Chuckle of the day: When we checked in, we were not allowed to take our bikes to our room, because they were a fire hazard. They had to stay in storage downstairs and we had to pay $5 per bike to get them out and put them back. However, when they were packed in boxes, it was no longer a problem and we kept them in the room. 
What I learnt: Packing is tedious.

 

Sun 26/8  11652 steps

With the bike story almost at an end, we finally got to do the hop on hop off bus ride. The first guide was not great so we got off in Chinatown and walked to little Italy, which apparently is getting smaller by the day, as Chinatown is expanding. I did have a delicious Apple spritz (apple juice and prosecco) at a small Italian cafe instead my new regular cider. We did some shopping on Mulberry street and then walked to the Immigrant Museum, where we did their Irish family tour. You get to go into an original tenement building and listen to the story of actual people who lived there. It was very good and I thoroughly recommend it as opposed to the usual museums. I learnt a lot from our informative guide, an Catholic Irish descendent born in the Bronx, but in fact it was just a pleasure to hear him speak good English and to listen between the lines to what he didn’t say about the current immigrant policies.
We got back on the bus and completed the tour. We went to areas we had not yet walked through so it was interesting. Fun fact: apparently if you rub the gonads of the raging bull on Wall Street, it brings you financial good luck, so people actually queue up to do so.

We ended the evening at Arthurs in Greenwich, listening to a bunch of old geysers play really good jazz (thanks, Annie). I was particularly interested in the lady’s hairstyle, as I am considering going grey.

Chuckle of the day:

What I learnt: Maybe it is too soon to go grey.

Sat 25/8   20002 steps- this must be the record!
Song:  I walk the line by Johnny Cash

We finally walked the High Line, (thanks Celeste). What a fabulous achievement stemming from the foresight of 2 individuals. Although it was crowded, I never felt pushed around or uncomfortable. Everyone was chilled, strolling along. It ended along the Hudson, so we had a short bus trip up to the Intrepid museum. I gave David a time limit, whizzed around and ended in the learning section of the Space section of the museum, indoor, air conditioned and most importantly, a bench to sit on. I watched videos about space and stars and galaxies while I waited for David.  David went through the ship’s control center and battled with claustrophobia in the tight spaces filled with people who do not have the same need for personal space as we do. After that, he was ready to leave well ahead of his allotted time and was very grateful we did not purchase tickets for the submarine.
The plan was to go to a night market in the Bronx, but by the time we got to Central Station, I was uncertain whether we would get back in time for our show, so we chilled and got a better look at Grand Central station which is pretty awesome. ( thanks Marilynn)

By this time, we needed to eat. We found a highly rated Chinese restaurant and walked there, but it was more of a take out joint and I didn’t feel like sitting on plastic chairs in the backroom. Luckily, there was an English pub and eatery across the road so we went there instead. Wooden tables, good beer/cider and English inspired food. Just what we needed. After that we went to see Kinky Boots. We loved this show, such a feel good experience and so well done, from the incredible stage setting to the performances,  to the music – all top class. (again, thanks Mariline). After that we did not feel like going underground to a dingy subway, so walked the 30 or so blocks home.

Clever idea of the day: We popped in a local hardware shop just to see and I loved this pipe idea for a small kitchen garden.

What I learnt: Kinky boots is loosely based on a true story about a man who saved his family business by catering for an unusual niche market. Characters have been added that bring in the glamour and promote tolerance and acceptance, but the bottom line is that when we see past stereotypes and think creatively, as with Kinky Boots; railways turned into walkways and pipes turned into gardens, we make the world a better place.

 

Fri 24/8    8782 steps
Songs: I love to ride my bicycle…Queen; Here comes the sun, thanks to guy singing (badly) in Strawberry fields

Finally we made some progress about getting my bike home. To celebrate, I got back on my bike and went cycling through Central Park. It was an awesome morning. We did the entire outer loop and then did some inner paths, including Strawberry Fields, (Thanks Bonny). I tried a pretzel from a vendor, but let’s just say it is not my thing. We had lunch at the Tavern on the Green and the 2 delicious ciders I had with my fried fish and plateful of  microgreens, were enough to end the outing. We went home and had a wonderful afternoon nap.

Later in the day, we went walked downtown and went for supper at Ellin’s Stardust. The line was out the door and halfway down the block when we arrived, so now we can tick off  another NY thing to do – queue for food. It was a fun evening, although I think their sound system needs upgrading. When we heard the MC give the same intro for the 3rd time, we knew it was time to go. Thank you, Mariline, for the recommendation.

My chuckle of the day: The poor bridal party and especially the grooms in kilts and long socks, in the blazing sun in Central Park, waiting for photo session to end.
David’s chuckle of the day: At the beginning of our ride, I told David that my bike felt harder to ride and I had to use my battery more than normal. After about 30 minutes, I said that the lube on the chain must have warmed up, as it felt easier. David thought this was very funny and explained that it was my legs that had warmed up.
What I learnt: Lube on bicycle chains does not warm up and make things easier.

Thurs 23/8   13298 steps
Song: Down Town by Petula Clark

Once again, we spent the morning trying to sort out how to get my bike home to no avail. We walked through some slightly dodgy neighborhoods to get to the Fedics shipping offices near the river, who we were told might help us, but they do not do ocean freight. They merely informed us what we already knew. By this stage I was ready to leave the bike behind.
We took the train to the Chelsea area to walk the high line, but needed lunch first. It was already after 3pm. So we walked a couple of blocks until I realized I was going the wrong way. We turned around and when we finally got to Eately, we were starving.
What a wonderful shop, you could spend the whole day there. There are many different eating areas, but David said he wanted to go to the meat restaurant. Our meal turned into a superb 3 course eating adventure. We shared “oh wow” porchetta and pork terrine appetizers, each coming with wonderful bread, then we shared a bowl of pasta, and finally a 20 oz ribeye with roasted eggplant, most of which we took home. Thank you, Celeste, for the recommendation, although I may have to come and see you about a loan. ($$$)

By this stage it was too late to walk the High Line so we walked back into Times Square. We did some extra steps as I lost my sense of direction again walking past the the iconic Flat Iron building, which is so beautiful, you don’t mind seeing it from both sides.
Then we went on a different bus tour called the Ride. You are driven in a bus with cinema style seating facing a large window. There are 2 “comedians” doing the narrating. There were also “random” sightings of street artists and interaction with people on the pavement who wave as you pass by. Although it is definitely cheesy, it was fun and we had some good laughs. It was also quite informative. We learnt that Times Square was once a red light district, until it was cleaned up and turned into a family area by removing the sex shops and adding lights. One of the buildings supposedly is empty because they make more money from advertising on giant screens that cover a large portion of the windows.

Chuckle of the day: The guy who brings the dishes at Eately, not to be confused with the waiter who takes the order, was a short, stocky guy, looked a bit like a prize fighter, and he came to arrange our table exactly as he wanted it before he brought out the food. David and I sat like 2 school kids to afraid to put our glasses down in the wrong place.
What I learnt: “Shipping” in America does not imply that a ship is used. That is Ocean freight and difficult to find, unless you are moving a large crate.