There is nothing I like more than a good old fashioned spur of the moment road trip. Last Saturday was supposed to be beach day with two girls from my small group, but alas, rain was in the forecast. As an alternative, we decided on Friday night to head to Hershey, Pennsylvania the next morning. Hershey is only a three hour drive from the city, and I am keeping my car in Connecticut for the summer, so we had free transportation. We loaded up around 11 a.m. and started our trek to the motherland for chocolate lovers.
Hershey is an absolutely amazing place to visit. It is off the beaten path, buried deep among farms and pastures, and yet could be deemed a miniature version of Disney World. There is an amusement park, a museum, an arena for concerts, a botanical garden, an outlet mall, the actual Hershey factory, a 3d theater, a make your own candy workshop and a ride that would remind you of It's a Small World After All. I only saw one gas station, which happened to be located smack dab next to their largest roller coaster. The lamp posts in downtown Hershey are replicas of the Hershey's kiss, and there is a giant sign on the hill outside of their high school that reads "Welcome to Hershey". It's hard not to be happy in Hershey.
When we arrived, we rode the "small world" ride, which is basically a child friendly tour of how the factory works. After that came the 3D theater and the making of our very own chocolate creation. I chose dark chocolate for my bar, with chocolate chips, cranberries and almonds on the inside. We also got to design the exterior wrapping. I was so happy by this point, as you can imagine. Following our play time, we headed over to the Hershey rose gardens, which overlook the city. There we found a festival of food and drink from local vendors, foot grape smashing, music and some of the nicest people I have ever met. We spent the next few hours exploring the grounds, until they forced us off due to "tornadic weather", aka "I just want to close up and go home because I've been here all day." Regardless of our earlier than expected departure, we had such a great time and stuffed ourselves silly with free baked goods and baby back ribs.
That night we got a hotel in Harrisburg, which was only twenty minutes outside the city. We then promptly found the nearest Chick-fil-a, begged them over the phone to stay open an extra 15 minutes so we could have food, and drove like mad women to get there. I literally told the woman that I wouldn't be able to have Chick-fil-a for at least four more months, and to have pity on us. After dinner, we trucked on back to the great Super 8 where we called it a night for $20 a person. The next day we did some major shopping (all of us got out for under $100 and got some steals-no tax!), and then headed back to the city. I had such a great time with those girls. All three of us moved to the city within a month of each other last year, so we have a pretty tight bond. It's similar to the one you have your freshman year in college, when you are all going through the same major changes at the same time...you tend to stick together. I look forward to many a road trip in the future with them...to the crayola factory, to PA Dutch country, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard, Niagra Falls, and wherever else the wind may take us.
Josh and Ashley were able to come up this past week for Josh's job, so I was fortunate to be able to spend some time with them as well. Some of the highlights for me were seeing Spiderman on Broadway, beach day with Ashley, eating at a great new find in Brooklyn called Bubby's and also eating at the Boat House in Central Park (we did a lot of eating.)
Spiderman was actually quite good, despite the negative ratings it has gotten. Since they changed the show's director, improvements have definitely been acknowledged, but they still say it is cheesy with bad music. I will agree to the bad music part, but the costumes and acrobatics make it very worth while. Another lucky moment...I got tickets that day at the box office for $30 each, for the last night of previews before opening night! I simply asked for any available rush tickets (they usually only sell to students in increments of two), and she handed me three on the front row in the balcony. One of our seats had an obstructed view, so we shifted after the first act and I ended up closer to the center between two random people who I did not know. And boy oh boy am I glad I did that. Spiderman ended up coming to the platform right in front of me at least three times during the second act, gave the woman next to me a high five at one point and then winked at her husband at the end. It was absolutely amazing! I recommend it to anyone who may be visiting NYC this summer.
While it was so good to see family, and will be good to see the group of friends I have coming up in the next few weeks, it will be nice to have a low key weekend. The only plans I have is to attend a Mermaid Parade in Coney Island on Saturday (I have a friend marching, swimming, or whatever else you would call it in the parade) and a going away party Saturday night for a friend from small group. Other than that, I plan to finalize all shopping and other arrangement for my 4th of July Vegas trip. This has been, and will continue to be , an amazing summer. I am truly blessed to be able to experience life here this time of year, and also to venture out to places I have never been.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Braves, Boats and Babies
If the summer turns out to be half as good as this past weekend, then I am in for a real treat! Not only was the weather perfect (70s, sunny), but the agenda couldn't have been more entertaining. Friday night was the Braves/Mets game, and I went with my friend Rich. We were able to secure $15 seats that weren't actually half bad. I was one of the only Braves fans in a sea of blue and orange, but I definitely stood proud. Thankfully we won, even though the game was quite close. It was your typical summer evening of baseball, complete with hamburgers, hot dogs and onion rings (all which cost more than the ticket to the game).
