Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
SmithfamilyOz
I wanted to show Spencer some of the parts of Manhattan where I used to live so we caught the subway down to Astor Place (8<sup>th</sup> St) and walked down St Mark's place. Like most of Manhattan, many parts of the East Village had changed but some had not changed at all. The new hotels on Bowery look amazing but many of the local bars in and around Alphabet City remain the same (Angel’s Share, Niagara, McSorleys, Odessa). I wanted to take Spencer to my favourite local Cafe (Café Mogador) – we got there a little early so we walked around Tompkins Square Park and then past my first apartment in 172 East 7<sup>th</sup>. The breakfast at Café Mogador was excellent and Spencer was very excited to have pancakes (and a little fruit) for the first time on the trip. We then walked toward Soho, passed my 2<sup>nd</sup> apartment (21 East 2<sup>nd</sup> st) and then into Soho proper. It was time to do some shopping and Spencer was very patient as I stocked up on some James Perse clothes. We had a quick walk passed the Franklin Bowles gallery (a Miro anyone?) and then back to hotel to watch the USA v Germany game. At halftime, we checked out, had a Papaya Hot dog and then caught the AMTRAK train from Penn Station to Philadelphia. A very comfortable train ride down to Phillie later we were at Mark and Melissa’s house in Chestnut Hill. Pa Mike and MR were already there as were Mark’s parents. Spencer and Max had a great time playing – Max is 2 and has grown a lot since we saw him in London in 2012. He is a great little kid – full of energy and talking a lot for his age. We sat around and caught up over a bbq dinner. True friends catch up like they saw each yesterday and after the past couple of weeks of non-stop travel it was great to sit around the table and talk to family. It was great to have Pa Mike and MR there too so that Spencer could tell them all his news of the trip and what’s going on at home and at school. After a few glasses of red we watch a Phillies baseball game before crashing to bed. The next day Pa Mike and MR came back over to Mark and Melissa’s and we went for a drive around Chestnut Hill. It is a beautiful part of Philadelphia – large stone homes and nice schools surrounded by a verdant forest. Melissa had recommended a place for lunch (Valley Greene Inn) and it was fantastic - located on a river in a park, we sat outside eating lunch and I showed Pa Mike and MR photos and videos of Eleanor and Campbell. After our lazy lunch we headed back to Mark and Melissa’s to pack. We said our goodbyes and Mark drove us to the airport for our flight to Paris. Next (and last stop) – France!
- comments