A day spoiled by weather

The forecast for Saturday, Dec. 5, was not promising... cloudy, cold and rain likely.  We could attest for the first two as we left the hotel to get breakfast at Starbuck's, a block away.  When we finished, we headed for 5th Avenue to see more Xmas decorations and do some shopping.  Lindsay was supposed to join us for lunch but she couldn't make it due to a bad headache.  The cold and the fierce wind were more than the hood on my coat could compensate, so our first store to stop in was Saks.  I decided I needed a warm hat.  Karin had come prepared with one of her own, but I don't like hats except when I'm forced to concede the need.  I paid a ridiculous amount of money for a knit hat with ear warmers that reminds me of European children, but it did the job.  Aside from that, we were in awe of the store's indoor decorations (seen below) -- large silver trees filled with white lights that arched over the counters toward the ceiling.  It was simple, elegant and beautiful.

Outdoors, decorations on the street were giant-sized, such as the toy soldier below or the Rockefeller Center train.

Later in the morning the rain started. We thought we could escape the rain by going to the Museum of Modern Art.  As we walked the few blocks, the rain escalated.  When we arrived at the theater, the waiting line for tickets was a block long.  We decided we didn't want to wait in the rain.  Instead, we headed into the museum's design shop.  I decided to buy an umbrella.  Karin found an unusual toy called a Munny for her two boys.  When we left the store we looked for someplace to have lunch and settled on Lou's Cafe on the corner.  So glad we did because we had another celebrity sighting:  actress Judith Light was two booths away. 

The rain didn't let up so Karin and I headed for the hotel where we watched the last Harry Potter movie and then the Florida-Alabama game. 

Our last dinner in NYC was at the Azalea, an Italian restaurant not far from the hotel that we had been eyeing since our first night in the city.  It looked elegant, and we were not disappointed.  Although small, the space was well apportioned and even included a half-moon bar.  Since we weren't rushing off to the theater, we spent a leisurely evening enjoying the food and atmosphere, part of which was watching the snow fall outside.

The next day, when we were due to return to Florida, the sky was mostly blue and sunny and the air crispy cold -- it would have been a perfect day for more sightseeing.  But we had to get to the airport for our 1:30 p.m. flight.  We chose another car service to get us there and, on a Sunday, made the trip in only a half hour, unlike our drive into the city on Thursday. 

And what a change in weather in Jacksonville!   But it was good to be (almost) home, and now I can focus again on the coming holidays: baking, shopping and partying!

I don't expect another journey until May, so check back then.

Whirlwind trip to NYC

First impressions:  it's what I remember but twice as crowded, twice the traffic.  More small cafes and eateries; a surprise seeing TGI Fridays, Applebee's and Starbucks.  We stayed away from the familiar except for Starbuck's -- still has better coffee.  Car service better than cabs for things like rides to and from the airport.  Cab drivers nicer than I remember. 

Our first afternoon-evening was reconnoitering to find where we wanted to go and how far we would have to walk.  The hotel was on 51st and 8th Avenue.  We found a Thai restaurant 2 blocks away for dinner -- great dish of pineapple fried rice with chicken.   Many plazas had lighted trees (right).

Friday started with a tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The building is architecturally magnificent inside   The shot at left doesn't do justice to the arches of the ceiling.  The building is HUGE! I wanted to see the 18th & 19th century European art and we had to cross from one side of the building to the other, stopping to see Assyrian, Babylonian and similar collections on the way. 
One stop was the magnificent "angel" tree located behind one of the largest choir "screens" I've ever seen.


After a couple of hours walking and looking, we stopped in the museum's store..... and found so many Xmas presents and other gifts.  It was hard to choose, but so much fun!

For lunch, we met Karin's best friend Lindsay at Rockefeller Center and had lunch, watching the ice skaters on the rink and in view of the immense Xmas tree.  Then we walked up 5th avenue, enjoying the Xmas lights and decorations.  Cartier had a huge red ribbon and bow from top to bottom and side to side of the building, along with signature greens over the display windows.  One stop was at the Lindt chocolate store, and later the Magnolia Bakery, which according to Lindsay has the best muffins in the world.  To attest to that, a line stretched from the entry around the corner.  There was no lingering inside -- make your pick and pay, then out the side door.  I didn't eat my muffin (chocolate with mocha) until Saturday, but agree it was the best.

Dinner was at a quaint restaurant across from the hotel called Sweet Emily's.  The staff were attuned to guests needing fast service to get to theaters, and we did get that.  With satiated stomachs, we hoofed our way to the theater on 45th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.  The cold front had settled in by now but the walk felt good.  We knew the play, A Steady Rain, would have no intermission.... a nonstop 90 minutes.

The play was the reason for the journey to New York.  It was a limited run, ending Dec. 6, and starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman!  The play was a tour de force for both actors, and the writer as well. Apart from the distance and cost of travel, plus the fact it is no longer playing, I would love to see it again.  We ended our evening with dessert at the Pigalle. 


I'll continue the journey tomorrow.

Last minute details

Everything was packed last night when I realized I had neglected to include clothes for the flight.  So I made another foray into my closet to find pants, shirt and sweater that would be comfortable and warm.  I thought I was ready this morning for every contingency, but during the drive to Jacksonville -- where I would be flying out with my daughter Karin -- I realized I had forgotten to pack my hair dryer-curler.  A quick trip to Target in JAX solved that. 

Another last minute detail was deciding how we will be getting from the airport to the hotel.  Karin convinced me using a car service was the easiest way to go, and the cost would not be out of line with cab fare.   We chose a car service listed in the book New York for Dummies and found their Web site.  The car is reserved and will pick us up outside of the baggage claim.  It seems too easy.... I'll find out tomorrow.

I'm excited about the trip, especially after seeing several TV shows this week that featured New York at Christmas.  I probably won't be blogging while in the city, but will fill you in when I get back.