Oh hey! A few weeks ago, Paul decided to go surprise his mamma, and I decided to renew a friendship and enjoy New York while I did it.
And... because I'm late to the party, I highly recommend checking out Megan's version of our day in New York found
here.
So, the day began with a walk across the Raritan to the train station. I just love the Rari and I rarely get a early morning view of it that's not driving in my car. Please be impressed that this was taken through a chain link fence.
Along the way I stopped to enjoy New Brunswick's finest art, and take pictures of my shadow like a loon.
Then I hopped right on the train to New York (one earlier than I had planned, which put Megan in quite the rush, sorry!) Did you know that NJ Transit trains have these great ticket punchers, they wear the hats and all and make little clickety noises with their ticket punchers.
First up was a pitt stop at the super fancy Bryant Park bathroom (I never knew it was there!) and then next door to the grand New York Library.
The steps of the library provided a nice little view of this Avenue. Doesn't it seem like a man-made slot canyon? I always feel like that in New York.
The library was really more of a museum, with fancy architecture, and great displays... Beethoven people!
Then we walked and walked and walked to Chelsea Market and waved the Gridiron and the pretty sky on the way. Every time I've been to New York it seems like its dreary gray skies (which happened eventually on this day too), but for a while there was white and blue loveliness.
And, hey! Xavier School! :) It was so nice to be with someone who appreciated pictures and blogging and we enjoyed lots of stops for great photo opportunities, more so Megan than me because she had real camera gear going on, and I was just iPhoning it.
Chelsea Market had these fantastic white lights and smelled like coffee and fancy people.
There were all sorts of great shops and displays and I really enjoyed these oranges.
Just outside was this nice pier-ish thing, and I wondered what all those sticks were once for, does anyone know? A dock? Oh well they looked great!
Then to the high line! A park built on an old above-ground train line. What a neat use of space, and I very much want to go back in the summer time. However, the winter pallet was also nice.
Especially this tree! I love that.
Pupppppppies in the window!
Isn't this great? Lots of subway adventures were had, including the time that we were trying to escape from a crazy man, but we were on the end car and he was blocking passage to all others. So, we got off the train at the next station to escape the crazy who was at the time flipping us off and yelling things, and I hop right on the next car and the people in the car all go "Ooooohhhh..." I turn around to see Megan on the platform and the doors shut right behind me. Whoops! But actually really funny because we ended up just fine.
Old cemeteries always catch my eye and I really enjoy them. This one is in the Business District, and I wish we had had a little more time to check it out, but we were on our way to...
The 9/11 memorial which was touching and powerful and a great experience. I highly recommend it.
Other high school friend, Valerie met us there and it was great to catch up and spend some time together. She is a really amazing artist and is living in New York pursuing her dreams which I really love. She is
releasing her EP next week and I'm very happy about it! Val is such a refreshing person to be around, so happy and cheerful yet thoughtful and inspiring too.
And hey! I got to see a New Jersey sunset (that's Jersey City skyline we are looking at here). You see, New Jersey has so many trees that you can't really see very far, and they kind of block my view - maybe just because I'm used to the wide open skies of the West, which I love love love.
Megan and I hopped on the Staten Island Ferry to wave to Lady Liberty and get a good view of the pretty night skyline. Along the way we had great talks, and Megan kept me warm with her plethora of winter accessories (thanks!). I think we both really needed this day to figure out our always-kind-of-weird friendship. It was nice to know we are both older and wiser, and really have lots of things in common, and I don't think we stopped talking the whole day. Isn't it nice to find a friend like that? Even if you've already known them for many years?
What is a New York trip without a visit to Times Square? No camera flashes required, which is always my favorite part!
Then a pit stop at Magnolia Bakery for a delicious piece of chocolate cake. Yummmmmm.
Then Megan headed back up to Boston and me and my super frizzy hair took a train home to New Brunswick, with very sore legs and the satisfaction of a new real friend.
