We slept in Saturday, went running Central Park. I was only just saying Friday how much I miss trees and fresh air. We come up on a glorious meadow in the middle of the Park, flopped down on the grass somewhere between the sun and the cerulean sky and the ancient oaks trees. I'd forgotten how good grass smells. I was running and didn't have my phone, but I'll include some pictures one of these days.
Sunday we visited a gorgeous old church, Central Presbyterian, but the cathedral is also where a synagogue meets. I really want to visit a Shabbat service there. Once again, no pictures, but I'll make sure we get some. It was too gorgeous not to snap a quick shot.
Monday, Memorial Day, we went to the beach! I always miss Memorial Day with my family, 4-wheeling with the Savignacs, swimming, and of course grilling. The beach has been mine and Zack's tradition now, and as such we chose to visit "the Rockaways". it took 3 trains and an hour and a half to get there (but since we have unlimited subway passes, it may as well have been FREE). The 5 train and the L train weren't so bad to get out of Manhattan, but when we switched over to the A train in Brooklyn, which would finally get us there, everything got confusing! Apparently not all of the A trains go all the way to the island the beach is on. Thankfully someone noticed our beach gear and told us to get off and catch another train. On the beach-bound A train, all of a sudden everyone in a swimsuit left the train at a random stop. We didn't think to follow the crowd, just stayed on until we realized the train didn't look like it was going the right way. We asked for directions, turns out we were about 20 blocks past the beach, so we got off at the next stop, and lo and behold, THE BEACH WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! Apparently, the beach with stores and bars and restaurants and lifeguards was 20 blocks away, but the beach with surfers was just off the stop. Surfing is huge here! Never would have seen that coming. We ended up walking the boardwalk along the ocean to the developed area of the beach because we needed to buy an umbrella, and just staying there. The water was so cold even Zack wouldn't get in it much, but the sun was hot and the sand and waves were relaxing. Hence, we relaxed, and promptly turned into lobsters. Whooops. Doesn't matter how many times you apply that SPF when you're a paleface like us. It was a great day though. Between the beach and walking back to our tiny little apartment on the most populous city in the world, we were reminded of so many reasons our nation is great. So thankful for all of the men and women who have sacrificed everything to keep America free and beautiful.
Anyways, here's a couple cell phone pics of our day - the boardwalk on the beach and a painted sign on a building a block over from our apartment. Zack said I needed to stop taking pictures like a tourist. I'll be a serious New Yorker soon, this is just part of the "honeymoon phase" of our new life.
I also discovered today that I've been taking three left turns to get work when I get off the subway, when the building was one right turn away. Literally on the same block. Not kidding, even a little bit. Here's to a shorter commute, and remembering to check my phone for walking directions!
It's awesome that you live in NYC now. Was sorry I didn't get a chance to visit anybody when I was there last week, the two guys I came with were in a hurry and wanted to see everything the few hours we had there.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your sun problems... about a month ago I went on a cruise for senior trip, and I got completely nuked.
I'm hoping to get back down to the city sometime later this summer by myself and for a longer period of time, so if I do, I'll def. have to let you know.