Pippi Longstocking and Lingonberries

That about sums it up!

BMW tearing up the countryside!

Tall, handsome Swedes everywhere.

Sweden-we're hEre!

A drive to Madison, a ten hour flight, a rental car, a road trip to Linkoping, adventuring to find Rinna, the town in which Nancy's grandmother was born and baptized, and navigating a Swedish mega-grocery/home store later, we're settled in a cottage out in the southern Swedish countryside. It is cool weather, farmers have just put up the hay, and we are next to a lovely lake. Very nice. We're making bread and soup (ok, Nancy is) and then will have icecram and fresh strawberries. More tomorrow, but we're fine.

UW-Eau Claire and Sweden

Hi all-

I haven't written for a while and realized that not everyone knows I'm home safe in Eau Claire.  Thank you to those who checked in on me after the shootings at the Empire State Building- I am far from there, but like many I am horrified at some people's cruelty.

My last week in NYC was wonderful--I will post more in detail later.  But I had three more interesting salon experiences, walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, and went to Coney Island!  Also the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Battery Park, and the Museum of Natural History.  It was a great ending to a great time in a great city.

I got home on Monday evening- Nancy picked me up and we dawdled along, stopping at different stores and fast food restaurants :).  Late night.  I've been at school all week, pushing to get syllabi completed and sent to the copy center, sending greetings to new students, getting my office sort of cleaned up, and attending meetings and finishing reports.  Because remember, I'm heading to Sweden on Monday!  Nancy and I are going to Stockholm, and will also spend two days in rural Sweden as she researches her family tree.  It is going to be terrific.  If anyone knows any one in Stockholm, let me know, as I don't know anyone!

I have one last report I really must write before I go home today, and I have a massage appointment at 6:30 p.m. (YAY) so I've got to sign off.  Hope you all are well.
Mitra

Tuesday, August 14

Almost caught up!

So tired this morning I actually had a hard time sitting up when I woke up.  Long days of walking, lots of food and not enough liquids, overstimulation by noise and crowds, and a full, full mind are all adding up.

Caught up on some work email and submitted summer grades.  Almost decided to do nothing but then knew that wasn't possible.  So few days left, so many things I want to do.

I wrote a list so I wouldn't get overwhelmed like I was yesterday, and I headed down to the Flatiron district one more time and walked to an Iranian restaurant I have been wanting to go to.  On the way there, I stopped at some sample sales (temporary pop-up stores in open storefronts that are selling left over designer merchandise.  Fun to look, but didn't buy anything).  Got to Ravaugh and had what might have been the best meal of my life.  While I was eating it brought back so many memories I almost cried again.

Bread with two types of sauce, maust au khayar, lentil soup, saffron rice, grilled vegetables, and chicken kabob.  Everything was stunningly delicious, but when I bit into the first bite of chicken I could hardly believe how good it was.  I ate slowly, with Farsi conversations and Iranian music in the background.  Had hot tea (scalding, really) afterwards, complete with sugar cubes to hold between my teeth for the tea to pass through.  Truly heavenly.  Under $20 because it was the lunch menu.  This is my favorite restaurant in NYC-Sapporo, you have been replaced!

What a fabulous culinary experience.  In a tiny restaurant off of 5th Ave.

Walked slowly down to 17th street to look at some thrift stores whose proceeds go towards supporting people with AIDS- I enjoyed looking around but only bough a book (HA!)- "An Available Man" which I have checked out twice from the library in EC and never finished.  Now I can finish it without rushing!  Stopped in TJ Maxx-so much different than in smaller cities-and purchased some accessories for my Mac products and two bags.  A new Baggalini!  My current one is ripping, but the trusty Baggalini has accompanied me to China, South Africa, Spain, and Portugal and never let me down!  The new one has a pocket for the iPad- perfect!  Also a new orange purse which I don't need, but I liked. So there.

Window shopped in a few other places and then went to Sephora- I have been planning to switch away from liquid foundation to something simpler like a powder.  I haven't been wearing makeup for the last month and a half and my face is very happy so I want to simplify things.  I purchased some mineral makeup which I think I am really going to enjoy.  Headed home.

Got home early, and decided that I didn't really want to blog, so I went to the Crosstown Diner for cheesecake and coffee. The cheesecake has been voted the best in the Bronx, and it was delicious.

They also have famous shakes, so I'll get that tomorrow!

Pictures from the walk home:

Where I did my laundry

E. Treemont, the main drag in the Bronx, and off of which I live

Home again, home again, blog, blog, blog.  AND, caught up!

Tomorrow am meeting Lock at the Metropolitan Museum of art for lunch and a look at some paintings, then if time to the Natural History Museum, and then volunteering at the Fringe Festival!  If we can work it out, dinner with Caroline and her friends at Iguana.  I hope it works out!

Night night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs, cockroaches, rats, or mice bite.

