Slow Day

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After such a fun filled day a little rest was welcome.

We slept in, were slow to start, and mostly just took it easy. I had to pack to get ready for my Big Adventure and we only had time for a little light shopping in the city before I left. However when Greg and I stopped for a coffee and snack we discovered we were in the cafe belonging to one of the oldest hotels in America. The Cosmopolitan was very cute and very French. New York is making me realize that I'm not the only francophile- the whole county was when it started and what an influence France was in the image we created for ourselves! I also realized that almost everything in New York can boast being the oldest something-or-other.

Around five I took my leave of my friends and promptly got stuck in traffic. It only took about 5 hours to drive to Corning, so not too bad. I can't wait for the class to start!

Big Day

Sunday brunch- eggs benedict with crab rather than ham, with bloody marys and mimosas and all the trimmings like coffee cake and mixed fruit. It was enough to carry us through the Big Day.
First we attacked the Guggenheim where there was show on Frank Lloyd Wright's work. I gotta say being in his building was much more enjoyable than looking at architectural drawings. Maybe that's just me, Greg got all giggly about it.
Then a quick taxi took us to the Armory where Ernesto Neto is showing his HUGE interactive installation. WOW! You might remember that Greg and I stumbled upon one of his former works in the Pantheon, Paris when we were living there. This one was just as spectacular, and even better because it had a ball pit! Very sensual experience. Neto not only builds awesome looking structures but they involve all of your senses- tacktile, olfactory, taste (i'm not sure if it was intended, but i did taste one dropplet filled with clove)
Later we had reservations to a speakeasy! We had to find a nondescript phone booth at the back of an unassuming little hot-dog joint where they let you into a low-lit bar covered with taxidermist experiments (jackalopes and such) I'm not really one for mixed drinks, but this place is known for them so I ordered and was amazed. I'm in love with Sours now. But don't worry, it will not become a habit becase I don't think I could enjoy them elseweres.
For dinner Leanna and Paul had picked out an Indian restaurant they had visited once before. One star Michelin rating! Need I say more? There is no recapturing in words the delights that found our toungues.
We rolled back home on our bellies.

Chicago or New York?

The first trip in the morning was to Little Italy for lunch (i say morning, because it was for us, but the clock said 2!)
i thought i would solve the question of 'who has the better pizza' once and for all by going to Lombardi's - the oldest pizza joint in the new world. I gotta say, New Yorkers got something to brag about, but it aint nothin like the love of deep dish.
Saw some more fiends at the Met. Mainly I was enamored with Pieter Claesz and William Claesz. Heda. Can you see why?
unfortunately the European paintings took the whole day to get through- that museum is huge!
Later on we visited Vol de Nuit, the Belgian Beer Bar that Monica suggested and now I need to know how she found out about this place, cause it was without a doubt the coolest place to drink.
You are not even 21 yet young lady!