New York New York

Saturday in New York City means flea markets, shopping, interesting characters and of course dinner and lunch out. The flea market wasn't too exciting but shopping at Macy's was pretty good. Not one but two sundresses. It is even too hot to wear shorts. Walking down the streets on a hot day it is always surprising to see dogs in this weather but there are lots of them in the high-rise canyons of Manhattan. Here Norm stops to say hello. They are dachshunds and the owner is always willing to talk about his pets. He said there was a fourth white one at home often mistaken for a Jack Rusell.  

For lunch we snuck into a French bistro called Buvette. Rosé, Croque Monsieur, chèvre with scrambled eggs and sun dried tomatoes. Absolutely delicious. Ate so fast forgot to take a picture. 

Some of the characters you see along the way, can only be in New York. This guy had dancing dolls as he played his guitar and sang in the subway. A pretty good La Bamba kicked off his repertoire as we waited for the D train on the sweltering platform underneath 57th Street. 

Our accommodations, Airbnb turned out quite well -- not the newest, coolest (temperature wise) or cleanest apartment but it provided a place to sleep, and less expensive than staying in Manhattan. It's in the Park Slope neighbourhood of Brooklyn, a short walk from Prospect Park, the borough's equivalent of Central Park.

We are on the first floor and there is an air conditioner for one room. The apartment is what we would call railway car style -- one long hallway with rooms off it. 

The kitchen where every morning and evening a cat, Pop, shows up for food. She scratches the window and expects to be fed, so we did. 

The living room.

The apartment needs a little updating but we were comfortable.

Saturday night Richard picked his favourite restaurant for dinner, Momofuku. You start at the bar for 45 minutes and finally get in for your reservation. It was probably one of the noisiest dinner places filled with young people I have been to. But the atmosphere and food were really good. I felt very New Yorky! 

We have spicy shrimp with watermelon, beet salad, mushroom stuffed buns, sable fish sandwich, kimchi, spicy pork dish and another mushroom dish, I think. All delicious. 

Late night back to Brooklyn, and a good night's sleep even after all the exotic food.