On Saturday, several people from the small group I attend arranged a trip to Governors Island to celebrate a few birthdays among us. Governors Island is just south east of the southern tip of Manhattan, and was once the home of the U.S. Army, followed by the U.S. Coast Guard. The island hasn't been inhabited since 1996, but was established as a national park accessible to the public in 2003. With over 150 acres of trees, gorgeous lawns and old homes, it made for the perfect retreat out of the city. We all rented bikes to explore the entire area, had a picnic and toured the homes and churches. I definitely plan to go back, as it is a free ferry ride from Manhattan (departs right next to the Staten Island Ferry). There are hammocks to hang out on, art festivals, concerts, trapeze lessons and a fabulous view of the Statue of Liberty and the financial district. The best part about it was that it had a very local vibe, and seemed to be somewhat removed from the overwhelming amount of tourists that invade the city this time of year. After the visit to the island, I had dinner with two fabulous girls from the trip at Chat 'N Chew, my favorite "comfort food" diner in Union Square. Next was my friend's ska concert at Webster Hall, and then home to bed!
Today I decided to venture out with my church attendance, and ended up at the Harlem church which was recommended to me by one of my best friends. It was a great morning of worship, and there was a very diverse crowd of people there from France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Brazil...and of course locals! My favorite part was the fact that the term "hooptie" was used. I haven't heard that word since referring to my 1991 blue Lumina that I drove all through high school. Following the service, I ate at Sylvia's right next door. This restaurant is apparently legendary in the Harlem community, and has been since 1962 when it was opened by it's South Carolina founder, and there was not a single table available. I chose to sit at the bar of the diner portion, and enjoyed an amazing meal of fried chicken, eggs, biscuits and sweet tea. I even saw a guy that I knew working there!!!!! I had met him leaving work one day on the train all the way downtown. What a small world! This afternoon I went to an old coworker's baby's first birthday party in Jersey City, NJ. Met a lot of great new people, and had the best red velvet cupcakes of my life. Now I just need a weekend to rest from my weekend!!!!
On Saturday, several people from the small group I attend arranged a trip to Governors Island to celebrate a few birthdays among us. Governors Island is just south east of the southern tip of Manhattan, and was once the home of the U.S. Army, followed by the U.S. Coast Guard. The island hasn't been inhabited since 1996, but was established as a national park accessible to the public in 2003. With over 150 acres of trees, gorgeous lawns and old homes, it made for the perfect retreat out of the city. We all rented bikes to explore the entire area, had a picnic and toured the homes and churches. I definitely plan to go back, as it is a free ferry ride from Manhattan (departs right next to the Staten Island Ferry). There are hammocks to hang out on, art festivals, concerts, trapeze lessons and a fabulous view of the Statue of Liberty and the financial district. The best part about it was that it had a very local vibe, and seemed to be somewhat removed from the overwhelming amount of tourists that invade the city this time of year. After the visit to the island, I had dinner with two fabulous girls from the trip at Chat 'N Chew, my favorite "comfort food" diner in Union Square. Next was my friend's ska concert at Webster Hall, and then home to bed!
Today I decided to venture out with my church attendance, and ended up at the Harlem church which was recommended to me by one of my best friends. It was a great morning of worship, and there was a very diverse crowd of people there from France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Brazil...and of course locals! My favorite part was the fact that the term "hooptie" was used. I haven't heard that word since referring to my 1991 blue Lumina that I drove all through high school. Following the service, I ate at Sylvia's right next door. This restaurant is apparently legendary in the Harlem community, and has been since 1962 when it was opened by it's South Carolina founder, and there was not a single table available. I chose to sit at the bar of the diner portion, and enjoyed an amazing meal of fried chicken, eggs, biscuits and sweet tea. I even saw a guy that I knew working there!!!!! I had met him leaving work one day on the train all the way downtown. What a small world! This afternoon I went to an old coworker's baby's first birthday party in Jersey City, NJ. Met a lot of great new people, and had the best red velvet cupcakes of my life. Now I just need a weekend to rest from my weekend!!!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Confessions of a Cab Driver
I was so blessed to be able to spend Memorial Day weekend with family and friends in Atlanta. It truly was the perfect vacation, as I was able to see many people who I love. We had great weather, even better food, an entertaining golf game, a whip cream and chocolate cake fight and a mini high school reunion. It was really hard to leave yesterday, and I am already anticipating my next trip back.
