Every city has its Wonders, and New York's latest development, the High Line, is an elevated linear park on an old railroad track site, ranging from the Meatpacking District through Chelsea, close to the Hudson River.
Elliot had suggested I join him for a stroll on the elongated bridge over the city. The fact that the weather was cold and cloudy happened to be in our favour as the tourists were a fraction of what, Elliot mentioned, usually would be the case.
'We don't allow such minor details as the weather to stop us from whatever great plan comes along' was a point of view my friend and I shared. Elliot and I had travelled around Ukraine together on a train some years ago. He explained how 'the gay boys moved out of Chelsea into Hell's Kitchen' and hence the beginning of the rise of the development in this area. We finished the tour in the cold breeze at the trendy Scoop boutique, where I managed to leave with four cashmere jumpers (or sweaters, as the Americans put it); they did have a sale on them! We then looked around Jeffrey's trendy store in the Meatpacking District. Still, my attempt to find lingerie in that area of town could have been better, so we headed to the recommended La Petite Coquette boutique in University Place.
The very efficient saleswoman came to my rescue when I told her frankly:
"I've a date tonight, and I'm desperately looking for something special."
Don Juan's re-appearance, this time on the New York scene, was an episode of High Chaparel meets Sex and the City, a case of make-belief. Then again, isn't every scenario of our life simply a fabrication of our mind before we act upon it? We met up at the bar of his trendy hotel for a drink and a nibble. Needless to say, I needed to catch up (not easy being a lady!). Our exchange of flirts, accompanied by the bubbles of champagne, turned the evening into a fascinating ending.
The following day, all the excitement of the past few days left me in a deep nap at midday to wake up and realise I was late for my meeting with Josh, exploring the Metropolitan Museum! Instead, we walked around Central Park before I cabbed down to the hip Standard Hotel, yet again, back in the Meatpacking District. This time, it was to see Lori, who was also visiting New York. We had soup at the hotel's outdoor restaurant. We left to walk around the area and pay a visit to her enchanting musical friend Rally, only to head back to the Beer Garden at Standard, where we met up with Pari, who was an accurate picture of a hard-working New Yorker, slender, in a dark suit and white shirt.
After a can of Red Bull, I managed to get my strength back together to join my companions for dinner at the Grill of the same hotel. We managed to spend our entire day at the Standard!
As Pari parted and we wandered, thinking of heading our separate ways, the loud music from Hogs and Heifers' Saloon drew our attention.
I asked: "What's that?"
Lori explained: "It's one of the oldest bars around."
I smiled: "Shall we?"
In this dingy, dark, all-American saloon, we noticed heaps of colourful bras hanging along the top side of the bar on the left. A jolly, male-dominant room, where the two bikini-topped ladies in shorts served mainly beer. They then raised the sound of a country tune playing and jumped on the bar to stomp their feet hard, dancing. It was amusing as more ladies joined them on the rigid, wooden strip. Lori was busy chatting to some Swiss travellers when, on their second round, I jumped on the bar to join the only barmaid dancing. She asked if I would take my bra off for their collection!
Upon entrance earlier and seeing the hanging bras, I told Lori:
"Darling, whatever happens, make sure I don't take my new bra off. I only just got it from Victoria's Secret!"
On Wednesday, the evening before leaving for Southampton, I joined Arnie and Elliot for dinner at the highly recommended Babbo's. The restaurant was fully booked, with the option of going early and hoping to find stools. As my friends arrived on time, they found the three best seats at the corner of the bar near the entrance. The waiter was super sufficient, and the food, especially the choice of three kinds of pasta we tried, was beyond words. Next to Arnie sat a gentleman in a suite; Kevin began the conversation by telling us how he manages his travels by flying through New York, especially to have dinner at this eatery. As our gourmet experience ended, Kevin recommended a club called Avenue on Tenth Avenue. Arnie and Elliot were too tired to join, so I happily agreed to accompany our new friend Kevin to the disco.
As we arrived by taxi, the doormen told us we were more than one hour too early for the club's opening, so we diverged to the first bar along the same Avenue, at the Morimoto restaurant I had visited when it first opened. Kevin was delightful to talk to, and he dropped me home in a gentlemanly taxi.
Then came our trip to the Hamptons with Elliot. Next episode.
For now, London is calling.
After quitting cigarettes and the high calories accumulated in the US, I went straight from Heathrow airport, landing myself into a Weight Watcher's Program on the Monday I arrived back home! WW seemed all about 'points'. As one lady said, "It's WW as opposed to AA".
I accompanied Ernest to a book signing on Tuesday evening at Gucci's Bond Street store. Derek Blasberg's latest book, 'Very Classy', is on how to be 'An Exceptional Modern Woman'. My friend invited me to one of the most delicious sushi I have ever tasted. Not quite in keeping with my Weight Watcher's points, but the food was irresistible.
Thursday, my wonderful friend Al was in town, and he had asked me to join him, Zaine and Kam, who were all in Mykonos. Later, we met in Hvar last summer for dinner at Montgomery's in Notting Hill. Their loving, friendly energy boosts my joy every time we meet.
Now, for Friday, it was dinner at Bar Boulud. Surprisingly, I had been called at the beginning of the week by an old friend, Jodi, who lived in London many years ago and then moved back to the US. We had lost touch some thirteen years prior. She had managed to find my mobile number and had called to ask if I could join her and her mum for dinner upon their visit here. It was such a pleasure seeing them again and sharing our history of more than a decade past.
As for Saturday... I left home at 13:00 hours to collect Ernest and Thorsten for a surprise brunch visit to Troy at his gastro pub. After those yummy cheeseburgers, I played a few rounds of backgammon with Torsten and Troy and smashed my way up to the top by winning every game. Sorry, boys, I just had to rub that in! haha
On Saturday evening, Pedro collected me before midnight to dance to Luciano's music at the O2. The club was previously known as Matter, which I had never managed to get to because it's soooo far away. They held a memorable night of Luciano DJaying till the early morning hours. At the VIP lounge, I had one of the best times, with plenty of familiar faces and warm hugs from more Mykonos party crowd to quite a few of my Fabric buddies. Plus, I managed to disappear into the smoking open area, where drinks were served, and other DJs played, to make more new friends. What a joyous time! From 1pm Saturday to 8am Sunday.
 |
| No need for a tunnel; when you see the light |
Life is a journey of love and friendship from Manhattan to Greenwich, London. As Ernest beautifully put it: "We all love to love. What else is there in the end?!?"
No comments:
Post a Comment