New York Christmas
Christmas 2005 was spent on Times Square in NYC with Andres and Saloumeh. Surprisingly I have never been to the Big Apple. All my travels, trips, conferences, work... never took me to the City that Never Sleeps. It was a perfect day for a trip. Lets recap my Christmas trip.

Friday (12/23) I went out to Chicago. I did some last minute shopping with Novalí. We got gifts for her mom and abuela, she wrote in their cards and even licked the envelopes. Saturday I had my flight to Philly, flight from Midway, to Detroit Metro, then to Philly. I really like sitting in airports, people watching, working on my laptop, eating junk food, and reading my car magazine. Very relaxing and stress free. Just sitting and waiting.

Christmas Eve was at Andres' new Condo. He has a great place, the kitchen is amazing, if I had a kitchen like that I might actually cook! Granite counter top, new cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and beautiful tile work. His place is great and makes me very jealous... my next place, I want to own. Andres had two friends from work over and Saloumeh made some great dishes for dinner. We had wine, lamb, dill rice, chicken, chorizo tapas, and lots of dessert. Good conversation, more wine, and a lively discussion on who, how, and when to tip... everyone has their own take on the crazy world of gratuity. A little after midnight we all called it a night.

Wood floors, high ceilings, huge windows a balcony. Great open floor plan.

His kitchen is all new... stretched cabinets, noveau lighting, steel appliances... very cool!

Christmas morning we got ready while the Christmas Story played on TV. Can't be Christmas without that movie playing 24/7 on TBS. We booked a room in NYC on Time Square, packed an overnight bag, and hit the road. We NYC at 1 PM and the Big Apple trek began. We walked 8th Ave to our hotel which was in Times Square and only blocks from Central Park. The rain never let up, but at least it was not cold (got to see a positive in everything). We got a day pass for the subway and saw all the sights. I got to see all the sights I always wanted to see and do; Statue of Liberty, took the Staten Island Fairy, walked Central Park, Madison Square, Times Square, Rockafeller Christmas Tree, Empire State Building, Former Trade Center Site, Broadway, we walked and saw everything! We got soaked but it did not matter. We ate all day! Chicken KaBobs in the street, snacks, a lunch dinner with HUGE wings, coffee all over the city, and end the night with tapas and sangria at midnight. The yucca hit the spot, and the sangria put us to sleep.

We arrived in Times Square at our Hotel.

The open skyline, and huge underground subway.

Heavy rain welcomed us to Central Park.

New York City Hall.

Former World Trade Center Site.

The lights, the traffic... the City That Never Sleeps!

Radio City Music Hall.

Andres and Saloumeh in front of the Rockafeller tree.

On Monday we got our free breakfast, walked Broadway to see Lettermen's studio (but disappointed to not find the Hello Deli) and then hit up the fancy shops on 5th Ave. Wow... Armani, Fendi, Gucci, Tiffany's... we saw it all. Then a quick stop at a street vendor for some "I Heart NY" gifts, I found the Belvedere Gift box I have been searching for in Michigan, and a stop at the famed Grays Papaya. Finally we hopped the train back home. The NY adventure ended with the perfect hot dog and a relaxing train ride.

Late Show... but no Hello Deli!

Shopping on 5th Avenue.

FAO Swartz keyboard.

The grand finale.... NYC Hot Dogs!

The city was an adventure. It was smaller then I thought, but had more things packed into it. The styles and fashion, the litter, a great metro (despite the smells), array of restaurants, many cultures, any language, rude pedestrians, ruder cabbies, and did I mention the litter? I would never want to live there, but I loved being there... so how do I describe it? The city had everything you want to see, and everything you don't. It was the most amazing compilation of mediocre sites in the world. Does that make sense? I loved every minute of it... I mean even watching TV in the hotel was more exciting... it was a strange nexus.

Back in Willmington, some left overs, my pj shorts and Albion tee... and we relaxed the night away. The most action packed 48 hours ever.