NYC, Farewell for now

NY Grand Central Station

NYC never disappoints a person who enjoys the sights and sounds of the city (even if only for a short while). I wouldn't want to live here, but I do enjoy visiting a city with good public transportation.

When I arrived at Grand Central station, it was a bustling beehive of activity.  I was on the way to meet my nephew and niece in-law for dinner and I arrived plenty early because in my zeal of packing light for the trip to Beaufort  to start my journey (having only carried a laundry bag with me), I failed to think about the fact that I would need to bring my computer and iPad (and maybe a few other items) on the plane to go home so I was on the hunt for a small bag for the job.  I thought about just using a plastic grocery bag and putting a shirt around the laptop to provide some protection.  But I have arranged for Theresa to pick me up at the airport and I knew if she saw me standing on the curb with my plastic grocery bag as luggage, she would just drive on by.  I had been to NYC before and knew that there were street vendors that sold cheap bags.  After I arrived at Grand Central station I spent a few minutes in there just people watching. There is such a mix of locals just trying to get through their day and tourist who seem to always meander into the path of the person who is running to catch the train.  So after a while went outside to set about finding my bag.  I also knew that Chinatown would have shops with cheap bags, if I didn't find a street vendor before then.  My trusty google maps app told me it was only 2.9 miles to Chinatown, surely I''' find something before that.  The good thing is the restaurant where I am meeting Ryan and Emily is on 21st street, which is between Grand Central (42st street) and Chinatown (8 blocks past 1st street).

Who says these things are extinct, I found
a lot of them in NYC

As I passed by Union Square Park, I though it was my lucky day. It was a convention of super heroes. Nope it was just a few people who thought people would like to pay for having their picture taken with a super hero, at least they were making an effort and not just standing there with their cup out.  Although one guy in just plain clothes held a sign, "Free photo with each hug"...and you know how I like free stuff.  No, I passed on the free picture.

I kept seeing street vendors so I would detour over to the block I see them on, just to find out they are selling books, or t-shirts, or sunglasses, or incense, but no bags.  I made it to Chinatown by 5:30 I am pretty sure my 2.9 miles went to 3.5 after all the detouring to see what the street vendors were selling. I am supposed to meet Ryan and Emily at 7.  I looked through a few shops.  I had in mind a messenger bag, I have enough backpacks I didn't want another one of them.  So I found a messenger bag and tried it on, and decided it looked too much like I was going to work somewhere, I'll take that small duffel over there.

I had a great dinner with my Ryan and Emily.

Even downtown NYC the National
Guard Armory looks like a quonset hut.

I hoofed it back to the restaurant and had time to spare.  The arrive promptly at 7, even though Ryan had got stuck working late.  We had a great time catching up.  My other nephew, Nolan (who lives in the NYC area), is the lead singer in a band and it so happens that they have a show on Monday night.  I plan to surprise Nolan by just showing up and see if he confident enough in his recognition of me to say anything.  You know, you see somebody that looks like your uncle, but why would he be here.  I told Ryan and Emily of my plan.  They said they were thinking about going to the show as well, so we made plans to meet there.

After dinner I had about 20 minutes to make it from 21st street to 42nd street to catch the 10:20 train for the one hour ride back to Ossining, otherwise I have to wait until 10:56. I kept a close eye on my watch, I had to jog the last few blocks.  Thank goodness that I had downloaded the train schedule app on the way down and knew the train I was looking for was on track 38.  I sprinted to track 38 and jumped aboard.   The doors closed just as I sat down in my seat, made it with 15 seconds to spare.  After the train made its first few stops, that thought hit me about last minute track changes, I wonder if the phone app is updated, what if I am on the wrong train. I took the express train to the city, so all these stops were unfamiliar to me. The train filled up with Yankee fans at the 153rd Street Station (thankfully the Yankees won and they were in a good mood).  I was pretty sure I recalled passing a station that said something about Yankee Stadium on the way into the city.  A lady sat next to me and when we pulled into the next station, she asked if this was my stop.  I had to admit to her: I think I am on the right train, but I am not 100% certain.  She looked at my ticket and reassured me that I was on the right train.  A few more stops was Yonkers, that one I recognized.

Monday I went back into the city to surprise Nolan and Jessica and watch his band, The Planets, at Arlene's Grocery.  Emily wasn't able to make it, but Ryan met me at Arlene's.  I was really looking forward to seeing his show. The plan was to leave Arlene's about 9:45 so I could make it back to Grand Central to catch the 10:20 train.  Jessica spotted Ryan right away and we went toward the stage to see Nolan, I think he was very surprised to see me there.  He had heard I was in town (my brother almost blew my surprise), but he figured I was just passing through.

Wow, what a show it was fantastic. Nolan said they had 11 new original songs they would be doing tonight.  Before I knew it, they were saying we have 2 more songs.  Time flies when you are having fun, it was well past time for me to catch the 10:20 or the 10:56 trains.  Oh well, there is always the 11:20 train.  So after the show and taking time to visit a little while, Jessica flagged down a cab for me and the three of them sent me off to Grand Central.

I had a great time visiting with Nolan and Jessica

It was great to top off my time in NYC by visiting with Ryan, Emily, Nolan and Jessica.  Thanks to all four of you, it was great to catch up.

So for now I leave Lesson Plan in the care of this marina (in the shadow of Sing Sing).  I have cleaned her from stem to stern and when I return she should have a fresh coat of paint on her bottom, she'll be ready to tackle the Erie Canal.  To be continued July 18.

A Catholic Church and School in Chinatown