Thursday in the park with Pinkberry

I don’t come to NY often enough to be an expert, but I do come enough to take it for granted.

Each time I come, I keep thinking I’ll try something new, but work often dominates the time, and next thing I know, I’m eating at the same deli or getting dinner at the same Whole Foods (although, they do have wonderful prepared foods)!

To my boss’s credit, I have been introduced to some *great* Greek restaurants in Astoria, specifically S’Agapo. But that’s another story.

Tonight, after I left work, I realized I had a few hours of daylight left, a decent pair of walking shoes, and lack of desire to go back to my closet. So off I went to explore the upper west side.

As I approached 70th–fully intending to splurge on a Beard Papa cream puff–I saw Pinkberry. This is one of those places that certain friends (Tim) have practically scolded me for not trying. So–feeling adventerous–I walked in.

I ordered the original with chocolate chips. It was pretty good! If I’d known what kind of flavor to expect, I would have gone for a fruit topping instead of chocolate, but now I know for next time. The flavor was quite delightful: it was like the uber-creamy soft-serve ice cream version of lemon Italian ice. At $4.50 for a small cup & one topping, I’m not sure I could make it a habit, but I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to go again.

My Pinkberry and I strolled over to Central park to watch people play soccer, volleyball, frisbee, practice kickboxing, and sit around chatting–all against the backdrop of the setting sun and the Central Park South skyline. It was so peaceful; I could have set up a tent and been perfectly happy.

Eventually the sun went down, and my stomach growled for something a smidge more substantial. I debated where I should go, and what new flavors I should try next. As I walked back to my hotel, I saw the perfect place–the beacon of ethnic cuisine at reasonable per-diem prices. My dinner tonight? Indian food. . .from Whole Foods.

I barely got used to the thin air

Thanks for all your prayers regarding N8’s interview! I’ll keep you posted as events warrant; right now, however, we just have to wait until the FD decides when their next academy will be, and which of the 28 applicants will make it this fall.

In the mean time, one week after leaving for our new life in Denver, I’m back on the east coast. I flew to NYC today for work, and I’ll be here until Friday. I woke up this morning in a spacious master bedroom, and now I’m in. . . a closet. Seriously, this room is *so small.*

The room fits: a king-size bed, a 2-foot dresser, a 1-foot wide desk, and a bathroom (which is tucked away behind the door. All this for just over $300/night! Crazy.

But s’all good; the view makes up for it. Out my window I can see. . . um other buildings, and . . . hmm. . . trash on the roof below. Okay, maybe not.

Enough rambling; I need to go track down some dinner. I hear there are few good restaurants around here.