After the show closed, boxes were sealed and the suitcases packed, my friends and I decided to play a bit. What would you do with a brief morning in New York?
Why, a quick visit to Central Park, of course!
We began by a tour via PediCab...
... trundling through the park and stopping to photograph the carved details, flowers and fountains.
Strawberry fields, the carousel, the ice rink, ball fields and beautiful ponds.
John Lennon's memorial caught my eye.
It was raining but I didn't mind in the least.
After a ramble in the Park we zipped across to Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, window shopping and popping in to peer at the pretties in Tiffany's and Saks and Godiva.
Looking at some of the high fashion, I wondered who wears these things. Odd green mittens with a sleeveless dress? And the pattern on the outfit on the right... my goodness.
Some of the shop windows made me almost drool.
You can hardly see it here but this background is made of rare book illustrations that are pure genius.
(See me in the reflection at left, snapping the photo?)
Sephora. My, oh my. So roomy and golden inside, so ornamented on the outside.
It looks like a gigantic music box from time gone by.
Just look at the cherubs, the gilt decorations on classic black, the striped awning and fancy carved details. Are you smitten? Don't you wonder who carved and gilded such beauty?
The shop windows are captivating even if you're not a shopper.
On we strolled to Rockefeller Center where Crabtree & Evelyn, Lego and Anthro beckon.
I fell prey to some chocolate raspberry tea and a few ounces of oranje rooibos at the tea shop, my only purchases. I do love a nice cuppa!
And it's light enough to tuck into a tiny corner when you're worried your bags might be overweight.
I sniffed the fragrance of chocolate in this over-the-top confectionery.
For the woman on a budget who is watching her calories, sniffs were enough. I knew where we were headed next!
On to Thomas Keller's new Bouchon Bakery in Rockefeller Plaza. I love Bouchon.
Time for sandwiches and pastries.
Jane, Julia, Annie and I munched, seated sister-fashion on a bench nearby.
Who noticed the rain? We were too busy eating to care.
Oh, hallelujah!
Chocolate hazelnut tart!
Then off to the airport, where a jet swept us into the sky, winging us homeward.
New York is the perfect place to work and play.
What a lovely adventure!
And now home. Thankful.