Monday August 13- in the running for best day

This was a fabulous day.   Almost overslept b/c of the late night (and one of Caroline's specialty mixed drinks :)  ) but got myself down to the Flatiron district again in time for my:

Free haircut at the Ted Gibson salon!!!!

Before

Me in the Ted Gibson dressing gown

How did I get a free haircut?  Well, it was Craigslist!  I saw that one of the associates at Ted Gibson needed to demonstrate a layered cut and I volunteered.  It takes a little longer this way, but I got a $100 haircut for free.  Well, "New York free" which means $20 for the tip and I had to buy two products.  She told me about the products before I got there so it wasn't a surprise, and I got some useful things, but "free" around here makes me laugh :)

I now know what a "precision" haircut is.  Dang, I've never had anyone cross check my hair so many different ways and spend such a long time cutting each individual strand.  But it looks good!  In the pics it is hard to tell b/c it is still long and we only did subtle layers, but it feels much more healthy and I got a great blow out as well.  I wish I had a picture of the back of my hair--it truly looked like a movie star it was that beautiful.  Genyii took a photo, so maybe I'll ask her for it!  Anyway, it was a lovely experience and I would definitely go back.

After

Here is what Genyii posted on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/GenyiiScott/status/235063595896012800/photo/1/large

Skywriting above Chelsea! 

The famous Chelsea Hotel, home to Patti Smith, Dylan Thomas, Bob Dylan, Virgil Thompson, Robert Mapplethorpe, Sid Vicious, Janis Joplin, Madonna, and on and on and on

How can the Chelsea Hotel be closed?  But it is.  Some permanent residents still live there, but they fear they will be kicked out.  What's going on?  Jack Kerouac wrote "On the Road" here- this place MUST stand!

 The plan for today is to wander Chelsea.  Land of art galleries, expensive living, uber hip everything!  Found an Italian restaurant I wanted to go to, but the kitchen is closed on Mondays.  They referred me to "The Chop Shop" which is actually a Thai place, and the food was fabulous!  The chicken coconut curry was yummy, and the veggie dumplings had the crispest crust.  YUM!  Are you noticing a theme here in my eating habits?  I love the food in NYC!

Strolled the neighborhoods, looking at the wonderful apartment buildings and brownstones- I really love this area and can see why it is such a hot spot.  Many of the galleries are closed for new installations, but I did lots of window gazing and saw much unique artwork.  Found two bookstores--I can find them anywhere!--and bought "The Imperfectionists" at 192 Books, even though the person at the counter was excessively snotty.  The other bookstore would be heaven for a visual artist, as the Juilliard bookstore is to me, so I just looked around but was in awe of this specialty bookstore.

In search of a public restroom, I stumbled upon the Chelsea Pier.  The weather was perfect, the skies clear, the water peaceful, the view fantastic, it was relatively quiet, and there were few people there.  Heaven!

It was so beautiful.  I decided to stay as long as I wanted.  So I sat and read, snacked, and even took a nap. Yep, I felt comfortable enough to lie down on the bench and nap for 30 minutes.  And I felt so much better!  I absolutely loved watching the ships and getting away from the noise that is NYC.

Strolled to the Empire State Building to use one of the free tickets from Sara.  On the way, I encountered the High Line Park.  I had read about it, but did not expect to see it.  It is amazing!  The city has turned an unused, abandoned raised train trestle into a park!  There are beautiful plantings, sculptures, patches of grass, benches and lots of places to sit, and even food stands.  It is incredible!  And you can see into people's apartments!  I learned a lot.  The New Yorkers love the High Line, and it is truly special.  There are plans to add more to the park, but I think it is over 20 blocks currently.

New York Post Office, Penn Station (yes, it truly is ugly!  I see why New Yorkers are pissed), and Madison Square Garden were also on my way.

Empire State Building- long lines, annoying people, lots of stages of waiting.  Completely worth it.

When I finally couldn't bear the crowds any more, I left.  I couldn't stand the tourists pushing me-one Chinese man was particularly egregious.  I counted to ten, swore in my head, and moved on.

I really wanted to eat Korean, as this is Koreatown (so small now that it is easy to miss it).  I found one that wasn't too expensive, but wasn't really that good either.  I probably should have just paid for it and actually enjoyed it.  Happily, this is the first sub-par meal I've had here.

Looks great though, huh?  And the soup was really good :)  Not so the bugalbi.

One interesting thing happened to me today- at one point I was tired, hot, and hungry, and memories started to flood over me and I almost started to cry.  The man waiting next to me at the stoplight must have noticed that my eyes were flooded with tears and he smiled at me and started talking to me about the weather and how beautiful it was.  He escorted me down the block, and when we parted ways I was smiling.  What a chance encounter with a sensitive person who could tell I needed some kind words.  Thanks, man.

