This morning it was the typical Hotel Belleclaire morning: wake, dress, go down and get coffees and the pastry of our choice (and going wild by adding orange juice to the mix). Then back upstairs for showers and sitting around until nearly noon. We just didn’t have the energy to do much at all.

Nearing noon we got ready to take the train up to Brandon and Lia’s. But first lunch at LPQ (do others call it that, or is that just Dan?), and a stop at the wine store to pick up some bubbly.

Our train ride was longer than expected. We sat for a while at a couple of stations and then quite a while longer at another. Thankfully our time was flexible. I don’t know how those who deal with the subway daily deal with delays like this if they have set schedules, but I am assuming they have to allow for incidents and leave earlier than is usually (?) necessary.

Finally we arrived at Brandon and Lia’s place. And the elevator wasn’t working. So up from L to floor 6 we went. (Even so my watch isn’t happy with what little I did today!)

We first dropped by the place where they are living, but then went to their own space and opened the champagne. I just really wanted to toast to new beginnings and all. There is so much to be done still, but if anyone had seen what it was like after the fire they’d notice a huge change for the better. Still, it’s going to take time.

This is the entrance and lobby … undamaged.

This is their place:

Eventually we went to an appliance store. Unfortunately we couldn’t go to the one that would have had more appliances and, even more importantly, more affordable and smaller appliances. But still, it was good to see things and for Lia and Brandon to get clearer ideas about what they want.

Back to their place we did more research on appliances. (Anyone know what a “speed oven” is?) Planning a kitchen in a small space can be fun but also a challenge.

Next up was a getting a car and going to a restaurant Brandon had read about. We arrived and as we started to go in Meghan and Jameson arrived as well. It was an Albanian restaurant, and the food was really great.

As I write this I’m thinking I might need to get new clothes … or start walking faster and for a longer time. I’m sure I’ve gained a lot of weight on this trip.

After dinner Dan and I said our goodbyes to all and headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow we pack, hang for a while, and then go to EWR and head home. I’m sorry the trip has come to a close, but it’s time to go home. I guess. Maybe.