Uptown, downtown, all around town with Mom

Mom and I had a fabulous weekend. We traveled as far north as ~230 St. in the Bronx, and as far south as Staten Island - where the ferry docked! We took 5 different subway lines - red, yellow, green, blue and orange. We walked from Park Place down to Battery Park (past the World Trade Center), then back up to 6th Street in the East Village (through Chinatown and Little Italy)! We walked from 97th on the west side down to 57th on the east side, took the subway up the east side and came back west via 103rd St. Then we walked from 48th St. to 26th street. Also walked from 97th to around 82nd, back up to 104th. And that was just the Manhattan walking - we covered almost the whole island! And had fabulous adventures :-).

So I ran around the reservoir (for the last time - sniff) Friday morning while Mom was flying in on her red eye. Mom arrived fine, and we ate some cheese and crackers for lunch - yum :-). And cheese curds Mom had brought! And fresh fruit :-). Then we set off! We went to a street festival (my Mom loves them) downtown and got me a hair clip and earrings, and Mom socks. Then we meandered around - I introduced Mom to Starbucks. Their vanilla coffee was good! Then we saw the World Trade Center. Made our way down to Battery Park and looked at a billion framed photographs of the city that were pretty. Then took the Staten Island ferry! Nice ferry ride - and free! Fun views. We basically rode over and rode back - there's really nothing to do on Staten Island. Then I convinced my Mom that it was a short walk to the East Village :-). She couldn't believe all our walking, but it was fun! We walked through Chinatown and Little Italy so she could see it. But yeah - lots of walking. We ended up at my favorite Ethiopian place in the west village - awesome food! And Mom and I shared a bottle of wine - yum. Great dinner after all that walking. Love Ethiopian! Next time going for tibs... It was nice just to hang with my Mom, too. So we walked back to the subway (my Mom didn't kill me yet for all the walking) and called it a night just as the east village was heating up!

Saturday we awoke early - I awoke to my Mom's "time to get up" call - as usual. We set out for our Central Park adventure. Grabbed bagels and coffee for Mom along the way - yay New York. Ate in the park, and then walked! Walked past the reservoir, past Delacorte Theater and the castle, past the boathouse and the bow bridge - pretty - and then down to the south end of the park. Finally saw the stone bridge I love so much in pictures!! Although I ended up buying the sequence of the 4 seasons on the maple tree walkway instead. But so pretty - and calming, the park. Awesome. Then we veered away from the park to hit the Harley Davidson store - yeah, guess who that was for! Took the subway back up town and walked across the park at 103rd, and home! Then quick shower and dressed up for our Broadway Show! We saw "A Chorus Line" which was fun - had dancing and singing! It was neat - although atypical with the other Broadway shows I've seen - no props, and mostly individual stories told by the characters just talking on stage. There was the overarching plot of the audition, but it was a bit thin. But it was enjoyable :-). Then we wandered around Times Square which makes me very chlosterphobic. Bleh. We stopped in at the M&M store which was really fun. Then I had to get out of there. So we hopped over to Bryant Park. Then headed down 5th Ave to find our Indian place with dosas. It was much easier with Shan Shan's Zagat guide! Awesome :-). Yum with the South Indian dosas and pakora appetizers! Always delightful - and Mom was really happy sampling all the great foods that she can't get in Brookings. So we called it an early night - subwayed home and watched "All About Eve" - a movie about Broadway stars made in 1950! Yay old movies. Thought it was appropriate with the setting and all. :-).

Sunday - another whirlwind. But it's fun, I swear! We got up leisurely and walked down to Popover Cafe which I'd been wanting to try. Awesome place - great atmosphere. Pretty good popovers - they really popped, but a little crustier than ours. Like that they serve them with every meal. Then they had great variety of food and drinks - I could have ordered 10+ different things to enjoy! Mom got a sort of greek egg scramble thing, and I got a spinach, mushroom and goat cheese omelet. Tasty :-). And filling with our side of bacon. So we set out again - I took Mom to Riverside Park so we could see the Hudson - pretty as always. Love those parks. Then we walked back up to 96th for another street festival! Wandered through it some - I actually got a little keychain (frog) with a clock on it which is useful, then a NYC t-shirt for me. Then we headed out to the Bronx to check out New York Botanical Garden! It was big - lots to walk, and we had to walk a mile to even get to the garden from the metro. It was really pretty - some of the gardens, and the pine forest, but mostly it was just nature forest and stuff - not lots of flowers. We really enjoyed the rose garden - still many in bloom! And we saw a wedding going on... Again - relaxing scenery, but we were tired by the end. So we bus+subwayed back in time to get a nice gyro dinner from the street festival in my neighborhood. Mom loves gyros :-). And we got another bottle of wine. BTW - I did get Mom a couple of Christmas presents in all our wanderings too - don't think all the things we bought were for me! But anyway, we were happy to take all our treasures and food home and just relax for the rest of the evening at home! Tiring weekend, but full and really fun.

I loved every minute of it. And I think I convinced Mom of the merits of this city - everything being so accessible, using public transportation, awesome variety of food :-). We just both agreed we didn't want to live here forever. But we had great adventures together! And it was just awesome to have her around - my companion for the weekend :-). I love that my Mom and I are best friends and we can just be around each other and it's easy - we understand each other and can talk about everything. You can't get that kind of relaxation from anyone but those who've known you for years and years. I love it. And I wish I could have that more often. I love you Mom! Thanks for the visit :-).

Now - I need my relaxation! I wonder if I just fill my time with all these things to do just that - fill time. Don't get me wrong - I love the things I do, but sometimes I just feel like I'm chasing my own tail. I am having fun, but I feel I've lost the ability to relax. What makes me calm and at peace anymore? I guess exercise... Anyway. Monday I moved, and now I'm in my new place. I love it! - love the neighborhood and my roommate is cool. Glad to be here, and I'm getting settled. More about all this later...