I took the train from Union Station to Penn Station in New York. The train was completely sold out in both directions. Everyone wore masks and I did not hear one complaint, I feel people were glad to be out and about.
At Penn Station, the Daniel Moynihan Train Hall opened on 1 January and is so sleek and new. The only problem I saw is that there are hardly any places to sit and none of the retail has opened except Starbucks and Magnolia Bakery (not Joanna Gaines' company), Amtrak does have a sitting area for ticketed customers, but it's not very big so on Sunday people were sitting on the floors (not me as I don't think I could have gotten up). I talked with a security guard and asked why no places to sit and he stated, don't want it to turn into the old Penn Station. Also, there are no trashcans anywhere and only one small area outside of the sitting room to plug in/charge. Believe me when I say security is everywhere.
I did not do any of my normal planning for this trip, I wanted to be present and let things just happen. Plus, my niece does not like something planned for every minute. We had a good time walking around the city, we would just turn left/right/etc. We tried restaurants I have not tried before. Always can find good food in NY! We found a couple of small parks and could sit in the shade. Great to see lots of outdoor dining options. It was hot/humid to the nth degree. There was a mix of mask/no mask. The majority of shop/restaurant staffers wore masks.
I have to be honest and say I was a bit nervous/anxious about this trip. After over a year of basically hibernating and watching the news of misbehaving travelers, I was a bit concerned. My observer mode was on high alert (which it is most of the time). I was also concerned about being with my niece as sometimes we are like two stubborn asses. Do you know how hard it is to keep up with a 21 year old who is four inches taller? My concern was for naught as we had such a good time. We walked everywhere in the heat/rain (she would stop and wait for me to catch up). We had some good conversations, laughs and quiet time together. We both tested our fear of heights at the top of the Empire State Building....but we did it! We survived and thrived on our first adventure post pandemic. Still not sure I'm ready to fly, but one step at a time.
Believe it or not I did finish a book last week: "ALMOST JUST FRIENDS" by Jill Shalvis. I did not realize this book is #4 of a series of 7 (just might have to purchase the rest). Strong women characters with family turmoils built in. I also watched: "MEGHAN LEAVEY" (2017) - The true life story of Megan Leavey, a young Marine corporal whose unique discipline and bond with a military combat dog saved many lives during her deployment in Iraq.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
July 11
Cheer up the Lonely Day
National Blueberry Muffins Day
World Population Day -- Previously Five Billion Day
July 12
Different Colored Eyes Day
Pecan Pie Day
July 13
Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
Embrace Your Geekness Day
Fool's Paradise Day
National French Fries Day
National Nitrogen Ice Cream Day
July 14
Bastille Day
Pandemonium Day
National Macaroni and Cheese Day
National Nude Day
Shark Awareness Day
July 15
Be a Dork Day
Cow Appreciation Day- Go out and give a cow a hug
National Give Something Away Day
Tapioca Pudding Day
July 16
Fresh Spinach Day
World Snake Day
July 17
Peach Ice Cream Day
World Emoji Day
Yellow Pig Day
I am going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
“Sometimes life knocks you on your ass... get up, get up, get up!!! Happiness is not the absence of problems, it's the ability to deal with them.” ― Steve Maraboli,
“You need to have faith in yourself. Be brave and take risks. You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward.” ― Roy T. Bennett