25 | December | 2024 | Traveling Times

After we stood in quite the long line for our coffees and bread of choice (I think Dan had a croissant. I know I had a brioche.) we sat and enjoyed our treats. We get vouchers for each day we are here, but so does everyone else in the hotel. I’m not sure Mille Fuelle was prepared for the crowd that showed up nearly all at once.

After going back up to our room and dressing warmly we went out and the flexible goal was to get to Bryant Park, because I had read its Christmas market was open today, and it appeared all the others weren’t. So off we went, on a little over two mile walk.

And Lisa HIrsch, this one’s for you!:

At the same time, Brandon was on his way down from his place, and shortly after we arrived at the Christmas market he did as well.

As to the Christmas market: it just doesn’t have the magical feel that, for instance, the Nürnberg one did. Plus, as Dan pointed out, it’s so different when you can’t buy gluhwein and walk around with that.

But since Brandon connected with us we left that spot and aimed toward Grand Central Station, just to have a look-see. (Yes, we’ve been there before, but it’s still fun to see it.)

More walking as we were deciding where to get a bite.

We had a bit of food and drinks at PJ Clarks.

Then it was time to get back to the hotel to gather up some things before going to the Bronx. Our walk back included a bit of Central Park.

Brandon suggested getting a car to get to Jameson and Meghan’s and I was quite fine with that. Yes, it costs more, but sometime it’s just the easiest thing to do.

Jameson and Meghan had food set out when we arrived, and we sat for a good amount of time eating and drinking. Oh … and watching (sort of) White Christmas.

Eventually Trivial Pursuit came out. I’m really not great at that game — especially anything in sports or geography. And I didn’t win. Hats off to Lia!

Then it was another car home. The roads are fairly empty and the drive both ways was so much faster than it frequently is. So now we are back in our room, and we plan on a very slow and easy morning because later on we have much to do. It will be the final full day for this trip. Sad, but true.

And now … goodnight!

Sooo … now that I’m awake it’s time to write about last night before I forget!

We took the subway (the 1 and the Q in case you are curious — and even if you aren’t) to get to Timothy and Margaret’s. Really about the easiest bit of train use ever as the timing was pretty good. A wee bit of confusion at one point, but only because there were signs in different places for the Q. But we arrived at their lovely house in Brooklyn safe and as sound as we are capable of being.

What a spread those two put out! We ate so very well. We met two new friends as well: Aron (Aaron?) is from Turkey and studying here and I’m absolutely amazed (and humbled) by his English, as he didn’t speak English when he arrived. We also met a friend of Brandon and Lia’s, Mathilda. (I could be misspelling her name as well.) I think, if I heard correctly, she is from Italy. So the table was full. So was my heart. It had been a while since I’d seen my brother and sister-in-law.