My last week in NYC….until next time🍎🗽

Sunday was a rainy day again….. I had hibernated the day before, having a true pause before the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, I refused to stay inside on a Sunday. I had learned about the NYC ferry which is only $4, and used for transit on the water. It turns out the East Side River route has a dock 2 blocks from my front door. Bingo…..Dora was on the prowl. My cousin Adam suggested I visit the Holocaust museum if I had not been, I had only visited the DC & Israel one. The NYC one is located in Battery Pk. Perfect reason to explore this $4 ferry ride. With my umbrella & rain coat I hopped on this bare bones transit ferry at the 90th st dock, took it alllll the way down the river to the Wall st lower Manhattan dock. It was a 15 min walk along the water in the rain from there. The museum was powerful, as expected. I had the entire place to myself and 2 hours to experience the collection of artifacts. The live footage videos of survivors sharing their personal stories was the best part. What I enjoyed was how incredible of a job all museum curators do of these memorabilia pieces of history that amazes me, is the ending. For such a dark, topic filled with tragedy, horror, utter sadness and despair – the last exhibit was bright filled with hope. The top floor was an escalator to this entrance lit up with a skylight and bright lights in a circular room with huge framed photos of many survivors. It was touching and showed the positive side of the darkness. Like the yin/yang. We are survivors.

I left there and headed to the famous Prince st Pizza, I had heard about being a must try. With it being the evening of Kol Nidre, a 24 hour fast was upon me. Trust me I probably should have started early, lol As my body needs a serious month long fast….oink oink.🐽🐽 The pizza was not my fav, as more Detroit/Chicago style, but I ate it. Homeward bound to get ready for Kol Nidre services at my very first renewal temple, Romemu on the UWS. . I met Dr Sharon Stills, my dear friend from home. She was so generous to offer me to be her guest at this unreal experience of Yom Kippur holiday in NYC. She had guaranteed a night I would never forget, and in the 2 days spent with this unbelievable rabbi- she delivered. Thinking Im saving the true experience for my next ‘JEWDICIOUS’ article, so not too many details here. The contrast between this temple & Crown heights was mind blowing to this girl. Both wonderful, yet so night & day. His sermon that night was in reference to the TV Show, The Bear….I will be watching it when near a TV again. The analogies to life being messy like a kitchen is messy was so inspirational. This rabbi described his temple as being a Torah from the heart. I loved every minute….including the meditation circle at the breakout sessions the next day, the lyrics of a cold play song being sung, the musical instruments, singing, dancing, hugging, and so much more. And to learn this Rabbi had grown up orthodox and then started this type of temple, fascinating! Renewal is a mix of kaballah, reform, meditation, and astrology. The end of the service on the following day/night before we broke the fast was like a real NYE PARTY, the actual celebration of this Jewish New Year. Thank you Sharon!! We ended the fast, just the 2 of us at a Turkish restaurant over wonderful conversations and said our good byes.

Tuesday was another work day….With this being my last week I was on a mission to try many different We Works, I have traveled all over the city and I think in total went to 6 different locations. All so different, with cool views, amenities, vibes, design, and furniture. They each give out treats and offer a different work environment. So much fun to be a remote worker in a large city with so many other remote workers. Co- working spaces add a level of joy & excitement to work. Tonight was another night out with Tracy, Mrs. Fancy is back again. She is in the city with Mike. We have another comped yummy meal at Boqueria…. a total bonus being married to the COO of a restaurant group. Thank u again, Mike G. T & I met for drinks first on a roof top with views of the Empire State building lit up red/white/blue. Our dinner was delish and Mike joined us for part of it. I decided to walk 40 blocks home as to make up for missed exercise days due to weather. Stopped for a yummy gelato on the walk home, as it was a place many had recommended on the way….lol An israeli gelato spot called, Anita Gelato…..a cool story family affair. Started in the Mediterranean, opened in Australia and now 2 locations in NYC. It was yummy……

