The City that Never Sleeps

When they say that New York is the city that never sleeps-they mean it.  I used to think it was just because there was always something going on, some fraction of the population always awake, doing something cool-but no, I think the people there flat out don't sleep, ever.  They're like crazed fun-zombies, because there is just too much fun to be had to waste any time doing something as trivial as resting, ugh.

I had been planning a fall trip to NYC to visit Shawn ever since he moved out there earlier this year, and I was able to convince a few of my college girlfriends to come out and join us, too!  Amanda, Kristen, and Brittany were all there-and suddenly it turned into an amazing reunion weekend.  Google doesn't have enough memory space for me to tell you everything we did/saw/experienced over our long weekend there, but here are some highlights:

Straight from Italy: Grom gelato!  Plus I got to order in Italian.
#willyouorderforme

First time we four had been reunited since graduation!
I finally understand what the heck "The Highline" is-an elevated park that weaves 

through the west "coast" of Manhattan on abandoned train tracks.  So cool.

Beauty & Essex-the delicious, speakeasy restaurant whose entrance is a pawn shop.

They had a lounge in the women's restroom where they gave free champagne.

#lightbling

Going out that night included pickle back shots, dancing to 90's hip hop for Rachael's birthday, creepers, 8-Mile style rap performances, pizza wars, and an underground cave.

That pizza was seriously the WORST.
They loved it.

Brooklyn Bagel.  Nom nom.

I have five words for you: kalamata olive feta cream cheese.

We went to see The Dance Cartel perform at the Ace Hotel.

It's kind of impossible to describe, but there were about a dozen dancers performing interactive, theatrical dances with a lot of high kicks and glitter makeup: everything from an interpretive "I'll Make Love to You" by Boyz II Men, to a ballet-choreographed "Turn Down For What", plus a live latin-reggae singer at one point, as well as a drumline.  Try to figure that one out.

#glitterrave

This drunk guy.

He bought us a round of drinks, but also spilled them on us.

"Mom", me, and Amanda on the Staten Island Ferry.

Lady Liberty!

Chillin' in Brooklyn.

#whatbridgeisthat

Amanda recommended Milon, a kitschy Indian restaurant covered top to bottom in light strands from every holiday, as well as ornaments and international flags.

 #birthdayscelebratedhere

Monday was Shawn and Kelly's Day of Fun! (Cue Janice voice from Friends)
I think the highlight of the day was going to the Met (Shawn kept us on a tight schedule so I only got to pick one wing), and the most beautiful view awaited us at the top.  Lounging on the grass up there, we joked we were in our own French Impressionist painting.

Awesome things I experienced over the weekend that are not pictured:

• Seeing Chicago on Broadway
• Shopping and lunch at the Chelsea Market
• Ogling beautiful men, all of whom apparently live in New York
• Strolling through Central Park, and witnessing part of the Columbus Day Parade
• Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda", the soundtrack of our trip, playing for us everywhere we went
• Brunching at Oprah-approved Sarabeth's, eating Macaroons from Laduree, pizza and pasta at Eataly (this was all in one day)
• Drinks on the roof of the Standard Hotel (there's a hot tub in the bar!)
• Visiting the 9/11 Memorial at night-I can't imagine anything that could've been created that would have been more beautiful and appropriate than the massive, plunging, glittering double waterfalls they selected.  There's this somber weight that hits you as you walk up, and tears welled in my eyes immediately.  It was a beautiful experience.

I don't think it will take me another ten years to get back to New York this time around-I loved it!