When I landed at LGA, I was hoping to hop in a quick cab ride home to meet my friend Brenda for a very late dinner. However, the line to hail a cab was an hour long. I really didn't want to mess with the bus/subway combo it takes to get home, so I waited. And waited. And waited. Until finally it was my turn in line, and boy did I get lucky. Not only was the cab brand new, but my driver was quite the comedian and mentor. We weren't even out of the airport when he said something about him being "retarded" for losing money in a blackjack game. I'm not sure what he was thinking to himself, but right after he said it, came the loudest cackle I have ever heard in my life. I burst into laughter, as did he. I wasn't sure what he was laughing about, but I was certain I was laughing at him laughing.
As we made our way into Astoria, Queens on the way home, he was able to gain enough composure to give me a three point lesson on the keys to life. These nuggets of wisdom were not solicited, but rather offered as a complimentary perk to his shuttle service. Point number one: Health. This did not require much explanation on my part. Point number two: Respect for others. Again, I was following him to the tee. Point number three: Happiness. Okay, I needed his clarification on this one. What did he mean by happiness? He went on to say that you should never expect anything from anyone or anything...his words. This, he professed, was the key to being happy. Zero expectations. I had never really thought about it that way. Of course, I have my own thoughts on what truly brings happiness, which I still stand by. But I thought he made a valid point. He told me he was from Pakistan, and that his entire family still lived there. He had retired a few years back, but lost all of his money because of gambling. He was such a pleasant man, who was quite entertaining, and definitely worth the wait.
Today I had really sore shoulders from playing golf with dad yesterday, so I decided to randomly google "cheap massages in midtown manhattan." And boy, oh boy, did I find a gem. Lilly and Raul was the first place to come up in my search, and since they didn't have a website, I didn't even bother. However, after seeing the price list of all the other places, I decided to call and check out their reviews. Not only was their price $42 for one hour, they gave me the exact time I was asking for after work, and also the therapist who I had read so much about...Amy. It was actually only four blocks from my apartment too, which seemed surreal. When I got there, I quickly realized it was a "no frills" kind of place. As in no walls between the rooms...just curtains. Normally this would make someone nervous, but not me. I had survived the Gellert Spa in Budapest, Hungary where my toe nail was cut off, I had to bathe in a pool of about 100 naked women, and then have my rear end slapped by a massage therapist who was insulting me in Hungarian. THIS I could handle.
Lilly and Raul is run by Japenese women who practice the art of Tui-Na massage. My Amy was the tiniest of these women, so I had my doubts that she could really work out these kinks in my back and shoulders. However, once I laid down on the paper towel covered massage table (yep), she got to work. Let me just say that I have never in my life experienced as deep of a deep tissue massage as this one. There were moments when I couldn't breathe because there was so much pressure. But ole Amy...she was determined to rid me of this knotty existence. She would not quit. She persevered when most would've thrown in the towel and moved to my feet. At one point I was drooling. Thank goodness that my face was down and she didn't notice the spit slip through the face prop. I left feeling refreshed and ready to collapse. What a great way to end the day! Now, I just have to find a second job so I can afford to go on a weekly basis.
When I landed at LGA, I was hoping to hop in a quick cab ride home to meet my friend Brenda for a very late dinner. However, the line to hail a cab was an hour long. I really didn't want to mess with the bus/subway combo it takes to get home, so I waited. And waited. And waited. Until finally it was my turn in line, and boy did I get lucky. Not only was the cab brand new, but my driver was quite the comedian and mentor. We weren't even out of the airport when he said something about him being "retarded" for losing money in a blackjack game. I'm not sure what he was thinking to himself, but right after he said it, came the loudest cackle I have ever heard in my life. I burst into laughter, as did he. I wasn't sure what he was laughing about, but I was certain I was laughing at him laughing.
