Sorry, no picts for this post, yet... when I can download from the camera, I'll add some.
That's right, folks! We're livin' large in NYC today! It's been a fun day already, with more to come tonight and tomorrow. We're on our way home for a few weeks to visit family and go to Brian's brother's wedding (yay!!). But Brian has to work for a couple of days here in NY to qualify our visit as "home leave" (which means the firm helps with our tickets). So, Sam and I find ourselves in a posh hotel not far from 5th Avenue and Central Park.
This morning we started the day with a visit to Brian's work, which is a HUGE office complex on Lexington Ave. He says his temporary office is two doors down from the managing partner of the whole firm (who is conveniently out today). Sam loved the elevators and massive hallways, and the echo of her baby voice, as usual.
Then we went for a little walk down Park Avenue (where all the banks are), and Madison Avenue (where lots of clothes shops are). I looked in Talbots, but quickly remembered I don't spend $50 for a necklace or $150 for trousers. Plus, Sam was eager to leave and I think the store clerks were also eager for us to leave. After our "window shopping" we came back to our hotel for a nice nap before lunch. On the counter in the lobby of our hotel they have a pitcher of nice, cold fruit punch that we've been enjoying each time we come in (esp. Sam!).
We met up with Brian for lunch and went to a nice little Bistro place where I got pasta, he got roast beef sandwich, and we shared a cannolli. Sam liked the pasta but not the tomatoes. Sam also liked flirting with the staff at the Bistro -- making them laugh and smile the whole time we were there. Cute.
Back to the hotel, quick, then out for a walk to Central Park. I finally remembered to take our camera -- first time all day. We finally found the perfect place for Samantha to RUN FREE in the city! Central Park IS the place!! Most of the pictures I got are of the back of Samantha's head as she dashed 20 feet ahead of me. She cried when we left, and fought like a mad woman when I put her back in her stroller. We came back to the hotel by way of 5th Avenue, passing Gucci, Prada, Hugo Boss, Abercrombie &Fitch, etc. on our way. Posh enough that I wouldn't dream of going in any of those places. But fun to look and see their display cases.
And now, here we wait for Brian to come back and get us for dinner. We're meeting with his friends from school, a couple who met up with us in London several months ago when they were passing through. It will be good to see them again. Fingers crossed, Sam will be good and happy!
***
So, for those of you in the know, you will remember that I was actually planning to be in Boston rather than New York, right? And did you sit here reading all about our day wondering what happened? Well, here's the not-so-happy part of our story... Yes, I did get reservations on Amtrak for Sam and me to go up to Boston and visit friends, leaving bright early this morning. I figured it would be a fun way to use the time, since Brian is working anyway. And why not, when we're sooo close to lovely, wonderful Boston??!
But, we had a few complications. See, our plane was set to arrive in NY just before 11p.m. last night. We were almost to the airport, dropping altitude and getting ready to surrender our entertainment headphones. All of a sudden the captain got on and told us there was a freak rainstorm in NY. It was bad enough they closed JFK and we were being rerouted to.... BOSTON! So, we turned the plane around, flew back to Boston, and parked on the runway there for a couple of hours. I sat looking out the window at our beloved city, thinking how convenient it would be for me (but not for Brian, sadly) if we just had to stay there instead of going to New York.
It almost looked like that was going to happen, but then they reopened JFK, we refueled, and flew back to NY arriving at 2:30 a.m. By the time we cleared customs, stood in a long line for a cab, and made our way to the hotel, it was after 4 a.m. We didn't get to sleep till nearly 5 a.m., and I just couldn't bear the thought of dragging Sammie awake by 6:30 so we could leave to catch the train just after 7. Anyone blame me? Actually Sam was awake most of our flight over, which made me even more wary of trying to take her and brave the journey. So, we didn't go after all. Disappointing, yes. But as you can see, we're making the most of our time here and trying not to dwell on what we didn't get to do. Oh, and one other good thing, we got a full refund on our train ticket. So, not all was lost, right??
Next stop... Salt Lake City! We fly out from NY tomorrow night and then we're home again home again with family and friends for the next several days. Yay!
3 comments:
Well, my dear Kamber girl---I didn't expect you to have time to be on the computer these days, but it's good to get the up-date on what's been going on with you! I really appreciated your e-mail, too, telling me of your "forced" change of plans.
Isn't it weird that the "fluke rainstorm" happened to come just at the very time you were going to LAND?! What a disappointment after that big long flight! And how was Sammie doing all the time you were sitting on the Boston tarmack?? Was she AWAKE?? What a delay, and what a nightmare for you all!
I'm glad to hear, though, that you're making the MOST of your time---going places and seeing things. I was telling your Aunt Kathy about your disappointment at not going to Boston, and before I told her what you were doing instead, she said, "Well if I know Kamber, she'll be taking after her mother and carting all over New York City--seeing the sites and making the most of a bad situation. She certainly won't be just sitting still." And I guess she DOES "know Kamber", eh!
You're doing GREAT, babe--keeping happy amid disappointment. (Now if it just so happens that they don't let you land in Salt Lake, make sure they re-route you to Idaho Falls, and figure out a way to get OFF the plane!! 'K??) :) Keep up the good work. Love, Mom
Oh my gosh! Why do those things always happen to you???? I can't believe that story. You sound as though you handled everything just fine and that all was good, but you had an 18 MONTH OLD BABY with you!! That sounds horrible to have to fly back to Boston and wait and then not get to your hotel until 5am. Geesh!!! I wouldn't have made the trip to Boston either and I probably wouldn't have even left the hotel today. Good for you for going out and having a fun day in NYC! We can't wait to see you. (Directions are in an email.)
Call me up when you get to Utah. I'd like to see you guys if we can arrange it.
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