Albany Cousins

Living in New York on Wednesdays, I have the good fortune of having a seemingly unending choice of things to do. And I'm doubly lucky to have family and friends come join to do them.

Last Wednesday my cousin Jessica, and her little son Danny, came in on the train for just such a visit. Though I had some idea of what we might do for the day (I had already checked the weather forecast, saw that it would be warm and fair, and decided we should try to spend it outdoors), somewhat uncharacteristically I didn't have a firm schedule set. (Yes, I AM a control freak). :)

We had a splendid day! It turned out to be one of those times when all one's wishes are met, almost before you know what those wishes might be. Though we chose our meeting time and place, knew when their train was to depart in late afternoon, and decided to make our final destination the Central Park zoo, the details were left to themselves.

After we left Penn Station we just started walking, and talking. Jess pushed the stroller and pretty soon the intrepid Danny had nodded off to sleep. We meandered over to Bryant Park- I figured that might be a nice place to pause on our journey and maybe to have some lunch. I was thinking, thinking where we might find a deli with enough choices to satisfy all tastes, and sure enough, on the corner just southwest of the park was a wonderful little deli, with a selection to suit any palate.

So we sat under the allee of trees along one of Bryant Park's walkways, at a little green table with folding chairs. Danny woke up and cheerfully shared a yogurt with Jess. I dug into my veggie panini and gazed around at the early lunch crowd relaxing on the lawns and under the trees. It always amazes me, now that I do get out of the office on a weekday, how much freedom most workers seem to get. I mean, a whole hour for lunch! And time to go outside on a nice day and sit with friends and enjoy it. Small pleasures not to be had in a busy optometric office. I marvel, and sigh contentedly, on my Wednesdays in the city.

After lunch we sat for a bit, handing Danny things to throw in the garbage can for us. Like myself, Danny enjoys simple pleasures too.

At 59th Street and 7th Ave, we entered Central Park, and walked and talked some more. I needed to use a bathroom, and sure enough: portapotties were just ahead. And they were clean and well-stocked too. Of course they were, on this, the perfectly unfolding day.

Jess needed a pick-me-up. An iced coffee, since it was getting so hot. Aha, just ahead on the horizon was a small cafe with a take-out window I had never seen before and didn't know existed. Yup, they were happy to oblige Jess with a wonderful, fresh cup of iced coffee. We continued through the southern part of the park, past the carousel, under a stone archway and along the path to the zoo. We came upon The Dairy, once a refreshment stand near the playground, used by turn-of-the-century mothers and nannies who sought some wholesome refreshment for their charges. Jess couldn't turn down the chance to purchase some souvenirs for the folks back home. We left loaded down with goodies.

Soon we came to the Central Park Zoo. I had never been here before! This is exactly what is so great about visitors- they get you to do things you would not have an excuse to do as a local. After watching the sea lions under a blazing sun, we sought the cool shelter of the penguin house. And Danny watched some turtles. And dared to touch the talking pig!

The afternoon was waning fast. As we left the zoo, we passed several artists set up along the curving pathway under the trees that led out of the park. Danny was too hot and tired to pose for a portrait. But Jess had a photo of all three kids in her wallet, and left it with the man to draw over the next hour.

We went around the corner for gelato, and pretty soon it was time for Jess and Danny to go. Though somewhat of a mad dash back to the train station, we had just enough time to grab some New York style pizza for the ride home, and got them onto the train just in the nick of time.

I went back later for the portrait, and had it shipped.

What a lovely day with the cousins in NYC!