Sunday August 12

Slept in (was totally cashed out after a busy and HOT Saturday).  Had brunch with Caroline, Kreg, and their friend Gary at Crosstown Diner.  This is the 3rd time I've been there, and it has been great every time!  Ordered blueberry pancakes and coffee and they were delicious!  Gary works for Actors' Equity and knows everything about everything in NYC and I had a good time questioning him about anything and everything.  Not sure he enjoyed the questioning though :)  Learned about Caroline's gig in Boston (crowd of over 7,000!) that went really well, and Kreg's band's gig on Saturday night that also went really well.

Decided on a whim to go into the city to a specialty travel book store--Idlewild Books--to get a book on Sweden.  I got there right before they closed, so I didn't have long, but I LOVED their concept--they have guidebooks, maps, and travel essays, and literary fiction from each country together on the shelf!  Awesome!  I bought a guide to Stockholm and a novel by a Swedish author, which is escaping me at the moment.  Idlewild Books also teaches language classes- I would frequent this place if I lived here!

I love how it is sandwiched between a deli and a hardware store. Chelsea rocks!

Yesterday I was tempted by The Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, but the line is insanely long.  Today, I'm on no schedule, so I stand in line for a strawberry shake.  I am in line for 30 minutes, but it is worth it.  The shake is delish!!!!

The line...

Me, waiting

The reward!

Oh yeah, I walked around the area and went into stores selling all kinds of things- paper products, Japanese notebooks and household items, and Mario Batalli's Eataly!  I'm no foodie, but it was actually extremely cool.  Every grocery item you could ever imagine in different sections of the store, and interspersed throughout are eating "stations" where you can have wine, cheese, or full meals.  It was rather overwhelming--I studied the salt and pepper grinders for quite a long time, and then left without them!  It was all too much!  If I still want them at the end of the week I'll go back and get them, along with specialty salt (you know how much I love's me some salt!)

Home again, called Mom, and went over to Caroline's-we were going to play cards, but ended up watching "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."  We had all seen it before, but it is a great movie, and it takes place in Sweden so I watched with new interest!

To bed very, very late.

Saturday August 11

One of my favorite days in NYC.

To the Flatiron district in the morning:

Flatiron Building at Madison Square Park

Empire State Building

Tiles in the subway station.

After exploring the area and the park, took the subway to Union Square, where I attended the lovely Greenmarket.  In the mornings, you will often see chefs from the excellent restaurants in the area there to buy fresh ingredients for their dishes!  I saw one chef, but didn't know where he works-he was wheeling a stainless steel cart around and when I saw him he was purchasing large quantities of fresh raspberries!  I bought lots of different kinds of fruits (all in the plum/apricot family), some Finnish bread (delicious!), and two bags of cookies- one chocolate chip and one ginger.   After perusing all the stalls, sat in the park and snacked.

Went to Central Park where I found the Damrosch band shell for the first time (it is so huge, how could I have missed it before?) and the big plaza where people were gathering to eat, perform, play chess, and otherwise enjoy themselves.  Finally found the Summerstage, where I attended a free Concert in the Park!

 You sit on astroturf right in front of the stage!  It was a HOT day, so I found a bit of shade right in front of the sound booth.  The two guys standing next to me where talking about beating people with baseball bats in order to get their money back. I pretended not to hear anything they said...

 The first band was Abigail Washington.  She plays the banjo and sings updated Appalachian folk music mixed with world music.  Very enjoyable!

Then, the second band was who I actually came for: Buckwheat Zydeco!

Louisiana zydeco music.  I loved it, and got up and danced! Buckwheat was getting kind of frustrated with the crowd because we weren't always responding to their music- I think it was because A. he spoke in Cajun French a lot and people couldn't understand, and B. people are unfamiliar with this style of music and audience expectations (participation, clapping, dancing, etc.).  But I loved it!  The Carolina Chocolate drops were 3rd, but I needed to leave so that I could go to:

The GUGGENHEIM!

What a wonderful museum!  For the first time, I experienced delays and typos in the bus schedule, and arrived later than I had hoped, and the line was around two sides of the building.  I had to wait 45 minutes to get in (pay what you wish), but the museum was heavenly.

 The gallery is a large spiral with annexes on some floors for the temporary exhibits.  This was an absolutely stunning collection of 20th century art, with a wonderful audio tour that explained each of the schools throughout the century.  No photography (hee hee!) so I can't show you the collection but you can look at it all online, and it is a true highlight of New York.

 I actually hugged the man at the door when I left, I thought the museum was so good.  He laughed, but seemed to enjoy it!

 I sat on the wall outside and enjoyed the cooler weather, read my book, and enjoyed people watching. 

Caught the sunset over Central Park

Missed the bus (it picks up on 56th, not 55th as it says on the schedule- I was SO MAD), so I decided o eat at this Vietnamese restaurant.  Fabulous noodle soup and dumplings.  Everything happens for a reason!

Made the bus the second time, but had to take my soup home.  Ate it in bed!  Fantastic day!!!