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Susan Weinrebe
October 29, 2005 Day 4, Sunday, October 29, 2005
Family Brunch
Off To The Village
Washington Square and Mews
Who Prays Here, Stays Here
Adieu But Not Goodbye
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day One
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Two
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Three
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Four
Lazy bones! Slug abed! I slept most restfully another hedonistic half hour later than usual and woke to a sunny, warm day, perfect for a neighborhood stroll. Unfortunately, this would jettison my original plan to go museum hopping, but that’s why I’ll have to return again soon to New York.
Family in town for the opera matinee met us at the mutually favorite and nearby restaurant, Puttanesca, for a leisurely brunch. We lingered in the airy and light brick-walled great room catching up on each other’s lives and enjoying a selection of mid-morning entrees including French toast, salad, eggs, their signature pasta, and mimosas, before we went on our ways.
For once, Roberta and I weren’t going to walk. Blending Midwest and East Coast techniques for stopping a cab, we quickly snagged a taxi to the Village. Before I left Chicago, I did a web search of knitting stores and particularly liked what I saw on Purl’s site.
The Village streets were narrower than midtown and jammed with folks, out, like we were, to enjoy a sunshiny Sunday. Little frou frou boutiques, mid-century moderne shops and shouk-like stores slowed our progress as we browsed, but eventually we came to the knitter’s haven known as Purl.
Like all good fiber stores, it was crammed with yarns of every texture and color, a sensory riot. One of the workers agreeably helped me select the right yarn for my pattern – legwarmers for my daughter, and I heard someone else patiently giving instructions to a guy who was just learning to knit. I wished I could stay and take some of the interesting classes offered in this little gem of a space.
We wandered through the streets, passing cafés and appealing stores, stopped for Italian sodas at Caffe Reggio, which boasted an ancient and gargantuan espresso machine, and soon found ourselves at Washington Square Park. Pick-up games of chess on the benches, jugglers, bike riders and skaters, strollers, and people who had designed themselves to be noticed, contributed to the distinct street/university/artistic environment.
Dogs frolicked in a sandy enclosed dog park, enjoying the fine day and being with their own kind. We were drawn towards a throng gathered around musicians playing just under the arch and through to the street and a hidden block, the Mews. Like traveling back to the time when Henry James wrote of society and their great homes, these former coach houses showed pride of ownership in their window boxes and painted facades.
Then, like shooting through a time warp, we were out of the quiet refuge and back to the street bustle. Wending through side streets, we peeked into a botanica and shortly discovered a gorgeous neighborhood church, freshly painted and gilded with the loving detail an old and loyal parish gives a beloved house of prayer.
It seemed that no matter where we went, there was a discovery just waiting around the corner and, usually, a pleasant person to talk with. Certainly, we never lacked for food, though I missed my traditional potato knish and tropical smoothie on this trip. My line up of exhibits, museums, walks, and sight-seeing pilgrimages never materialized, but I could testify that every one of the ninety-six hours I’d spent in New York had been jammed with experiences I wouldn’t have changed.
Planning my next trip to the city will be easy. I’ll just take up where I left off with good people to visit, wonderful food to eat, and great places to see.
Family Brunch At Puttanesca
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Uncle Shel And Susan At Brunch
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Village Street Scene
Photo courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
Susan Choosing Yarn At Purl
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Sipping Italian Sodas - Caffe Reggio
Photo courtesy of Waitress
The Mews
Photo courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
Mews Doorway
Photo courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
Beyond Washington Square Arch
Photo courtesy of Susan Weinrebe
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day One
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Two
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Three
On Location in Manhattan: With Susan Weinrebe – Day Four
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