Back at it

I've just enjoyed a vegetarian chili and rice dish Rachel gave me after my Sunday run (treadmill). So tasty and healthy but really hope I won't be too full to enjoy Memphis Blues ribs in a couple of hours.

Life has been busy since I returned from my New York trip on Wednesday but I finally got some quality hanging out time in with R and H. We made stew (a first for me) had sushi for dinner and I watched the film Angels and Demonds while Henry slept on me. It was an awesome Saturday afternoon/evening and I now feel organised as I head into a busy week with laundry done and food in the freezer.

More (higher quality) pictures from new york on facebook. Not that any of it compares to the amazing stuff Dave has been putting up. Although, it looks like he is resting on his laurels in the blog world.

Day 4 NYC: wrap it up

Day 4 kicked off with brunch. Dominika was running late so I grabbed a latte in the Essex market. See attached photo of coffee beans. One man show coffee bar with old school espresso machine. After a late night with drinks (only 3 but that is a lot for me) I welcomed the caffeine.

Brunch was at Shopsin's in the market. Tiny breakfast and lunch place with great food where the staff are known to be rude. I was hoping we would get yelled at when Dominika asked what 'Hatch" was (hot pepper sauce) but they waited right until we left and yelled at us for trying to take a photo of the place. I had 3 poached eggs on spicy, cheesy garlic bread with peppers and chicken sausage. Yum.

Said goodbye Dominika (who was the best tour guide ever!) and got on the subway to head to Battery Park for Ellis Island ferry.

This experience was by far the most touristy. Full security check to get on airport, long lines and crush of humanity. After security we all piled onto to ferry; first stop Statue of liberty. Very cool seeing it from ferry.

Having purchased a ticket yesterday I actually got to go into the pedestal. Another round of security to get in and no phones allowed (sorry, no camera phone pics). Pedestal was very cool. Neat history on how it was but and restored, along with 156 steps to the lookout on the pedestal. You can visit the crown again (was shut down after 9 11) but tickets are sold out for it until March. Wandered around listening to audio tour and taking photos.

Next event was supposed to be Ellis island but I was exhausted and not in the mood for more tours. Maybe next time.

Ferry back to Battery Park and subway to Rockefeller plaza. And mixed nuts from street vendor. See photo.

Day 2 I had a brief visit NBC store but didn't look around and took no photos as I was running late for Greenwich food tour. Picked up a half dozen famous Magnolia's cupcakes (hope they make it home) and watched the ice skaters. Definite Christmas feel.

Now I am going to look for somewhere to get a pedicure. Tired feet.

Heading to Newark airport hotel in a few hours and then on 7am flight tomorrow. May take my only taxi ride when I bring my luggage to Penn station (to get to Newark) as it is 5 blocks and 2 subway transfers from hotel.

Awesome trip and I am looking forward to coming back soon.

Day 3.5 NYC: hanging with a local

All the photos from this adventure are on my regular camera. That is the downside to the camera phone in the evening.

Met up with my friend Dominika (she and her husband Ray were on my Morroco tour and live in NYC) at Union Square at 330pm. I was in luck; she had no plans for the afternoon and was happy to show me the east village while we caught up.

I think my bus tour had driven through the east village but I hadn't actually seen any of it upclose. Lots of character and brownstones. Tons of restaurants and bars but we started off with coffee due to the time. Cute little shop that reminded me of commercial street. From there we went for a glass of wine at a jazz bistro. Very cute and european looking. Dominika's friend joined us and we discussed travel hazards before her friend departed for a nightclub in chelsea.

From there we went to a hot dog joint. Inside the hot dog joint is a phone booth, you get in call, other side of phone booth opens and your in an old school speakeasy. We sat at the bar and had a cocktail and some fried (the fries are from the hotdog place since they're owned by the same person).

At this point it is 9 or so and we haven't had real food so we walk to Soho and a restaurant called Delicatessen. Apparently celebrities frequently dine there (not last night) and the food is amazing. Had another cocktail, squash and arugula salad, braised beef sliders and we split chocolate cake. At 1130 we called it a night and headed for the subway.

It was an 8 hour tour filled with excellent food, drink and company. Dominika uses her iphone to direct us places and also uses an app that suggests restaurants. Never lost or hungry.

About to meet up with Dominika for brunch and then I am off to the statue of liberty. Last night was for sure the highlight of my trip.

Day 3 NYC: flexibility

I attempted a short run on the treadmill this morning and found out all the walking has left a mark. Took effort to stretch and my knees said no to running. Did some elliptical and then got ready for what was supposed to be a day of seeing the major sites.

