Back on the West Coast
Back in Cali. Thank goodness. Whirlwind trip and an incredible one at that…but after this trip, it’s very clear that I am a California girl. We missed the heat wave in California, apparently, and the good weather must have followed us to NY, because it was high 70s/ low 80s the entire time with reasonable humidity. =0)
Landon is working on his own blog of the trip, but he's lagging, so forgive the out of order posts...he's only through 2 days in his version, but I'm ready to give my story...so let’s recap:
Day 1 = arrived around 7pm in NYC. Grabbed a cab to the Hudson Hotel, where, we promptly stuck out like sore thumbs, amidst the swanky, posh, beautiful urbanites who apparently have nothing better to do on weekday work nights than to hobnob at the bars/clubs in the Hudson. Trust me this place is total upscale NY. There’s no sign on the outside of the hotel, and it’s right in the middle of a small NY block on 58th street, with only fluorescent green lighting guiding you up these long escalators to the lobby area, where apparently, they save money by keeping almost entirely dark. The employees are also dressed in all black. Very hip. And strange. Our room was tiny, but we expected this, having been warned by NY-versed friends and family that this is typical Manhattan. Dropped our stuff off and cruised around on foot to Rockefeller Center and Times Square. Ate some pizza, checked out the scene, waded through the mob of people…One thing I forgot since the last time I was in NY = everyone walks everywhere. I mean, when I need to go somewhere I get in my car. Here? No way. In fact, I would not attempt to drive in Manhattan even if I could. I might lose my life. It is CRAZY. Horns, yelling, swearing…forget it. I saw the funniest sign on the corner near our hotel. It said = No honking: $350 fine. It was a real sign. Love it.
Days 2 & 3 = started out the days with my first runs in NYC ever. Headed over to Central Park which was only 2 blocks away and did the 1 main loop there, which is about 6 miles. Thinking it would be flat but there were some decent inclines. Tons of people out there running and cycling. Loved it. Then we hopped on the subway over to Flushing Meadows, where the Open is. I dig the NY subway system. You can go anywhere for $2 each ride, and the subway pretty much does go everywhere around NY. It drops you off right in front of the National Tennis Center, which is also right where Shea Stadium is. Luckily, no Mets games the days we were there. Met our friend Michael there and discovered that he scored some KILLER seats to the main stadium. Here’s how it works for the US Open: you can pay $35 to get onto the grounds, and all of the courts are open seating except the main one, Arthur Ashe Stadium, where you need an actual ticket with an actual seat. That court happens to be the one where the major names/big matches are, so it was great to get those seats. Those tickets that are actual seats at Ashe double as grounds passes, so you pretty much get to go everywhere. For courts other than Ashe, you just line up and wait for an open seat. People are always moving in and out of the other matches, so when there’s a break in the action, they let more people in to take open seats. I am always surprised at what a respectful sport tennis is. Everyone is super quiet when a player is ready to serve, and you can’t get up from your seat until the action has stopped.
So pretty much for the 2 days we spent our time moving between matches, eating the good but expensive food, taking pics, meeting some “famous” tennis people (that I had no knowledge of, but whom Landon was very excited to see and meet), and getting a great tan in the beautiful weather. We capped off both evenings by grabbing some food in the city on the way home and crashing in the hotel room. It was exhausting to be in the sun and walk that much. But, Landon told me that he has always dreamed of going to the US Open so to see him finally fulfill this dream was really special.
Day 4 = ran a 12 miler in Central Park, and met up with a friend for breakfast, who lives in Jersey. Checked out of the hotel and met my cousin Lance to begin our true NY tour with a true local. My cousin has lived in NY for almost 12 years, I believe, and from the way he drives around Manhattan, or actually just the fact that he can successfully drive in Manhattan, you can tell he’s a local. We hit up the Met, more of Central Park, a great grilled cheese place, more Times Square, more pizza, and stood in line at TKTS for last minute seats to a Broadway Show. Ended up seeing The Drowsy Chaperone, which we loved. Hadn’t heard of before, but loved. Seats are ½ off through TKTS. Good for the Yoshida budget. Went to Greenwich Village afterwards, cruised around there, ate at a great dessert place called Veniero’s, then headed to his home in Jersey.
