In the Big Apple: It's Only Fitting

Kelly and I had an awesome dinnder at Cilantro last night, a charming little restaurant at 83rd and Columbus in New York's Upper West Side. It was tiny and crowded and noisy...
... and delicious. Dinner was more food than we could eat and was $75US, including wine and tip. We could have had one less appy in the mix and still be satisfied. Just look at the order of guacamole below. And, yes, that's a dried banana chip... very tasty.

My doodle at Brother Jimmy's BBQ, a little bar on Amsterdam. It was killer-killer hot and I was heading for the shaded patio, but stuck my head inside and the AC was so icy cold I was drawn in like a magnet. It was Happy Hour and beer was $2 a pint. I was so hot I had two. Proof is in the bill, let's call it $5.50 with tip. Menu looked filling and cheap, but not sure that was the big attraction, as the bar was pretty packed with locals.

For those paying attention, or crafty minded, they might guess from the above why I titled this post the way I did. Otherwise, you can entertain yourself with these pretty toes, found on Broadway yesterday.... and the lady was dressed to match.

These three little girls with matching suckers, in their matching duds, were just begging me to take their picture, I'm sure.

Lovin' all the flowers...

The craziness outside a market on Broadway yesterday...

Puleeeezzzeee adopt me?

... how about me?

Found these kitties at the mobile cat adoption unit that was parked on Broadway near 75th. Inside, the serious adopters could get a little more intimate with the kitties. The ASPCA was also fundraising on the spot, so it seems like a good strategy.

OK, here's another example of a lunch under $10 in the Big Apple. I was hungry and ready for a break, so I stopped into Manhattan Diner. Nothing fancy, but good value, good food and good service. The grilled cheese was under $5, and with the fries and Diet Coke I just hit $10.

I managed to snag a table in that little window jutting out into the street at the front (left of the pic), and had a great view of the passing city scene.

This is a little different for me, writing this level of detail about so many of my meals. But it's not that much bother, to take note of the name and address, along with my pics. I don't see this information so much as pointing people to specific restaurants -- New York is just so big and there are so many great places to eat! -- but, perhaps, tips on finding ways to afford a stay in the big apple without breaking the bank. And, perhaps have some fun doing it.

Oh, and to fill in that "little" detail, I went shopping yesterday at Bra Smyths, a truly professional shop that fitted me like I've never been fitted before. I'm a new woman. Things are looking up. Heh.

Sunday in Berlin: Flohmarkt am Boxhagener Platz

Today I was up early (for me, especially for a Sunday!) as I accompanied my friend Kelly to the airport (a little sad to see her go, but many happy memories of hanging out together for 10 days in Berlin). so I decided to hit a fleamarket. I'd planned ahead for this adventure, so after seeing her off, I headed to the Flohmarkt am Boxhagener Platz. Once I got off the S-Bahn, I was unsure where to go, so a kiosk seller pointed me in the right direction. As I got closer, I needed more directions, and ended up walking with a young German man and woman who were headed the same way. He'd tried to explain, then said I could walk with them. He has been in Berlin for a year, having come from a small village in southern Germany. His next travel plans? Canada! I thought that was an interesting coincidence! His friend, the girl, was just visiting for the weekend and were meeting another friend who hadn't put in an appearance yet... ah, Sunday mornings....
I spent a total 13.50E and here's what I got for my money.... This item was my top find, it was 2 sets of Bavarian playing cards. Totally cool (click the pic to see an enlarged view). What you see here is the ace of each suit plus one other card. They are for a special German card game, hence the special decoration. I totally scored with this cool purchase for 2E. One of my top treasures on my trip!

I needed a scarf, having lost the pashmina I'd picked up in Venice (for a whole 5E), so was on the hunt, saw lots, but nothing grabbed me as special. Until I saw the teensiest little booth with knitted gloves, arm warmers, leg warmers, hats and scarves. I asked the very neat older German woman if she'd knitted them herself, and after a translation consultation with the adjacent vendor it was confirmed, yes she did. This is the one I picked out. Much heavier than I'd planned, but lovingly made, sweet imperfections and made of the warmest wool. I happily paid her 5E asking price. When I went to wrap it around my neck, she smiled and shook her head, and proceeded to wrap it properly around my neck. Interestingly, it was twice as warm the way she wrapped it. It does get cold in Germany so she knew her stuff. Another score that I will treasure.

