Friday in the city

On our last full day in NYC, we woke up to rain.  At last we had reason to use the convenient gratis umbrella in the closet.


We huddled together for several blocks, trying to avoid puddles, until we got to a diner called the Flame Restaurant.  Jason got a mimosa and I got a smoothie with my belgian waffle and eggs.


After that we set off walking in the direction of Times Square to find a tacky souvenir shop where I could get an I Heart NY t-shirt.  We found one on the same block as some super-special restaurant our tour guide had pointed out where people wait in a ridiculously long line to buy a $30 pastrami sandwich.  There they were, in the rain, lined up all down the block to get in.


Weird.


After we loaded up on NYC kitsch, we wanted to look for something a little classier for my parents at the Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop.


We walked about a mile and a half, still huddled under the umbrella, but caring less and less about avoiding puddles, as our gratis hotel umbrella wasn't quite big enough to generously cover both of us.  By the time we got to the museum we were a little drowned-rattish.  It was still a lovely walk, with the reflective shine, colored leaves, and droplets clinging to wrought-iron railings.  I would've loved to take pictures, actually, if that hadn't put my camera at risk of shorting out and also made Jason wetter than he already was.


After loading up again with classy souvenirs, Jason had other ideas than walking for getting back to the hotel.  Since we didn't really know how to hail one of the zillions of identical NY taxis, he arranged an Uber ride--a first for us.


I was quite happy to peel off my wet socks and wrap my feet in a fluffy towel until dinnertime.


We eventually dressed up and went to an Indian restaurant for dinner, which was amazing and delicious and wonderful.


Since the rain had let up, we walked about to find someplace for dessert, but by this time, we were so weary of crowds, after peering in a couple of packed places, we opted for our hotel rooftop.


There we split a lovely bottle of wine and brownie sundae.  We gazed at the view and enjoyed the fireplace until we were ready to retire to our room and laugh at late show clips.


What a week.