The Big Apple

After Grandma's less than enthused reaction to NYC, I recalculate, deciding just not to tell her anything about the trip at all. This poor little white hair has embarked on this adventure, completely unaware of what's in store for her along the way. And there will definitely be NYC, but with Adam (whom she keeps threatening to take home with her), it should be a breeze.

We arrive in short order from Philly, and I hear the breath catch in her throat as we drive along the skyline. Later she will tell us that, for her, it was the best part of the day. When my Grandfather (whom I lovingly nicknamed "Grumpy") and she visited the area in the past, he wouldn't drive near the city. Now, she's in it's belly.

The place I've booked for us is in a fabulous neighborhood on the Upper West Side -- West 99th and Broadway. When we arrive, we're surprised to fine a theater company practicing inside. This apartment doubles as our host's home and a rehearsal space. The show they are working on is Burned & Banned, and we all are giggling and excited about watching some of the performance in a unique behind-the-scenes view from our own living room! Our hostess, Amy, is warm and friendly and we feel right at home ... backstage.

We rest for all of 20 minutes (I must get to the end of this chapter in Fifty Shades of Grey, to which I am now addicted), before heading off to the Museum of Modern Art.

On Friday, MoMa has a free night sponsored by Target, which is welcome, since it's a small fortune to get in. I am spoiled by all of the free art in Washington, D.C., though I never have time to see it. The Van Gogh makes me a little weak in the knees, but otherwise, I just don't get it. I'll post some pics later and express my woes about modern art. I actually hope someone who appreciates it is listening and can explain to me how globs of paint on canvas compare to Sauter or Monet.

We're pretty pooped by the time we head to dinner at a place Adam has picked out that couldn't be any more fitting: The Mermaid Inn. It is divine. Grandma oos and aahs over her squash soup, while Adam and I dig into the salmon special. The food is delicious. There's a little flub with our order, which sets back our receiving one item (truffled mac 'n cheese -- yeah, like I can resist that!), but it's more than made up for by our waiter, who apologizes profusely, saying he won't charge us for it. It is totally worth the wait. There's even a tiny little dessert they bring us out to end on a sweet note.

Don't worry Mom, we got you a souvenir.