I also needed a new small backpack. Flying on the discount airlines in Europe, you need to keep your checked luggage weight down, so I was using a little daypack I'd brought with me as my carry-on, but it was a a bit too small. So I'd decided to shop for one. And who needs new? I was eyeing a few bags throughout the market, but saw nothing, until I came on this one. What is the price I asked? 4E. As I was inspecting it, one of the 2 young lads offered me the one off his back for 7E, much better quality he said, and proceeded to empty it. Spent some time checking them both out, but this was a bit larger and I liked the Levi Strauss kitchiness of it. They seemed a touch disappointed so I gave them their full amount. Turns out the two of them - probably 10 years old - bring a few wares to the market most weekends. We chatted for a bit and I told them they had very good English, which was true. Such nice young gentleman, they asked how I liked Berlin and seemed very happy when I told them it was a very cool city.

I have been dying to do a jigsaw puzzle for awhile, so I picked up this one for 1.50E. After I'm done with it, it will be donated to the apartment where I am staying. Wouldn't have been my first choice for a puzzle, but in retrospect it is kind of cute, and I'm sure will give me much amusement in my final weeks here....

Bought this cute little tin for 1E as a gift for my sister (just killed the surprise factor, didn't I?), lol....

Sooo, those were my treasures. Here are a few other interesting pics I took while I was there. This wasn't for sale, but I thought it was nifty: a little girl carrying her wooden bicycle:

Isn't he cute? This dog was keeping himself warm lying on a blanket-covered dolly, and cuddling with his teddy bear (you might have to click to see the enlarged version to spot it). When I said hello, he stood up and wagged his tail, so I had a nice little visit, he got some pets, then he went back to his bear buddy. Had a fun conversation with the friend of the owner's who was watching him. Really, everyone is so friendly here!

Another dog, but I didn't get to meet him. There were lots of accordians on sale, as well as violins, electrical gear (much of it seemingly ancient), books, clothing, dishes, fishing gear, pictures, furniture, you name it...

This was really cool. I asked the vendor about it, and he said it was from the 20's. He called it a doll, but it looks like a mannequin to me. I did not ask the price, and he laughed when I said I was a tourist; so obvious that I couldn't take it with me! But he was kind enough to let me take a decent picture of it.

Oh, speaking of mannequins, it is so cold here, that even the mannequins wear hats!!

When I was done my full circuit of the market, which surrounded a park the size of full city block, I headed for coffee at one of the half-dozen cute little spots across the street.

Too bad I wasn't hungry, they were serving an awesome breakfast buffet here. But my latte hit the spot and didn't break the bank for 2.50E. Yum.

Oops, a couple more pics.... (it is hard to get blog pics in the order I want, and I am too lazy to go back and fix it up!). Thought this was interesting, a bin of old coins and bills that aren't in circulation anymore. I tried to ask what the currency of the bills was, but they couldn't understand what I was asking. I was tempted to get a bit anyways, but knowing what you buy makes it more interesting, and I wasn't up to trying to figure it out online. Maybe I'll see more at another market next Sunday....

There was a girl selling some clever jewellry made out of old computer and typewriter keyboard keys. Especially fun were the ones that said "Esc" or "Del" ;-)

And, finally, there was tons of vinyl LPs amongst all the CDs and tapes. I can't remember when I last saw a 45!

So, that was my day... There are numerous flohmarkets (fleamarkets) in Berlin. Most operate both Saturday and Sunday. I have previously visited the Museum Island market - where I saw gas masks and other varied army gear - but it has more new than old and is geared towards tourists. I was attracted to Flohmarkt am Boxhagener Platz because it is off the beaten track, is geared to a student's wallet and has more Eastern Bloc kitch ("ostalgie") and small vendors, including people who cleared out their closets the night before. Both markets I have visited so far had food stands where you could get an awesome sausage in a bun for cheap, and make a visit to the local cafe afterwards. It's a cool way to spend a few hours here.