Day 5 = Back to Manhattan for the day, but not before getting a tour of my cousin’s historic home, the Syndeham Home, which was built in the 1700s. He and his partner are antique experts and they have worked hard to restore their home. It has a ton of rooms, a huge backyard, and is a marvel to view. Can’t do it justice with words, you must see pix. Email me if you want to see them. We headed into the city to meet my cousin Jenelle, in town from Florida, on her way to London to study there for a year, and spent the afternoon with her. Cruised over to the Toys R Us in Times Square which, believe it or not, has a Ferris Wheel inside! We waited in line as the only 3 people there without kids, to get our spot on the Scooby Doo car. It was a blast. We were in that store for almost an hour. Then we grabbed more tickets at TKTS and headed over to see the Putnam County Spelling Bee. Loved that show too but for sure, not a show for kids. I guess some of the people in the audience thought it would be because I know for sure I saw kids under age 5 in there. Think of Sesame Street, but for adults. That's the Spelling Bee show.
Day 6 = Ran 9 miles around the beautiful park right outside my cousin's house, packed up our stuff, drove to the edge of Jersey/Penn to do antique shopping. We caught traffic on the way. Ahh...just like home. They dropped us off at the train station and we caught a train into 30th Street in Philly that evening, where we met our friends Simon and Carrie. Had dinner, talked until late, crashed early. They live in an apartment in the suburbs of Philly, and it’s so nice and quiet there. I don’t recall any apartment I’ve ever lived in being either of those things, really.
Day 7 = Ran 7 miles along a trail called Wissahickon (sp?). Loved it. It’s woodsy and quiet. All I hear are birds chirping and the sound of my feet hitting the gravel. Beautiful spot to walk, hike, run, cycle, whatever you want to do. Definitely not something I’d expect to find in Philly. Spent the rest of the day touring Philly. I’ve been to Philly before to visit my pal Michelle who attended UPENN, but it was great to check out places again like the Reading Market, (where you can eat some killer mac and cheese from Delilah, Oprah’s woman), The Liberty Bell, the Museum of Art (think Rocky), and South Street. That night, we all went jogging at the trail again, even Landon, and then grubbed on Philly Cheesesteaks and Dunkin Donuts, which are both everywhere in Philly and open late. Donuts at 2am. Love it. We miss our friends Simon and Carrie so much and we hadn’t seen them since they moved away from Foothill Ranch. They are the best neighbors ever. We can’t wait for them to move back into their place 2 doors down from ours. =0)
Day 8 = Ran another 7 at the trail, then went back to the apartment to pack and rest. Hopped on the train back to NY/Penn Station and then took a cab to JFK. Figures that would be the day the cabs went on strike and the fare went SKY HIGH. Regardless, we made it, and the flight home was fantastic. Quiet, smooth, and plenty of Direct TV to make it feel much shorter than the actual 5 hrs, 10 minute flight that it was. I dig Jet Blue. Sure they don’t have meals, and it’s a small plane, but the leg room is great and they give you all the snacks you want…oh, and of course, again, a bunch of Direct TV channels. I watched so much. Even reruns of the Smurfs and Snorks. Classics.
Needless to say it is good to be back. Back to work, back to marathon training at home, back to regular life. Only, with no dog. =0) My parents are keeping him for a month. We thought we’d be relieved but we admit, we miss him. The house is so quiet and so clean without him there. This is the first time he’s ever been away from us when we’re actually at home, and he’s been with us 2 years now, so it’s been weird for us. But, we get him back soon so life will really be getting back to normal once he gets his rascal self back into his own home.
Email me at miko@cox.net if you want to see photos of the trip. I think that’s enough writing for now.
Later skaters,
e.m.y.
