New York - April 2014

Is it possible to hit NYC and not see the standard tourist attractions? Perhaps unlikely, but one can always try. Wiggling past people in Times Square and fighting  your way up to see the skaters in Rockefeller Plaza has kind of lost its charm. But there is by far so much more to see and photograph. 

 We started our epic hike from Jersey City - which seems like another up and coming place. If you don't mind the stigma of being a "bridge and tunnel" person (which seriously doesn't seem that bad) this is actually a really cute area with a neighborhood feel.

My sister has a cozy little basement apartment near the old historical center of Jersey City. Its a stone's throw to the high-rises that line the banks of the Hudson.

 In any case, we took the subway (go tunnel!) and got off near the end of the west village near 11th street and began walking along the high line. I don't have a pic posted here, but it is a genius stroke of urban development to create an elevated public walkway from an abandoned rail line.

There are some outstanding pieces of art along this path. We got off the high line on 33rd and made our way up to Grand Central Station. Ok, so this is a bit touristy, but it is also beautiful and I have never been here before. Michi, showed me the the station's grocery section as well - quite a selection for being in a train station.

It was raining heavily over the course of the week. As a result, NYC was throwing off the yoke of winter and flowers were in bloom. 

My Cousin Vinny - Reception In New York

Bar hopping 9th Ave

Central Park - Urine smell much better!

I always get mixed feelings about going to New York. I spent a few years of my life growing up here and from what I can remember, NYC was always a place to visit but never to live. I think in retrospect it was the wrong time in my life to live here. I was in 5th grade and we were living in small roach invested apartment above a deli / convenience store. People in Queens seemed angry and always in a rush. Life seemed stressful.

Cat people at the Met

Pretty pictures!

Zoom to see the Cuneiform writing

I came back to visit my sister while she was going to Columbia and stayed with her at her dorm. Manhattan seemed to have more promise. I thought to myself, that perhaps this was probably the best time to be a New Yorker - living in a dorm, no major concerns for money, and time to really enjoy what the city offers.

Since that time, I've been back and forth to the city. Each time, there was a higher level of appreciation. Perhaps I was just letting the bad taste of my youth go. 

I think, this was my best trip to date. We stayed at a cutesy hotel called Ink48 in Hell's Kitchen. The view from the Press Club roof bar was memorable. I could easily spend a week at the Met. Getting a chance to see my sister is aways a plus. Whats more, I got a chance to see nearly my whole family. 

Hair Cut on 50th and 10th - Sorry Claris!

Michi and Oleg looking good!

Meooow!

 My Cousin Vinny and his Fiancee Geena were getting engaged. My mom, aunt and 200+ members of the family were in attendance. Couldn't help but thinking this was the same kid I played with in Kindergarden and traveled to Austria when I was 10. I'm glad Vinney could forgive me for all the times I would get him into trouble as a kid. I think he has met his match with Geena. The girl was exceptional and we got in a few words of conversation. I'm looking forward to double dates with these two in the future.

Vinny and Geena cutting the cake

The fam in rare form

My camera was acting up - I think the poor thing was falling apart - hence the fuzzy photos. 

Cousin Daisy feeding Lilly

Mom still knows how to party

Looking good

 I wish this photo has come out better. Alas, this fuzzy mile stone is all I have. I'll probably have to steal a few photo's from Geena's Facebook account.

Well we busted a tire on the ride back from the reception. We cranked the stereo and danced as we took turns fixing the wheel at 1 in the morning.

The highway was still busy. We were tired, but even this setback didn't diminish my mood. Overall, I think this was one of my best trips to NYC . . . if not in general.

To Vinny and Geena, many happy returns!