I'll get the hang of this eventually, but here's a breakdown of how I spent yesterday (almost two days ago, considering what time it is now), our last full day in Manhattan. We did a lot of shit, so I'm really going to keep it brief, but there will be some actual writing that comes out of yesterday, including something that has been warping my brain lately, the sheer challenge of imaging that everyone has their own complex behaviours, emotions, thoughts, and experiences, and trying to conceptualize a place among them. Anyway, that'll turn into its own word soup later. Onto the notes.
We bought tickets for the Summit at 1 Vanderbilt experience for 9:30 so we woke up with enough time to make our way there (cab) and get breakfast before it was our time. We went to a restaurant in Pershing Square (maybe? It's what I wrote down) across from Grand Central Station. Breakfast was ok. The eggs were hella undercooked. Wandered over to Grand Central, and it was literally just that, Grand. Made our way to the Summit experience. Great views of the entirety of Manhattan. It's a huge fucking island. Like mind bogglingly big. I had some real strong main character vibes there. Mapped out a full page of notes that are nonsense scribbles. Had an $11 beer and walked through a revolving door with it. I only mention it because I've never done that before. It felt weird.
We tried to hit the New York Public Library, but it was closed. Sat outside and fed Pringles to some pigeons. Decided to head to Joe's PIzza in Timess Square since that was on my list as an essential visit for the trip. On our way we wandered through some craft market in Bryant Park, and found that an entire street (not sure which) was closed for a food/vendors market as well. Worked out nicely. Before heading down the street market we went to Joe's for a couple of slices. It was good pizza for sure, no complaints. Won't speak to the over or underrating of it.
Found our way to the Macy's on 34th Street. Witnessed no miracles, only difficulty finding the men's room. Made our way by Subway down to the Washington Square Park area (Greenwich Village) so I could visit a record store called Generation Records. Picked up a few albums and some Simpsons merch. Lots of selection there, and a weird impulse to talk to the person at the counter about shit that didn't matter at all. Not sure why that is, but it's a recurring theme for me at record stores.
Aside from more food, we didn't have anything planned beyond the record store, so decided to head down to catch a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. After failing and succeeding and failing to find our way onto one based on previous information, we bought tickets to an express ferry, which we caught about 40 minutes later. It took us up to the Statue of Liberty for some photos, and towards the Brooklyn Bridge. It docked there so we jumped off to see new things and found our way onto a giant ass boat museum.
I wasn't lying, this day was fucking packed of shit. I'm barely scratching the surface.
After that we went to a bookstore called McNally Jackson in Seaport, then decided we'd try a place called 375 Chicken and Fries (in the Lower East Side -- look at me with neighbourhood names) for a TikTok recommended chicken sandwich that was hella fucking good. Ate it in a park a couple blocks away before heading back to the hotel.
I ducked down to the lobby to do some writing and before long my partner joined me. We then went outside to grab a spot on the front patio to hang out and have a drink or two and encountered Nick and Laura, people we'd never met but had a pleasant couple of hours chatting with and sharing stories. It was funny because a day prior I mentioned to my partner that I really like those kinds of sidecar experiences with people in situations like that. And this was no less enjoyable. Good folks.
Then we went to bed. And that was the day.
I could expand obviously, but I don't think I will. The experiences of it will shape some writing and gave some ideas that I'll pen before it is no longer fresh.
As for today, our last morning in Manhattan we really just went to the airport and came home. Nothing exciting.
And now you're caught up on the trip mostly. Thanks for participating.
<3 flurp
Intermission continues, but NYC has concluded this time around.