Nuttin' like New York

In July I went to visit my very dear Joanna who lives in New York City. Joanna and I met at summer camp in 7th grade and have been soul sisters ever since. We try to get together at least once a year. Last year she joined me on a couple of epic and breathtaking backcountry adventures in Alaska, so this year it was my turn to visit the Big Apple. As I'd already made the trek to NYC once before to visit Joanna, we'd already toured the "main attractions." So this time it was all about just being in the city. We ate all sorts of exotic food, got our hair cut, went to see Stomp, ran along the Hudson River and through Central Park, and yes even shopped. We also stayed up until 5 a.m. one "night" talking, talking, talking ... and then decided that since it was starting to get light out, it would be a perfect time to go for a 2 1/2 hour run ... deliriously laughing the whole time at our sheer ridiculousness!

New York, New York

My first night in NYC Joanna and I went to a free dance performance in Central Park. It was absolutely amazing until ...

the heavens let loose on us. Although, in many ways, watching New Yorkers get drenched is even more entertaining than watching an incredibly talented dance company. It was chaos ... people screaming, rain pounding, lightening striking, wind howling and more people screaming. 

Joanna and I, on the other hand, delighted in the downpour.

Let me translate: community classes on how to get rid of rats. Sounds like hoot! (Note: this was posted on the door of Joanna's apartment).

Truly a waste of water, but also a quintessential NY scene

A typical summer gathering on the block in Harlem where Joanna lives

Gelato in the Chelsea Market ... Yum!

Joanna and mango lasses

We ate at this totally authentic and a little bit eccentric Indian restaurant known for its ceiling covered in chili pepper and Christmas lights

Joanna, how do you feel about being stuck for an hour on a broken down subway?

Holy freakin' cow ... it was humid, and hot ... this place has marketing figured out

Vietnamese sandwiches and bubble tea ... Delicious!!!

The Brooklyn Bridge

Looking good girl ... on this day we took the subway to Brooklyn to see what will soon be Joanna's new apartment and then walked the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan

Cool view

A mountain chica in the city

The statue of liberty in the distance

Night time in NY

Oh geez ... we must be sisters in spirit ... we have the same shirt ... which we both proceeded to whip out in the overly A/Ced Ethiopian restaurant

Good friends

There's nothing greater or better than good friends... except maybe getting to visit one! I just got back from a fabulous trip to NYC and Connecticut to visit my friend Joanna... the same chica that came to visit me in July at the end of my travels in Argentina and who I met at summer camp in 7th grade... some people really do just stick in your life... and for good reasons!

Joanna and I spent several days gallivanting around the big apple.... following the path of my great grandmother through Ellis Island, starring face to face with Monet masterpieces, eating exquisite Ethiopian, Indian and Asian Fusion cuisine, dancing to live music until early morning, attending an off-Broadway play, running in Central Park, orienting ourselves to the city from the top of the Empire State Building, loosing ourselves in the subway system, visiting with friends and being fully immersed in people who hail from all cultures and walks of life... oh how excited I was to order fresh squeezed orange juice off the street in Spanish!!!!

We then drove to Middletown, CT where Joanna lives. Exhausted from all our gallivanting, we settled into a relaxed pace. We spent a sunny afternoon walking/ running along the shore and we passed hours in a coffee shop listening to music. I found the New England architecture endlessly charming and very much enjoyed running and driving through nearby neighborhoods. Also, Joanna's friends are wonderful and I loved getting to know them.

All in all... not a shabby vacation!!!!

The Big Apple... a photo essay