Kicked it off with the Empire state building. Had heard horror stories about the lineups but I breezed through to the elevator, no waiting. My plan to avoid tourist stops during the weekend was working.

View was great and reminded me that the city is crowded. Like the view of central park is actually blocked by skyscrapers.

Left with the intention of hitting the statue of liberty next. Arrived at Battery Park via the subway (i love the subway!) and headed with the crowds to the ticket booth. As I was walking there I got a text from my friend Dominika asking if I wanted to meet at 3pm in the east village. I said yes and that meant I needed to bust a move if I was going to make it to Ellis Island and back.

Turns out there was an hour wait for ferry so I bought a ticket for tomorrow which also meant I would get to go into the pedestal (sold out already for tody).

Checked guide book for lunch recommendation and chose a cuban restaurant at south street seaport pier 17. Conveniently this is where the brooklyn hop on hop off tour starts from. Lunch was delicious and exactly what I needed after pizza and baked goods yesterday; lots of vegetables and chicken.

Took the bus tour of Brooklyn and it was boring.

Then met up with Dominika and have seen too much to add into this blog at this hour. More tomorrow but we hung out from 3:30 until midnight and visited four different places including a real speakeasy. It was like insider's tour of the city.

Day 2 NYC: all about food

I started off the morning with another bus tour. Downtown this time. Tour guide was much less annoying. It was chilly out but I stuck with it. Downtown tour included Flatiron building, Empire state building (still need to actually go in and up), Chinatown, Little Italy, World Trade Centre site, a mass exodus from the bus as everyone got off at Battery Park to take the ferry to see the statue of Liberty, United Nations and the Waldorf Astoria. I hopped off the bus at Rockefeller Centre to check out the NBC store. Quick shopping and upon departing the store I realised my tourist mistake; I was no carrying purchases and still had a long day ahead. Dashed back to hotel to drop merch and then sprinted for subway to Greenwhich and food tour.

I was late and slightly panicked but made it.
The food tour was a recommendation from Niina. 3 hours in Greenwhich tasting food and visiting shops. I loved the food and the neighborhood.

Highlights include;
- mini canollis from Rocco's (they fill them when you order so they are fresh and crisp)
- homemade rice ball from Faicco's. Made with three different cheeses. They're deep fried but not greasy.
- a three mushroom rissoto at Centro Vinoteca that I paired with a big glass of red. Yum.
- cheese platter from Murray's cheese shop. There were also mini gerkin (?) pickles that were super tasty...normally I toss the pickles from burgers.
- seeing the apartment on Friends...well external shot of the apartment since Friends was filmed in LA.

I want to go back tomorrow and try a restaurant for lunch. I was fairly full by end of day so rather than sit down for a meal I grabbed a slice of New York's #1 ranked pizza at Bleeker's st pizza. Like being in Italy.

To burn off some of the calories I walked roughly 50 blocks, touring Broadway and looping back up through Times Square.

Sorry I don't have pictures of all the food. Too busy eating. But I attached a couple of pictures of my hotel room. Heard horror stories of the small size of NY hotel rooms. I pricelined this one and it has a king bed, kitchen, two desks and massive bathroom.

Tomorrow: goal is to see Empire state building and possibly get to the Statue of Liberty. Have to see how weather and time go.

Day 1 NYC

Sitting in diner a block from hotel about to enjoy what will probably be very average fare. There was a nice looking italian restaurant close by but I wanted to check off NYC diner from my list.

Today was focused on walking the city since the weather is great and the rain is supposed to start soon. I walked the Brooklyn bridge, strolled Park avenue, wandered with the masses through Time Square and then sat on a bus for an hour and a half for a hop on hop off tour. Those things are the way to go. I was a little annoyed as it was an actual guide versus audio tour but I made it through. The bad jokes always remind you that you're a tourist. In case you've forgotten that you're on a big red double decker bus.

The city is just as great as I thought it would be. Probably even better. While the subway is packed and dirty, it is super fast and people seem nice. I feel like I am walking in a movie set since up until now I've only seen it on the screen.

I've probably walked 15k today so I will be heading to bed early.

Tomorrow; Greenwhich food and walking tour, possibly Empire State building if I can get there early enough. I really want to go for a run in Central Park but have to wait and see how the weather is.

Off to the races

Shotgunning a latte and just finished an English muffin with almond butter. Off to catch the #17 to UBC in about 30 minutes. Weather is horrible; wearing my fleece lined running tights, a couple of layers and then a waterpoof vest to top it off. There is a rainfall warning and it is 6 degrees. Will be a cold 21k.

Last night's post was my Saturday highlights from my camera phone.