It was a lazy day, got to enjoy a classic all American burger with James, and met some of New York's finest police. They were all in their late 20's and easy to get along with and talk while grabbing some lunch. You know, a lot of people think of New York as a big seedy city where you can get mugged at every corner, and though we DID see a mugging, I feel safer in this city at 3am in 90% of it than I do when I'm locking up the shop in downtown Campbellsville in the middle of the night.
I knocked out my souviner shopping in a couple of short hours and checked out a few lil shops and flea markets where I was awful tempted to have my fortune read by Madam Pearl. But, she just didn't feel authentic to me... there was no incense and the crystal ball was cracked and I wasn't getting that "I'm a psychic" vibe out of the scene...
Got back to the hotel and got to relax and sort through all the amazing gifts my friends are going to get. HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!!!! riiiiiiiiiiiiight
Any big Seinfeld fans? James was able to scope out the cafe they always grab a bite at and we decided to hit it up for dinner before catching up with my cousin Andrea and her friends at a lil chill bar later that evening.
Sitting at the counter we got to talk with old Pete, he's not the owner, but he's been running the place for about 20 years and his thick Greek accent and straight forward manner was a lot of fun to experience. And though the diner has become a tourist attraction of it's own, very few of the hundreds that come to Tom's Restaurant actually take the time to grab a bite inside. I have to say, we had the lamb gyros with all the fixings and between that and the company it would be hard pressed to beat.
That shirt came from the band I saw with Patty and Jeff, it was listed as a medium... I wish they'd mentioned it was a kids medium, I DID feel a bit like the hulk though. lol I decided to change back before heading out, can ya blame me?
Columbia Univeristy is just up a block or so, and there's always a nice crowd that comes in to get some artery clogging deliciousness, and I expect that old Pete is going to be there for a good number more years.
After that we jumped back on the A train to downtown near the world trade center area to catch up with Andrea. I was pretty impressed with me and James navigational skills, all we had was a street corner to go by and we were able to get within 30 yards of this place. It IS called The Hideaway, so we had to ring Andrea who was kind enough to come flag us down from the corner and point us in the right direction.
Andrea and her friends where a lot of fun. It was a nice little neighborhood bar and a great place to have a drink and catch up with new friends. Andrea's in film school and has been putting together her portfolio films, one of her friends does some improv acting and even has a tv show she posts on youtube that has a nice following. Her friends are a great group of people as is Andrea, I'd say getting to just relax and swap stories and get to know more of the family was the perfect way to end the evening and a great trip.
We stopped off so I could catch up with Russel and Liddy one more time before they jetted off to the other side of the world. There's that nice little diner right next to The NewYorker hotel, and though we were too late for dinner, we did arrive in time to have some dessert and catch up on the last couple of days of the trip. Russel can always be johnny on the spot with a few good stories, being in New York just makes it too easy for him! lol, and Lidy I think enjoys the free show she always has and just get's in her zingers when Russel takes a breath lol
It was a great few days here in NYC, James was a blast to hang out with, we had a lot of common interest but a diverse enough interest that we were able to both get out and see some things we normally might not have done. It was a total blast here in the city, the sights, the food, the people and all the attractions, both the world acclaimed and the small little dives. But, whether New York or down in the small town of Campbellsville, getting to spend time with family is what makes it a lot of fun--and I can't wait to see the family again back in the Land of Oz!!!
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