Kristi will be saddened to know that this place is no longer the café that it was when we visit in March (another reason why you must come and visit). Some of the changes are good: pencil drawings on the wall, and more seating because they pushed back the counter, but the sweet women who served us are no longer here (let’s stay optimistic and say it’s their day off).
On to other subjects, which are probably more important to you.
My first day in New York in one word: good/hot…ok I cheated, that’s two.
I arrived at La Gaurdia at about 9:15am, which was 6:15am in my PNW head. I had left my sleepy-plane medicine on my checked baggage (which were both over weight-probably the pills fault) so I didn’t sleep very well. The funny thing is that I can pretty much sleep anywhere…except planes. I got a little sleep on the second of my two flights (from Minnesota to New York) as the flight was pretty empty and I got three seats to myself!
I took a cab to sign my lease (WAY more expensive than the bus) but I was tired and had all of what I brought with me = way too much for my sleep-deprived self to bring on the bus. So I splurged and paid a wonderful man from Brooklyn to drive me. Although exhausted, our drive was a good length so we chatted for quite a bit. He has lived in New York for over 40 years, and thinks that I will probably fall in love with either New York or a New Yorker and end up living here (I told him my mother disagrees, but he didn’t care). He had a picture in his cab of Brooklyn’s former Hasidic Jewish leader whom he said others thought was the messiah. My cab driver did not, but kept the picture up because he was a great leader of his faith.
The other conversation was varied, but there was one other poignant topic: Church. We drove by “Transfiguration Lutheran Church” which he thought was humorous. He commented on congregation members becoming animals or storybook characters as they entered the church. We laughed together and then told him I was actually looking for a Lutheran church (or any really…) that I could attend, and perhaps I should use this as a sign to got there and check it out…and hope that I won’t turn into an animal (other than human, of course).
I signed my lease in an office that looked very clean and new (which I hoped my apartment to be). I walked (with all of my belongings) to my new home from the office. Don’t worry, it was a pretty short walk (THANK GOD!). I waited for my Super, and when he didn’t come the Maintenance-guy in my building gave me my keys and helped me to my apartment. He spent the rest of the day in and out of my apartment, finishing cleaning that the porter hadn’t, and sweating. My apartment was literally 1000 degrees…I didn’t even know thermometers went that high…hehe.
(My apartment, with it's lonely camping chair for furniture. Notice the fan box.)My first errand was to the hardware store, which was conveniently located in the bottom floor of my apartment building! I bought two fans and an Ethernet cord. I think I will be frequenting the place, not necessarily because of the convenience, but more so the two men working in the store. They joked with me, told me they had been in the business, locally for over 50 years and they were the best in the business. I wondered how their prices compared to those of bigger companies, but something about the price doesn’t matter. Although money is spare (NY is expensive) there’s something about putting money into the actual community (and building), instead of a nation/international chain store. So I guess this decision made me realize that I am now…officially and New York Local (at least for a year).
I spent the rest of my day running errands (some local, and some not so) buying needed supplies for living in my new apartment/unfurnished apartment. I was advised of a Whole Foods that was on a subway stop. I definitely went during a bad time of day…the line when I got there was literally ¼ around the store.
First Day in NYC:
• Bed
• Sheets
• Pillows
• Hangers
• Ice cube trays
• Towels
• First Day in New York
One of my trips brought me to Columbus Circle.
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