I bought shoes!

No, I have not lost my senses.... these are not my shoes!
These were worn by a fashionista in a sidewalk cafe and I couldn't resist taking a pic. Aren't they the most ridiculous things ever? A high heeled sneaker is an oxymoron, isn't it? But for a fashionista, maybe that's the point. Anyways, they were funny and she looked very happy. That black thing in the background, of course, is the dog leash for her little fluggy dog. It completes the look I think! (btw, not unusual for people to have their dogs on the patios while they eat here, a few instances of dog fights and crazy barking while dining... as I say, it's very relaxed here....

Now... drum roll please... these are my shoes!!! They are the most adorable sneakers I think I have ever seen. If you've heard that women don't wear sneakers in Europe, that's not true... the only thing is they wear runners with very interesting designs (the Nike type are for sport only here!)...

OK, I bought 2 pairs of shoes, these are the other ones..... holy sweetness!!!!

These are the dangers of shopping while slightly drunk (emphasis on slightly, just a few beers on a patio on a very hot afternoon....). Really, I'd intended to buy shoes, just not at such a upscale shop, and maybe not 2 pairs... I, of course, have iron-clad justification for such indulgences! (I can justify anything...)... The day before I had received a 125E credit for the hotel screwup earlier in my trip, so the 175E - 125E = only 50E for both pairs! Then subtract the 17E VAT tax refund I'll claim, and they really only cost me 33E for the pair. hee!

I'd actually seen lots of very good shoe sales on nice stuff closer to home here, but if I was going to buy something here, I wanted them to be totally different from anything I'd seen in North America. These definitely fit the bill! And they were on sale ;-)

They were from a shop called Camper that is apparently big all over Europe. And they come with a 2 year guarantee. Hmmmm.... upon looking at their website, there are a few places in Canada that carry them, but, regardless, these are not going to be styles I will see every day back home.

Pictures of my feet will begin to be a lot more interesting!

Barcelona shoe sales are a July happening!

So.... surfing on my travel destinations and I find this post: Shoe for Every Occasion: Barcelona Shops. Now I'm not really going on a shopping vacation, but, wait, then I read this: A pair of sandals from Casas will start at around €50 and go steeply up from there. For deals wait until July when the sales happen. Ah, seems my trip is perfect timing. It would be fun to pick up a fun pair of sandals or Europe-fashion-savvy-unsneakers....

The coolest coffee table in the world

I'm in NYC baby!

This coffee table is in the 'club' lounge in my hotel - if you just touch the table - with even a feather touch or shuffling the newspaper, the water ripples. Or appears to. It is incredibly realistic - it knows where you touched, and how gently or hard. It is so cool!! I commented to the server and he said it only cost $15K. Yup, that's 15 grand. A Microsoft special. Guess I'll just be enjoying it here.

the club lounge is great, just down the hall from my room on the 44th floor. The free appies were enough to feed me for dinner ;-) and they have breaky too. Nice.

I was a little annoyed when someone knocked on my door earlier when I had my 'do not disturb' sign up. But he apologized and I forgave when he brought in an exquisite complimentary cheese and fruit tray, and bottle of red wine - and best wishes for my 50th - courtesy of the woman who gave me my room upgrade. Sweet.

Today was pretty lazy, and my flight was delayed yesterday and I didn't get in until 2am. I splurged and took a cab (which turned out to be a limo), rather than the subway, given the hour. Still fighting my cold, but I'm winning. And the red wine helps.

I am sporting a new watch from the Fossil store. It was a planned purchase (the one thing I wanted to buy while I was here), but it's cooler than I could have imagined. The strap is made up of ovals of steel and deep brown wood. Can't find a pic of it on their website, maybe it's that new!! lol

Looked at groovy lime green cowboy boots, just a little under $600. gasp!!! lol. Let's just say my feet are as yet unadorned with anything new.

Relaxing, working on that wine, doodling, and thinking what I may do tomorrow....