After one too many dog farts in Boston, we drove 5 hours to visit the city that never sleeps. After 8 requests, we found Francis a marathon running, french speaking, at one point homeless in San Francisco, just finished writing his memoir, super cool host in Brooklyn.
On our first day, we decided to take a 7.8 mile "hike" through Manhattan as directed by our backpacker magazine. This hike included a walk along the Tribeca boardwalk, a frantic search for coffee and a bathroom, central park and a stroll along Highline Park--a former elevated train track repurposed into an elevated park. At some point between boardwalk and parks we made a stop at Gray's Papaya for some awesome papaya juice and two dogs also known as the "recession special."
After Highline Park we got lazy and stopped for a beer at the nearest bar. We were stoked to discover they offered free food during their 4 PM happy hour. Tipsy, stuffed and happy, we then took the subway to Central Park where we got lost, posed for photos, and found a new method to make money: giant bubbles!
While leaving the park, we found an art auction preview. Despite Amber's fearful attempt to run out the door at the site of such extravagance, Marisa blocked the door and Albert distracted an Auction Dealer with his bright red t-shirt and interest in non auction items.
Marisa enjoyed the free wine, Albert and Amber the fancy cheese plates and we all enjoyed looking at the $30,000 pieces of art for sale--silently wondering when we would be kicked out. Our original intention was just to use the toilet, but the perks kept us there for at least half an hour.
Marisa enjoyed the free wine, Albert and Amber the fancy cheese plates and we all enjoyed looking at the $30,000 pieces of art for sale--silently wondering when we would be kicked out. Our original intention was just to use the toilet, but the perks kept us there for at least half an hour.
Our day ended with a visit to Amber's friend Chris and Caitlin's place in Brooklyn for dinner, delicious homemade pizza, local beers, and exhaustion.
On our second day, our host gave us a tour of Harlem, Spanish Harlem, the upper east side, and central park. He left us to meet with his editor and we decided to visit the tourists destination. Time Square and Rockefeller Center were lame. Crowded, with neon signs, they felt more like a giant mall than a place to visit. We then wandered through the rain to FAO Swartz where Marisa lusted over Muppets and Amber cringed at the bad music on the giant piano.
As the day turned into the evening we headed to Greenwich Village to see Francis' friend perform. We sat comfortably in a small cafe, drank wine, and watched the performer play a grand piano and belt out songs of broken hearts and men who use women. After the show, we joined Francis and his date at the nearby Thai restaurant for more alcohol and conversation. As Francis and his date decided to head home (those people with jobs go to bed early), we decided to walk the Brooklyn bridge at midnight.
Prior to our arrival there was a"Light the Night, Luekemia Walk" over the bridge and the party favors were balloons with lights in them. Albert noticed that they had all been thrown away and decided that digging in every garbage can on the Brooklyn Bridge is a perfectly good way to come up with 3 dozen slightly used AA batteries. The next day Amber got a message from her friend Chris asking if we left any suspicious packages on the bridge--apparently someone found a box with wires poking out of it and the bridge was shut down due to a bomb scare.
Prior to our arrival there was a"Light the Night, Luekemia Walk" over the bridge and the party favors were balloons with lights in them. Albert noticed that they had all been thrown away and decided that digging in every garbage can on the Brooklyn Bridge is a perfectly good way to come up with 3 dozen slightly used AA batteries. The next day Amber got a message from her friend Chris asking if we left any suspicious packages on the bridge--apparently someone found a box with wires poking out of it and the bridge was shut down due to a bomb scare.
NYC wrapped up with free ferry ride to Staten Island and back, famous Nathan's hotdogs, and a walk along the desolated off-season Coney Island.
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