As we made our way into Astoria, Queens on the way home, he was able to gain enough composure to give me a three point lesson on the keys to life. These nuggets of wisdom were not solicited, but rather offered as a complimentary perk to his shuttle service. Point number one: Health. This did not require much explanation on my part. Point number two: Respect for others. Again, I was following him to the tee. Point number three: Happiness. Okay, I needed his clarification on this one. What did he mean by happiness? He went on to say that you should never expect anything from anyone or anything...his words. This, he professed, was the key to being happy. Zero expectations. I had never really thought about it that way. Of course, I have my own thoughts on what truly brings happiness, which I still stand by. But I thought he made a valid point. He told me he was from Pakistan, and that his entire family still lived there. He had retired a few years back, but lost all of his money because of gambling. He was such a pleasant man, who was quite entertaining, and definitely worth the wait.
Today I had really sore shoulders from playing golf with dad yesterday, so I decided to randomly google "cheap massages in midtown manhattan." And boy, oh boy, did I find a gem. Lilly and Raul was the first place to come up in my search, and since they didn't have a website, I didn't even bother. However, after seeing the price list of all the other places, I decided to call and check out their reviews. Not only was their price $42 for one hour, they gave me the exact time I was asking for after work, and also the therapist who I had read so much about...Amy. It was actually only four blocks from my apartment too, which seemed surreal. When I got there, I quickly realized it was a "no frills" kind of place. As in no walls between the rooms...just curtains. Normally this would make someone nervous, but not me. I had survived the Gellert Spa in Budapest, Hungary where my toe nail was cut off, I had to bathe in a pool of about 100 naked women, and then have my rear end slapped by a massage therapist who was insulting me in Hungarian. THIS I could handle.
Lilly and Raul is run by Japenese women who practice the art of Tui-Na massage. My Amy was the tiniest of these women, so I had my doubts that she could really work out these kinks in my back and shoulders. However, once I laid down on the paper towel covered massage table (yep), she got to work. Let me just say that I have never in my life experienced as deep of a deep tissue massage as this one. There were moments when I couldn't breathe because there was so much pressure. But ole Amy...she was determined to rid me of this knotty existence. She would not quit. She persevered when most would've thrown in the towel and moved to my feet. At one point I was drooling. Thank goodness that my face was down and she didn't notice the spit slip through the face prop. I left feeling refreshed and ready to collapse. What a great way to end the day! Now, I just have to find a second job so I can afford to go on a weekly basis.
Fleets of Strength
I have always thought of Christmas as being my favorite time of year...the presents, time with family, fake trees in your living room. I am always in the best of spirits during the holidays, but all of the cheer and excitement that accompanies Santa's season has been trumped by a recently discovered guilty pleasure. Fleet week. Instead of a jolly old man in a big red suit, I get dress blues pressed to perfection. Instead of a beard to decorate a face, I get high and tights all over the place. And instead of a sleigh parked on the roof, I get a gigantic ship docked at pier 88. The only similarity between the two times of year is how I run around in a frenzy, in such a state of jubilation, that I am screaming or passing out all over the place.
Fleet week is that time of year from the Wednesday before Memorial Day until the Wednesday after, where there are members of the United States Marine Corp, Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force docked at Pier 88 and spending the entire week on the island. They have performances, boat tours, and presentations. But the best part is the fact that this city is swarming with men in uniform, and you really do feel like a kid in a candy store. I don't know why I have such a fascination with military men. I attribute it to my grandfather being a Marine, and my dad making sure that we were raised knowing a lot about it. I certainly have a great respect for anyone who is willing to make that commitment. I decided to go exploring with a single girlfriend of mine, and we did well. Met some coast guard gentlemen the first night and Marines the second. They all have strict curfews, and are the greatest of gentlemen, so it was quite an enjoyable evening. We just let them tell their stories, tried on their hats and told them how proud we were of them. What a great experience!
Fleet week is that time of year from the Wednesday before Memorial Day until the Wednesday after, where there are members of the United States Marine Corp, Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force docked at Pier 88 and spending the entire week on the island. They have performances, boat tours, and presentations. But the best part is the fact that this city is swarming with men in uniform, and you really do feel like a kid in a candy store. I don't know why I have such a fascination with military men. I attribute it to my grandfather being a Marine, and my dad making sure that we were raised knowing a lot about it. I certainly have a great respect for anyone who is willing to make that commitment. I decided to go exploring with a single girlfriend of mine, and we did well. Met some coast guard gentlemen the first night and Marines the second. They all have strict curfews, and are the greatest of gentlemen, so it was quite an enjoyable evening. We just let them tell their stories, tried on their hats and told them how proud we were of them. What a great experience!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)