Urban Hiking, Cycling, and Dining in NYC

I got away last weekend with a friend to see another friend. I felt lucky that New York City was the meet-up spot. One day we stayed busy walking the city, starting at Wall Street and ending on the High Line. Ground Zero was our first stop. The empty pit, the drop of the water into emptiness and the beauty of their combination stayed with me that morning. 

Trinity Church. Every church I pass seems to invite me in. The actual building seems so strong and beautiful, but I finding myself wanting to get in to feel the peace that draws others in, too.

I love the movement of this city. I love that in Chinatown neighbors were really shopping for produce and housewares with their rolling baskets. I love the one hundred different smells. I love all of the languages I hear in these narrow traffic paths.

Lunch in Little Italy was delicious, and somehow we didn't even order any pasta!

We took a tour of the Tenement Museum, on the Lower East Side, a restored tenement built nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. We learned about its sixty years of history and counted layers of wallpaper, paint, linoleum, and technology. As I listened to the stories of the families from Eastern Europe I could imagine myself  sitting in their kitchen on a hot summer day. Words can't express my gratitude for their work and sacrifice.

We walked through Washington Square Park. I am kicking myself that I didn't snap photos of the buskers: a jazz quartet that weren't any older than 23 or 24; a ukulele guy who didn't notice us approaching to drop a dollar; and a bass, guitarist, and vocalist belting out "Rocket Man." 

We checked to make sure that Patience and Fortitude, the New York Public Library lions, were still in their places. The reading room wasn't open, but we wandered through the halls with our chins up as we examined the art on the ceilings.

We took the same approach at Grand Central Terminal, wondering why we didn't know more about constellations and wishing I knew how to lead the starlings out of that confined space. We tried out the whispering gallery: it works.

To end that afternoon, we walked the High Line, now on my list of favorite retreats in the City. I do adore the hustle and bustle, but when I want a break from the noise, this newly redesigned and landscaped elevated railway provides quiet refuge.

Saturday morning we returned to our tourist ways with a quick bike ride around Central Park.

We spent most of our day on our bike tour of Brooklyn. I liked every part, but our ride over the Williamsburg Bridge might have been the best way for us to start this adventure.

Our tour guide Johannes told us stories about New York City, present and past. We learned about the J train that passes beneath this bridge carrying a certain famous celebrity. 

We got acquainted with our fellow riders and discovered we were in the minority to be from the United States. We connected with one of the guides. We ate tacos at the Brooklyn flee. We chose chocolate at the shop of a Brooklyn Chocolatier. We walked the streets of Williamsburg while we others toured a brewery. We rolled up and down the hills of Brooklyn Heights. We sped past the art and activities at the new piers a the Brooklyn Bridge Park. 

Towards the end of the tour we crossed back over the Brooklyn Bridge and back into Manhattan. I love this bridge and its story. It was hard to focus with all of its beautiful lines in my peripheral vision. As soon as we hit Manhattan, we jumped right into the traffic of Wall Street. I somehow had thought they would "protect" us from that. Nope, our guides took us right into the action.

For a second night in a row we enjoyed dinner with our hosts Minda and Shawn. Saturday night was our introduction to Ethiopian food. I loved it! But my favorite part was definitely the story telling. Minda and Shawn just recently returned from the ESPYs--Minda was nominated and they were able to go and enjoy all the ESPY festivities in Los Angeles. They are so fun to be with and we felt so blessed by their generosity.

Sunday morning we went to church at Lincoln Center in the same building that holds the temple. I always love seeing Moroni up there as we emerge from the subway station for the 1 line. I love that I know what to expect at church wherever I go in the world. Sunday's lessons were on gratitude and faith, but I was able to hear it taught through the perspectives of normal people I've never met before and will never meet again. The freshness of that model inspires me.

I was so grateful for my travel buddy Staci. Not only did I convince her to venture north with me, but she willingly drove through the madness of NYC. It wouldn't have been the same trip without her listening to me ramble and process and without her willingness to play all the dumb conversational games I occupy travel companions with. 

Also, I was so grateful for Dan at home who was spoiling the kids with popsicles and outings to fun stores. These memories and experiences were the perfect birthday celebration to begin my thirty-sixth year of life.