New York City November 2016

I took a quick jaunt back to my favorite city NYC for Veteran's Day weekend. This was another solo trip. I took my usual 8am flight on American direct into JFK except that we got delayed on the tarmac by an hour. So by the time I got to the airport, and through the subway on the E to the 7 train and then to Grand Central, it was dark when I walked out on to 42nd street to get my first whiff of grilling kabobs on the side of the street. Everytime I walk through Grand Central Terminal, I get a little thrill. Something about that city is so magical and so legendary and so new and exciting all wrapped into one.

With the election over and the results pretty close to the opposite of what I had hoped in every conceivable way, I found myself bordering on despondent. I suppose it was a bit of sage wisdom that I scheduled this trip well in advance expecting I'd need a break after a draining election season. When I scheduled it, though, I was expecting an

entirely different result. The election weighed heavily on the populace of New York. Between protests in Washington Square Park and a general but palpable malaise over the place, it did not have it's same frenzied pace that I have come to expect. It's STILL New York though and nothing can take away that magic. Or, perhaps, I was just feeling the malaise and imprinted it over my perception of the city this trip. Who can tell? As a consequence of that emotional tumult, I spent more time in my hotel room this trip than I ever do in NYC (post 2014) and that was a bit alarming. I still got out and hit the streets but I had noticeably less energy than I usually do. I decided not to beat myself about that but just to chill and I'll get back out to the mixers and such next time. My only real regret is that I did not give myself the full week I originally wanted to have in NYC. If I had done that, I would've had a few days to recuperate and the energy to jump in the latter portion of my trip. Next time, I really hope to get in a full week if possible.

Highlights from this trip, though:
I stayed at the One UN right across from the UN building. So this was my first time ever in that area (aside from visiting World Bar two trips ago for a mixer, but it was raining cats and dogs and I had no sense of where I was that trip.). This time I got to explore Turtle Bay and a large chunk of Midtown East. My last two trips were in Soho and then I stayed in Hell's Kitchen and got to explore

Midtown West. So this was a nice contrast. I have to say that both areas are distinctive and have grown on me. But if I had to pick a location, I think I'd still take Midtown closer to Grand Central. But honestly the UN building is an 8 minute walk to Grand Central so this particular hotel will probably suit me quite well for future trips. I think it's safe to say I'd rather stay either near Grand Central or Midtown East or down in Soho. I would love to get to taste life close to Central Park next trip if the budget allows. I'm really enjoying the change up each time.

I revisited one of my new "go to" spots at K Rico on 9th Avenue. After having a great meal there last time with Clint, I really enjoyed visiting it twice this trip. Excellent ribeye steaks and magical Tres Leches cake. So good I don't think I'll ever stop talking about it!

I also did, despite my slow start, manage to get in a lot of socializing this trip ironically. I spent a very relaxing evening with Pat & Sara and saw a great little play. I don't know recall the name of it was off the top of my head but it was a small production in Astoria and was truly a highlight. I hope to see more such small productions in the future there. I'm very grateful to have good friends in Queens that

can show me that area each time I go.

I also ran into Ravi, who I met two trips ago in NYC, randomly on the street on 1st Ave. So random and such strange odds to run into him randomly like that. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the odds of that. I think it was the universe that caused it because running into him caused me to invite him to lunch. We met up the next day at a cute Mexican joint along with another mutual acquaintance Gary and had a very nice 90 minute or so lunch, chatting and enjoying the food. It was a place down in Union Square. Another area I realized I really don't know well. (there are so many!!) I've only once wandered into the north edge of the East Village so I need to spend more time down there next time too. We talked so long that I found myself with less than 3 hours to return to my hotel, get my bag and make it to the airport. After trying the subway to return, I gave up when the 7 train was closed at Queensboro Plaza and took a Lyft instead of re-boarding another train. A very very costly Lyft. I was shocked that it took 45 minutes to get from one side of Queens to the other to make it to JFK. In my mind it doesn't seem that far away but I guess I've gotten used to taking the subway. With all the traffic and then the lines at security I made it to the gate just after boarding started. I VERY much dislike cutting a flight that close. Note to self for next trip: Don't let time get away from me. And stick with the subway the whole way. It really is faster.