Sunday, sweet Sunday in NYC

Decided to only do two things today--lunch with Seonaid, who I know from EC--in Hell's Kitchen at Empanada Mama (YUMMMMMMMMM!) and The Strand Bookstore.  Relaxed in the morning, met Seonaid at 2:30 for delicious empanadas and guacamole with plaintain chips (and terrible iced tea) and we talked and talked.

Seonaid took voice with me in preparation for her move to NYC.   She is working and auditioning and commuting from Queens.  Sweet girl!

Walked around that area a bit and then took the subway to the East Village and THE STRAND!!!!!!!!!  The best bookstore in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I warned Seonaid that The Strand is a destination for me and that I was going to spend several hours there so she shouldn't feel bad if she wanted to leave.  She hung in there for quite a while but evenually needed to leave.  I bought some novels (surprise!!!!), Sarah Silverman's autobiography (which actually is a surprise since she isn't my favorite, but somehow her sense of humor reads better than it sounds to me.  The obscenity is less shocking I guess), and The Artist's Way.  After years of putting it off, I am going to try it.   Anyway, I was in HEAVEN and I am going to go back one more time before I leave. I am very near a post office in the Bronx, so I'll just ship the books home media mail.  Afterwards, went to "The Bean" next door for a mocha, which actually was not very good, but there was a very funny young guy at the cash register who made me laugh.  You find all kinds here, that's for sure.

Right when I got to the bus stop, the skies broke open and the rain poured down on us.  I got to the bus stop shelter just in time and I also had my umbrella so I stayed pretty dry, but I can't say the same for countless others.  Actually, after so many really hot, humid days, the rain felt so good.  I had flip flops on, which I was glad about.  I saw a man right after he had slipped off the bus (I think) and his forehead was bloody and he was dazed.  At least 6 "tough" New Yorkers were helping him, calling his family, helping him walk and lay down, and staying with him until someone showed up for him.  Truly nice.

Threatening skies

Got home, talked to roommate Rolf, and fell asleep early.  I'm not feeling entirely like myself- I think too many days in the heat and not drinking enough water.  Taking it easy on Monday for sure.

I love NYC!  And I love books!