Wednesday- another new We Work, as I had plans to head to Brooklyn tonight after a full work day. Tonight was a real treat. I took a subway to Greens point, Brooklyn to see Drew and finally meet his boyfriend Tiger. We had a yummy high end Mexican dinner with the BEST conversations. They just returned from Japan & South Korea, and are both talented successful artists. The weather was incredible, the sunset magical, and the evening priceless. I have known 22 yr old Drew since he was born…..I cannot be more proud of the man he has grown into…..such a determined, wise, brilliant kid! I invited myself to check out his art studio tomorrow night after work. He paints in the World Trade Center on the 28th floor in his own studio. He applied to this program with 1200 other people. They only offered this art studio arrangement (for free) to 25 esteemed artists, which he was one of- I mean this kid has made it!! He will be famous one day! His life-size paintings are getting picked up in 3 days for an art show in La, CA. One sells for $ 38K. He is the real deal! I was honored to watch him paint. If interested check out my FB post to see more paintings. I chose to subway halfway home and walk the last 40 blocks. I love a late night walk in these streets that never sleep. Madison Ave is one of my favorite streets to walk before choosing to go east. The best window shopping and the exercise is needed.

The next day I chose another We Work to be near my Mitzvah Tank rabbi at lunch time, if you recall I had gone to his house, but did not get to visit. We had tried to connect and today was the day on my mid day break. I climbed aboard the Mitzvah Tank parked near Trump Tower….. we visited for 40 minutes. I so love all these deep spiritual conversations I keep having with people. A few others were there and the convo was all over the place. It was a real treat to spend quality time with him. Tonight was dinner at home and time to pack up and do laundry. Getting sad chapter 3 is coming to an end. I have truly loved my 30 days spent in this vibrant city that is electrifying. Not sure how 3 months has flown by already?!?

Friday was another rainy day….it has seriously been raining a lot and is cold, fall has arrived for sure. No winter on the east coast for this desert girl. My apt is freezing, thank goodness for Casey’s blanket. My doorman warned me not to go out today unless I had too, it was my last full day/night in the city. I cant stay home .….he directed me how to take the cross town bus to the subway as it was raining cats/dogs….coming down SO hard. By time I arrived at my final We Work location next to Grand Central – my feet including socks were drenched! I took off my socks & shoes. A fellow worker told me I inspired him to do the same as his feet were freezing too. This is for the birds!! I had my lunch delivered, a first for me not to venture out. My CUJ called to warn me that FOX news showed NYC under water with subways flooding. He said don’t take the subways, as there are floods in lower Manhattan. I have plans for dinner tonight with Julie and he advised her to go home too. Well the 2 of us are not the best listeners…..ha ha. If your a DTG follower from its inception you remember she is my elephant poop water partner in crime. I took the subway home and she stayed late- LOL. we are both true rule followers and a bit stubborn.

Don’t worry we survived….I met some wild fun African girls on the subway, as it was crazy and a bit scary down there today. One was from South Africa and the other from Gana. We all helped each other out. They were alarmed after I told them I had been advised not to come down here. We laughed and held on. We were packed like sardines, with serious delays, crowds, and a tad more crazy people than usual. CUJ- you were right! I was happy once I got home and decided to uber to dinner. Ha…. My last night out…..I had a yummy Italian dinner at Parpadelles near Columbus Circle w/ Jules. A real catch up fun night out together.

Today, Saturday I got all packed up, had a manicure and a massage before my driver John arrived to take me back up to Woodstock. I said a sad good bye to my fabulous doorman and told him I would be back.

I write this post, cozy in the yellow house with Helene. The drive scenery was stunning. Fall in the Catskills has arrived on the lush colorful trees. This libra driver had recently hiked the Appalachian trail from GA to ME, crossing 13 states, 2000+ miles after retiring from 35 years at IBM. I was fascinated and intrigued by him. Let’s just say our 2 hour drive seemed like 10 minutes. We chatted the entire way. Helene prepared dinner at home and we have a full day planned for tomorrow in Woodstock, Sunday.

Chapter 4 starts on Monday……stay tuned…….Bye Bye NYC, I will miss you! Thanks for such an incredible adventure!

Love Laurie Sue

aka Dora 🍎🍁❤️😘💫🎉