DC_NYC Trip Day 4

Happy Birthday to me! And I was spending it in one of the greatest cities in the world with two of my favorite people: Rob and Ashley.

We left our bags at our hotel (which was so nice to do) and set out. We walked over to Central Park and walked through it a bit to 5th avenue and started walking down it (there was an incident with a pigeon that almost flapped the unflappable Ashley and I couldn't really believe how all the stereotypes of all the different kind of NY people were coming true before my eyes, course we were in the touristy part). I decided I wanted to do a museum and the Top of the Rock but by the time we walked (including a stop at Godiva for a delightful chocolate-covered strawberry) we only had time to do the Top of the Rock, which was expensive, but amazingly beautiful. In fact if you only have one day in NYC like we did, it's a marvelous way of getting in the city.

 
Then we grabbed a subway (after a yummy bagel and salmon and jamba juice lunch) over to the Manhatten Temple. Ever since I knew the temple and church were in the same building, I've wanted to attend. And I wasn't disappointed, especially by the most amazing organist I've ever heard. It was really nice.

Then over to FAO Schwartz where we explored this amazing toy store for a half hour (the kids would love this and this and this and this). Then down the subway to get over to the play by 3. Unforuntately the subway didn't come. Like at all. So we rushed back up and caught a taxi, very New York-like. But I was too nervous to be late to enjoy the ride as Ashley once again calmly said "we'll be fine." And we were.

We walked into this fun theatre and upstairs to the actual theater room and settled in for one of the best plays of my life: My Name is Asher Lev. If you haven't read the book, that needs to be remedied. In fact, I need to read it again. It was wonderfully done. I cried and cried and came out edified.

Seat of cab

It was time to go get our bags (we should have left them longer though) and then over to the little Japanese restaurant to meet Ginger. While we waited for her to get off work, we shopped a bit and then ate one of the most amazing meals ever of all these freshly prepared vegatables and sauces and tofu and then four different desserts (mochi, sara). Mmmm. And the conversation was just as enriching. Ginger is always such a delight to be around and we laughed and laughed.

Then we grabbed a subway over to the station to catch the bus to New Jersey. We landed in Tenefly and ate at a delightful little place called "Cafe Angelique" where I had a three-chocolate mousse with gold leaf (the gold leaf was totally yucky! but the rest was divine!) and chocolate gelato for my final birthday treat. Then we walked over to Ashley's employer's house and talked to them (very nice people) while we watched the oscars for a bit before settling in to watch a movie I've wanted to watch and go to sleep.

It was a lovely, lovely birthday filled with new sights and sounds and tastes!