NYC - You Belong To Me, I Belong To You

So I mentioned with my last post that the Ravioli & I headed into The City. We've been planning this trip for awhile, with our friend, Jon. So, some tickets were purchased for a Broadway show, some plans were made....and voila! Into the city we headed. As I said, I used to make pretty regular pilgrimages into the city - years ago. In 1999-2000, I frequented that city more times than I can tell you. The last time I was there (before Saturday) was October of 2002. I was amazed at how much has changed, as well as, how much has stayed the same.

For instance, when you ride the subway, you can tell the true New Yorkers because they are falling asleep on the subway car and awake suddenly, when it is their stop. They just know. And true New Yorkers are always carrying bags. Big bags, small bags, 'Medium Brown Bags' from Bloomingdale's, plastic bags from various previously patroned shops, which now carry their subway reading material and other what-not. And the true New Yorker that amazed me the most was a barely two-year-old little girl. Sitting in her stroller in her eclectic outfit, chatting away with her mommy and, as she's sitting in her stroller, stretches out her legs, props them up on the subway seat & crosses her legs at her ankles....riding on the subway is old news for her.

Manhattan is just amazing. I fall deeply and helplessly in love each time I go back. I consider myself somewhat of a hippie, farm girl. But I'll tell ya what, I would live in NYC in a second if the opportunity presented itself. The endless culture - so vast, so varied - is amazing. The people watching is unparalleled - except for possibly Tokyo (I don't know from first-hand experience). And the fact that you can hop in a subway and be transported to another town - within a town - just amazing. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

Ravioli & Jon viewing the WTC sight

Our first stop after 'landing' in Penn Station was the subway to Downtown. We took in a quick look at the WTC sight. Ravioli & I did this in 2002, but were happy to take Jon to see it. We walked a bit along the platform, trying to see past the layers and layers of chain-link fence. As we were making our way down the platform, there in front of me were the peddlers of all things fake. Purses, watches, perfume, etc......I have no problem ignoring these people when walking around the rest of the city. However, I was particularly annoyed by their immediate presence at the WTC sight. I felt that it was highly disrespectful...but whateva. That's just my $.02.

The city was absolutely gorgeous yesterday. Central Park, in particular. I wish we had had more time to roam there. But time was of the essence as we had a date with a particular Phantom.






Good food was to be had in Koreatown. Not as great as Cow Town on Main St. in Flushing, Queens (man, I love the 7 train). But oh, well. Gotta take 'authentic' Korean food where you can get it. I have to say, though (and Ravioli will as well) that my homemade Bul Go Gi is right up there with that prepared in a Korean restaurant. I've always said that I was a cute little Korean girl in another lifetime.
I was sad to say goodbye to The City. I have such a hard time leaving. Parting is such sweet sorrow. She has me in her clutches. Inevitably. Forever.

Today, I bear the earmarks of my steamy love affair. My aching legs, the black/gray soot when I blow my nose, the calm, happiness that washes over my face and the spent feeling that envelopes my entire body. (I think I need a cigarette...haha).
Kidding.