Newsy News
I have so much to report, it's almost overwhelming...
Let's start with today's picnic on Lower Kerry Park. KidMetro set up a "housewarming" picnic for five of us at a grassy park near his new flat. The sun was out, the temps in the mid 70's...heaven. We ate well. Well, what can one expect with Andy's sister, AJ at the helm of the food department? So nice to have her in town from NYC. I miss her. Bummer she wasn't in NYC when I was. We could have eaten the town over, though, mulaohu and I did a good job of that on our own! Luckily I had travel pix still on my camera so I could relive some of my favorite memories of the week with someone who truly appreciates Nueva York...
Now where to begin with my New York trip...?
Maybe with a huge T H A N K Y O U to mulaohu for her friggin' awesome hospitality! From the Greek yoghurt and Italian pastries to the putting up with my lollygagging morning routine. I felt so comfortable in her cute pad in lively and colorful Astoria, Queens. Astoria suits her well, I'm glad she found the neighborhood to settle in. The local equivalent could be W.Sizzle, add an incredible ethnic diversity. Or Columbia City? Anyway, someplace where there is great food, high merchant activity, and close proximity to the city.
I'll have to add photos and details later. Let me sum up with a note on what I take away from the trip. Every vacation I take I try to incorporate into my life something I learned or appreciated from my destination culture. This trip gives me the urge to walk more. Not just to the beach or for leisure, but for transportation. I appreciated how much we walked to get around (I lost 4 lbs last week!). Mulaohu says the average New Yorker walks 4 - 6 miles a day, while the average American walks under 1/2 a mile per day. No surprise, really. I also want to just get out more. I seem like an "always on the go" person, but I'm usually getting places for obligations, not to just be somewhere and soak in the atmosphere. No, Seattle does not offer the nightlife or novelty shops or great, cheap eateries that New York does, but I know that just being out and about more will make me appreciate what Seattle does offer.
More later about my vacation, suffice it to say I loved how relaxing and stimulating and inspirational and e n j o y a b l e the stay was. One of my favorite highlights? Listening to mulaohu's beautiful singing voice, and joining along when I could catch up with her!