Was finally able to sleep until a decent hour today - after being woken early as usual by the clanking of our super with the recycling bottles in the air shaft, I went back to sleep.
Was the kind of blah gray day I hate, so I worked on my computer, and then the buzzer rang and it was the postman with 20 of my boxes. I was so excited to get all of my clothing and shoes after days of wearing my gold flats, alternated with galoshes and sneakers. My belongings are now scattered all over my room (which is tiny) and a few are in the living room - thank god I have tolerant roommates.
Later, I learned how to use the DVR, went to Pilates with my roommate and met up with Adam Rio, Samir's friend from Austin, to chat about New York and go on an impromptu walking tour through Times Square and then down to Union Park. We tried to use the city's only automatic public toilet at Madison Square Park (not affiliated with Madison Square Garden), but as a homeless woman informed us, it closes at 8pm. Instead we visited Starbucks for the bathroom and bought 40-cent 80-calorie double chocolate cookies.Adam enjoyed telling me all about the city - I learned things like whenever Broadway intersects one of the Avenues, there's a square. Union Square, Herald Square, Times Square and all the products of these criss-crossings.
I've been getting so much exercise here, walking all around like we did tonight and going to the cute little independent gym I found, which also has an affiliated yoga studio. Haven't been eating that much either - it's all kind of grabbing things on the run, and somehow all the moderate exercise makes a person less hungry.
But speaking of food, tonight I emerged from the subway at 103rd and Broadway hungry, so I walked north looking for something that was open. I crossed the street to a promising-looking falafel shop, which turned out to be open until 3:30 in the morning (It was about midnight when I arrived). An Algerian guy with kind eyes was the only one manning the shop and while he deep-fried chickpea paste to order for me he gave me some hummus and pita to try and we chatted about New York. He liked it okay, he said, though it was too big for his taste, and I sensed that he was lonely. Do you want to eat here? he asked, and I said no, I'd take it to go. He offered up a clumsy reason to stay, his mind roving off into unseen corners for the words - But the sandwich will be warm if you eat it here and cold if you eat it later... That seemed true, but I was tired, so I left rather than summon up the energy to stay and keep him company with my conversation. The food turned out to be very good (and cheap), so I'll be back.
Monday, May 12, 2008
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