NYC Love

What feels like a long, LONG time ago, late in March, a coworker/friend (Shannon) and I ventured into NYC for a random day of tourism.  The plan had been to go to the Guggenheim and see where the day took us, but when another friend/coworker we had made the plans with backed out, we hoped on a train and just went where the city took us.  It was a fantastic day!

The weather was warm and springy, exactly what we needed after the horrific Northeast winter we had endured and it felt so good to just be outside and walking in the sun!  By the end of the day, we were slightly inebriated, bonded, and exhausted!  Both of our phones had died, which made for a tricky trip home, and no opportunity for more pictures, but when they were rebooted at home, Shannon found that her pedometer measured over 15K of walking.  Our feet were tired but it was a happy tired.  If you ever have the opportunity to just go into the City (which NYC will always be the only "the city" in my vocabulary) and roam around, I strongly recommend it.  My best trips into the big apple have been unplanned and unexpected, it's just better that way- much less stressful.

We started our trip in NJ- of course.  She lives in Jersey City and I was in Bayonne.  It was my first time on a city bus by myself and of course I missed it the first time- apparently the driver thought I was waving "hello" not "hey come stop for me!"  But I made it onto the next one and I met her at the Journal Square Bus/Train terminal under the Jackie Robinson memorial.

We hoped a train- which one, I don't know- and headed into the under water tunnels to re-emerge in the City.  We were starving so our first stop was Friedmans.  It was my first serious brunch (which is an NYC specialty) and my first time having chicken and waffles.  The meal went perfectly with my Peach Bellini and Shannon enjoyed hers with a bloody Mary.  I was so excited with this meal, I ate every bit of it and drank every drop.  Please do yourself a favor and go to this little hole in a wall establishment- it's clean, friendly, and delicious!

From there we made our way over to Bloomingdale's.  I had never been inside this store before and it was everything I hoped and more.  It was the epitome of decadence in the City.  Shannon kept checking if I was happy with being there because she was looking for a birthday gift for her husband and didn't want to bore me.  I really don't think she understood my excitement in simply window shopping.  I touched a $2000 coat!  I had never done that before probably will never do that again!  I was in awe and having such a good time enjoying such a simple and maybe even silly thing!  Next we wandered around and ended up in Central Park where we saw some very interesting street performers who were dancing and jumping over park goers.  The show was funny and impressive. 

This was just next to The Plaza, which is gorgeous and has a lovely area to sit and people watch just outside.  We sat for probably an hour and just chatted.  I love to just sit and talk to my friends; we got to know each other better and talk about what was going on in our lives- sometimes it's exactly what you need to feel good.

We made our way back to Bloomingdale's for some sinfully delicious cupcakes (I had red velvet and she had pistachio) at Magnolia Bakery.  The line was crazy but nothing compared to some other famous food landmarks and it was absolutely worth it. (Photo in collage at the end.)

After taking a touristy trip through Rockefeller Center (picture below,) Grand Central Terminal was our next stop and I was taken back by it's beauty.  I love how old buildings are so nice to exam and take in.  People used to care about what these places looked like.  It makes me sad that there is little attention to detail on new buildings being built.

Shannon brought me over to the Whispering Gallery which I had heard of before but never experienced.  The architect actually built this area with acoustics that allow you to hear what the person in the opposite corner is saying.  We were like little kids whispering back and forth.

We ended our night in Korean town at a bar called K Town Pub.  I had never been to a Korean bar and couldn't get enough of their chicken wings- they were spicy but sweet and had so much meat on them!  We also had yogurt, which I did not understand was a shot and not a creamy dessert until it was delivered to us, and Soju- a Korean alcohol that was served in a hollowed out watermelon.  This stuff is dangerous!  It's delicious so you drink it down without a second thought, but you feel it when you stand up.  We were certainly feeling a happy buzz as we made our way back to the train station to get back to dirty Jerz.

There was nothing specific about the day and I think the randomness it was makes it so fantastic.  It was just a day in the city to see and do things I had never seen or done before with a good friend.  I'm already looking forward to my next random adventure!

What city do you love?

What's your favorite random thing to do in that city?

Linking up with:

Ducks in a Row

A Savory Feast