Tuesday, May 19, 2009

[nyc-oh-nine] day one
Written while using wifi on a Bolt Bus bound for Boston. Day 3.

DAY ONE:

It's been a while since I've traveled to the NYC with intentions of staying for a while. Last year, I was supposed to go on my first baseball trip ever to watch the Mets, the Yankees, and the Phillies. Never happened. Got sick - 103 degree sick - and the whole trip and a bunch of money had to be scrapped.

Before that, there was the weekend quick-trip, which was fun, but all too short. It was the summer of 2007 and Nikki had only a few months left in Albany, Lisa was in Manhattan for a month, and Jen Jen was having her 16th birthday party. That weekend was a whirlwind - and always fun - but, like I said, all too short. I really only had 1 half day and one night in Manhattan. Still made it out to some regular jaunts: Gray's Papaya, Canal St., the Lower East Side to party, Washington Square Park, and it was also the first time I heard of and tasted THE Halal cart.

Okay, so enough of the recapping of old trips.

This NY trip is also different because it's the first time I'm traveling with someone.

Day One starts at home. Union City. And my DVR. And bike. Knowing that I'm planning to stuff myself with grease and salt and cholesterol annd all the stuff that makes anything taste good while eating your body up inside, I made sure to jump on the bike to deal with my guilt.. I mean burn some calories and be heart-fit.

Huong comes by early to pick me up but before we go we catch the season finale of BONES like we scheduled earlier in the week. I'll talk about bones on Livin' Proof.

We leave and head towards San Jose to get some odds and ends done down there including her putting her yoga mat in the washer, me getting some coffee, and we getting some food for the plane. Then we were off - to the airport, to the gate, to the plane, and to New York.

Since last summer, maybe, I picked up and committed to finishing the last half of The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. 2-5 pages at a time, I've slowly worked my way through and thoroughly enjoyed the final part. I had 30 pages left to go before leaving California and I hoped to get it done in San Jose so I wouldn't have to pack it and carry it during the trip. Didn't happen, although I did finish it before we officially left the gate in the plane. More on that later.

We arrive in NY after a.. technically.. 9 hour flight (with time change) and jump into Carlo's GTI on the way home to Queens for a quick overnight stop before we run off to Manhattan. Like always, Queens was about catching up with family - especially the cousins, Tita Ems, and Lola. Like always, there was a lot of food - too much food. Like always, it was chinese food.

The night was nicely warm in Carlo's room with the ceiling fan going and the sound of it playing the nostalgic soundtrack of my past trips.

Ulam cooked @ 6:48 AM

Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home