Strolling Around the Big Apple

Birthday Trip to NYC

Day 3

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Travel Home

I ate some of the goodies we still had left over while getting ready for the day.  Jenn and I walked back to Pret for more Wizarding until it was time for me to go meet my friend.  I told Jenn that she would like Susanne, so she decided to join us.  Susanne just happened to be in NYC for the weekend, and I had seen her post on Facebook, so we decided to get together.  

I didn't know JT was an attorney.

Jenn's leg was feeling a little bit better, so we opted to walk to the cafe.  I wanted to go to the Philippine Embassy while we were close by, but we got turned around somehow.  While being turned around, we saw the library, and I saw someone take a picture of this plaque, which was in the sidewalk across the street from the library, so I took a picture, too, because I really liked it.

Books At Our Feet

As we walked by Bryant Park, I saw a familiar building.  Before telling Jenn what I saw, I used Google Lens to make sure that I was right this time.  

For real now: the Empire State Building!

We laughed at our ignorance, and we made sure that Pauline could see that we finally know what the building looks like.  For now.

I texted Susanne to tell her that we were almost at the cafe, and she told us that she was seated upstairs.  But when we got there, I didn't see any stairs.  Uh oh.  Susanne was in a different Bluestone Lane location!  She told us that she would meet us where we were,  so Jenn ordered our brunch: Salmon Toast and an Aussie Iced Latte.  I figured that going to an Australian establishment was perfect because we were in solidarity with those suffering from the horrific fires.

G'Day, Bananaman!

Susanne finally arrived and I introduced her to Bananaman.  I love that she said, "He is a bit obscene, isn't he?" Then she proceeded to take pictures of him and with him.

"Obscene" does not have to be bad, you know.
Susanne gets it.

The three of us had a great conversation, then we let her go because she needed to get ready to watch a show.

Thanks for a lovely coffee talk, ladies!

We still had plenty of time before our late checkout, so we found the Philippine Embassy on our way back.  

I love that sun on the flag.

Mabuhay!

The embassy was closed for the day, so we went shopping in a souvenir place next door, and I found a keychain for KP.  

This street sign reminds me of "Splash".

I felt like I was on some kind of movie tour.

Then I saw the sign for "Hotel Chocolat" and could smell the delicious aroma of chocolate when someone opened the door, so of course, I walked in.  I ended up buying something that wasn't even chocolate at all, although I thought it was, but it ended up being a nice mistake (it was a Sugar and Sour Orange Body Scrub instead of the chocolate scent that I smelled on the sample).  The cashier told me it was her favorite, and it is very nice.

Godzilla & Kong enjoying coffee
Yes, they are made of chocolate!

We walked back to the hotel, finished packing, and took a taxi to Newark.  We checked our bags and got in line for TSA.  We were there for about 15-20 minutes, but when I got to the front, the agent told me that what I was holding was not a boarding pass, but my receipt for my bag.  I couldn't get my app to work quick enough, so they told me to go back to the ticket agent to resolve the issue.  It wasn't far away, but as I started to approach the ticket line, the app started to work again and I went back to TSA.  I didn't even need to wait another 10 minutes because the line had significantly shortened, but I did have to wait a while to get my carryon item checked.  Meanwhile, I saw this:

Aw, it's my Superman.

Once I finally made it through TSA, I joined Jenn, whom was sitting at a restaurant and Wizarding.  

Our plane was quite full, and someone sat between us, but the flight was fine, even though we missed our First Class treatment.  When we landed in LAX and got our bags, Jenn's car service picked us up, and we went to her house.  

We said our goodbyes, and I gave her big thank you hugs.

Thank you for an awesome birthday trip, Jenn!  I had a wonderful time, and I wish I could treat you with the same generosity and kindness for your birthday.  Maybe someday. 

Bananaman says "Thank you for the adventure!"