Hit the ground running in NYC…..Loving Life!

I was blessed with my own personal driver from Woodstock compliments of Helene. John (pictured below) is a native New Yorker from this upstate region, a retired UPS driver, he is in his late 60’s and just became a first time grandpa. His son lives in Portland, ME. He was a chatty friendly guy and we talked the entire drive. He drove my car and will bring it back to Woodstock to stay in Helene’s garage. CUJ- he has been to all 32 MLB stadiums. I told him about your recent trips and how this is your goal to conquer as well. We arrived into the CITY right on time, exactly a 2 hour ride. I was greeted by my new doorman in this UES very safe, beautiful neighborhood I know so well. My building is seriously 2 blocks from where Jon’s apt was, that it all feels so familiar. This will be a fun-filled chapter 3 of this adventure. Living life like a local in the city that never sleeps.

I really hit the ground running, as I had blocked my morning to make the drive, but had a full work day from 12-6pm. Got unpacked, did grocery shopping, and had to get settled into my new September home. Grocery shopping was my first big lesson. My doorman suggested the closest store, Gristedes. Well I learned pretty fast at checkout that this is not the place to do ALL the shopping. The bill was a fortune. Lol…

I have a friend here who had invited me to a Shabbat gathering 40-50 people starting at 8 pm at the Sailors & Soldiers monument near UWS. I had never seen this beautiful structure before, or met any of these people. It felt like a true welcome to this busy city that has SO much to offer. Prayers were sung, challah shared, wine served, and donated left over food from kosher restaurants in the city that are normally thrown away are given to this group. I was sort of shocked that upon arriving into this city I had this generous invitation of kindness and met so many friendly people. The common denominator of being jewish, even though not religious. Fascinating to me on so many levels. I met this awesome girl from CO, and many other people. She and I exchanged info, as she too is a Gedale fan, she is trying to switch careers. I provided her hope that dreams do come true. Doubtful I will do this Fri shabbat gathering again, but it made for a warm welcome for what can sometimes feel like a cold city to me. Many of us walked to the East side together, across and through Central Park along the reservoir. The full moon lit up the skyline of buildings, reflecting off the water so magical So many people in the streets, also celebrating shabbat. Its wild to me how huge the jewish population is in NYC. We say shabbat Shalom to everyone while wandering home. I didn’t get in bed until midnight.

An early morning start for me….getting my bearings in my new neighborhood. I did a walk along the East River, wandered all through the East side streets, passing farmers markets, tons of families out walking to temple, kids on bikes, lots of old people too…. headed home for my first home cooked breakfast in my tiny galley kitchen. I made my way to Central Park south to meet Mrs Fancy & Jr Fancy. I get to spend 3 full NYC city days with The Cohen girls. We lunched at Sara Beth’s and made our way to the Natural History Museum to see the Hall of Gems, the hugest giods/mineral rock display, the dinosaurs, and a few other rooms. You could truly spend hours in that place. I got us in for free(pay what you wish when a NY resident). Only had to show proof of address, I had my lease with me. It was such a gorgeous sunny day. We walked all over Central Park people watching, listening to all the live music, bikes and horse carriages going by us. I LOVE this City! We all walked to find a 5 star potty at The Marks hotel, Mrs Fancy knows of every marvelous bathroom in the city. I left them on Madison Ave to do some shopping, while I got a manicure. We all met back at my home to rest before our special dinner at Boqueria. Mrs Fancy husband is the COO of this restaurant group, that our delicious Spanish tapas dinner was fully comped. Thank you, Mike G. This has always been a staple spot for me, having been with Danielle, Woodley, and Jon- all on separate occasions. And funny my apt here has the Boqueria cookbook in the kitchen. We celebrated Tracy’s birthday, they brought out every dessert to try. It was a quiet, yet yummy perfect night. Today I walked 14.4 miles, a record day of 30K+ steps.

Plans to meet Sunday for SOHO shopping and brunch at the famous Balthazar restaurant. I followed them as they selected all the stores to enter. They are serious shoppers, I sit like a man in these stores. Lol. We ventured through the smelly crowded China town on foot. I thought Junior fancy(Tabby) might kill me. It was hot, humid, and we had walked from the top of Manhattan, all the way to the very bottom of lower Manhattan. We stumbled upon the most delicious hot warm cookies store at the South Seaport. These were mouth watering scrumptious. Walked along the water to board the Staten Island Ferry. A front row seat to the beautiful lady……the Statue of Liberty. It was a relaxing boat ride. On the way back we met a nice group of orthodox girls. I struck up a conversation and the girl Shayna and I exchanged info. She may connect me with the guy who lives in Crown Heights who offers a walking tour of the ultra orthodox area. Im so intrigued to visit and get a locals perspective. If she cant connect us, she personally will show me around. It was such a nice conversation hearing all about their lives, having just returned from studying in Israel and now experiencing life in the heart of the Brooklyn neighborhood. She is originally from PA. Such polite friendly girls.

The ferry started the departure, we waited to disembark til the crowd subsided…..another jewish man approached us inquiring if we were jewish, upon learning yes, he offered to blow his shofar. Omg, this is such a special treat, especially during this month of Elul leading up to the new year holiday. Im in constant awe by how surrounded we are in NYC. Super special. We exited and were sooo hot and sweaty that we finally broke down and took a subway home to Tracy’s hotel. Time to rest and shower before dinner. I chose to walk home (bad idea), but again good for exercise. I beat my record from yesterday and made this a 15 mile day. I have seriously walked from the top of the city to the absolute bottom today more than one time, nuts! No worries, I have purchased a metro card and downloaded the city mapper app- an official Subway girl now while writing.

We met up for a late 9:30pm dinner at Minetta Tavern. Yummy…..my best meal so far in NYC. A very fresh watermelon/mint salad, an arugula/artichoke salad, the BEST cheeseburger w/fries, coca-cola, and a Chocolate soufflé. Good city people watching and eavesdropping at this restaurant. We walked at midnight through Washington square park, staring at the empire state building. I jumped on a subway uptown homeward bound.

Last day together was a fancy brunch at the Restoration Hardware rooftop, walking my favorite high line, and strolling through the “village”. Ohhhhh how can I forget, we made our way up to the Landmark Tiffany 7 story store. Crazy diamonds, sparkle, fancy, loving blue box heaven. What an experience. A real sight to see! Said our good byes on a st corner. I said hello to living like a local in my new city….Grocery shopping, a nice massage, well deserved. A home cooked dinner for me. I gotta stop eating like a queen. Tuesday starts my real work day, I booked a desk at the We Work and got all ready for my first day to meet new people.

It was a hot hot humid day, took the subway…hotter down there. My new found friend from Friday shabbat, Yaffa from CO invited me to Tango on the Hudson River. Why not? I ran home to change and drop off work computer. I have a friend……What a night! Adding culture around every corner. My live video footage is priceless. I got a lesson by the teacher and converted my 2 left feet. The views of the NJ skyline at dusk was priceless. Her friend a guy joined us after with his dog. We strolled by a park where they had huge TV /movie screens outside showing the US open. No kidding this city never sleeps. I said bye to her on the UWS, and walked to Central Park. Don’t worry I have learned my lesson and will be putting my safety first……with it being 11 pm. I hung at The Plaza for a break and got an Uber home.

My niece Rachel and her bff, Casey arrive midnight on Thursday. I have some rest until the steps get crazy again. And more work days ahead. Wishing you all a beautiful week.

Love Laurie Sue

AKA- Dora ❤️🎉🧚🏻‍♀️💫🙏🏻😘