The City So Nice, I'm Visiting Twice

I don't travel much, but when I do, it comes in twos. Consider May and June of 2001, when -- having never before been any further afield than Florida --I traveled to Europe and then Japan. Now, six years later, here I am in New York City. I'll also be visiting again in early June. Both trips are based around work and on both occasions I've arranged for vacation days in order to explore the city, this time alone and next time with Jeanette.

Two trips are clearly not going to be enough. Nevertheless, I'm doing my best to pack in what I can. It will be a photo finish to see who gives out first: me or my wallet. Thankfully for both, good ol' cousin Anton lives here in Manhattan. He's been generous enough to lend me his apartment as a free base of operations and his expertise on what to see and where to eat. Here is a quick run through of some what I've been up to in the Big Apple.


Inside, Outside, Upside Books

Friday afternoon, I stopped in at the main branch of the New York Public Library. This place is enough to make anyone who likes libraries weak in the knees. I lingered in the main reading room just long enough to recognize it from Ghostbusters and to fantasize about spending long afternoons among the hushed presence of all those books. That day was too beautiful to stay inside, however, so I quickly returned to the sunshine.

Behind the library is Bryant Park, where I was pleasantly surprised to find an outdoor reading area, complete with several racks of books, provided by the library. I grabbed a book of short stories (Sky Over El Nido by C.M. Mayo) and read until they came to close up shop for the day. This was my view:


Angela does Deuce

That evening, I met Anton and his girlfriend Vinaya for a Broadway show called Deuce. It was remarkable to see these two powerhouse talents performing as two retired tennis pros reflecting on their lives and how the world has changed since their heyday. On the other end of the spectrum, and to roundout my Broadway experience, I'll be seeing Monty Python's Spamalot tomorrow night.


Saturday in the Park with Anton & Vinaya

Saturday morning we met for breakfast, stopped by the famous Magnolia bakery (see Sex in the City and the SNL digital short "Lazy Sunday") for some cupcakes, and then headed to Central Park. It was another amazing day weather-wise and we had a wonderful time strolling this most impressive of urban green spaces. Before lunch we popped into the Metropolitan Museum and marvelled at their newly rennovated Roman and Greek Calleries. Lunch was directly across the street at the Viennese eatery Cafe Sabarsky.

That night we hit the town. Anton and I went for drinks at the Stone Rose lounge at the Time Warner Center and then joined Vinaya and her birthday-girl friend at Art Bar for more drinks. We finished up the evening at a friend's party, where I spent most of my time fending off the children's book pitches from a school chum of Anton's.


Day of Rest

Sunday was spent mostly recovering from Saturday night's liquid dinner.


Live from New York, It's a Disappointing Tour!

Today I hit the Rockefeller Center where I took the NBC studio tour. Most of it was rather hokey, but we did visit the studio where Saturday Night Live is shot, which greatly pleased my inner and outer improviser. And speaking of comedy, in a few minutes, I'm heading out to the Comedy Cellar for an evening of stand-up at a place that's seen more than a few not-ready-for-prime-time players grace its stage. It's gotta be funnier than the corny jokes of the NBC tour guides. After the tour, I took the elevator to the "Top of the Rock" for my first high-up perspective of the city. Breathtaking.

Tomorrow I check in to the hotel for Wednesday's sales conference. I head home to Toronto Wedneday night. I'll post details and photos of my further adventures sometime thereafter. But wait! There'll be even more shenanigans to report when Jeanette and I return to the Big Apple in June. You lucky devils.