Chris Visits NYC

During my third weekend in NYC, Chris flew down to visit. He arrived, after a few too many flight delays, soaking wet in the midst of a horrible thunderstorm. Seeing him standing in the hallway of my Murray Hill apartment building, holding his luggage, with a fresh hair-cut, made my heart jump out of my chest. I was SO happy to be able to spend the weekend with him.

Even though he was fighting quite a bad stomach flu all weekend, we still managed to explore the better part of Midtown Manhattan. We enjoyed a breakfast al fresco on Saturday morning, as Chris took in the city from a much dryer, sunnier vantage point. We spent the afternoon walking hand in hand through some of the world's most famous tourist locations - Times Square (where we met a guy who sold us tickets to a comedy show), Rockefeller Center (where we lounged for hours on comfy outdoor couches drinking basil lemonade and strawberry daiquiris), Central Park (where we picnicked on a hand-made picnic from the Plaza Hotel), and Fifth Avenue (where we launched a complaint against the rude salespeople inside Uniqlo).

In the evening we went to The Stand, an amazing comedy club in the basement of a Gramercy Park establishment. We dined on tater tot nachos (I know, right?!) as we laughed til our sides hurt, and Chris drank an enormous Delirium Tremens beer (the size of a wine bottle). We saw comedians from The Daily Show, Conan, and SNL - very cool. Our night progressed to thai food at Soi 30 Thai, then outdoor drinks at the cutest little wine bar in Gramercy, overlooking a street with traditional NY brownstones. On our walk home, I found $1 bill laying on the ground. Elated, I started doing a mini happy dance...only to stumble upon a $10 bill as well. $11 gonna make me holla, honey boo boo!

During our second day together, we explored Central Park in its entirety. We  walked for miles, weaving in and out of the massive crowds gathered to watch the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Since Chris was still very sick, we took frequent breaks to rest (which also made for a great reason to slow down and take in the city). For lunch we went to a French bistro in the Upper East Side, where Chris ate the most tender, "most delicious" steak he's ever had (and that's saying something - the man can cook!) while I chowed down on a gluten-free burger from heaven. All washed down with some white wine, while Chris played with a sweet little poodle belonging to a heavily plastic-surgeried elderly couple beside us. Oh Upper East Side...

I'm so glad Chris came to visit and experience NY for the first time!