New York City and back

Back from NYC and I thought I would miss it but I don't. I am staying over in Vienna for a few days, no need to explain why.

On Sunday Michelangelo and I decided to go shopping to buy souveniers and other things. We ended up closing the Roosevelt Fields Mall in Long Island (if I'm not mistaken?). I admit I would've preferred to have shopped in the many boutiques in Madison Avenue, which I must say were quite near to our hotel. But he insisted he didn't want to shop there because it was overpriced. So we took a cab (another mistake considering NOT one of the five cabs we took knew how to get there). Most definitely not a good idea to go shopping on a Sunday when everyone is there. It's quite vexing to be with all those people bumping into you and not apologizing. Not only that, the sales people can be quite rude on occassion. I didn't buy as much as I want to and I didn't go to half the stores as much as I would've wanted to, but that happens when you're running short on time.

After that we went to La Goulue, a decadent (not to mention delicious) french bistro located in 65th and Madison. The food is simply remarkable. I know Michelangelo thought the same for we barely spoke when our food was in front of us. Simply... delicious.

Then we had quite an interesting flight back. Well actually interesting is putting it nicely. It was a complete nightmare with the bloody airline cancelling flights left and right and re-routing us through unthinkable places! It was particularly nervewrecking for me after I had made a mental schedule of where I would be and at what hour I would be there. We met up with Dr. Stocker in the airport which thank God, supplied me with conversation since Michelangelo was useless in that department. And we also met up with Marie, who mistakenly (or purposely?) took our flight. She said she didn't want to be alone.

Alas, I'm in Vienna, and I'm seeing Caterina Maria in a few hours so it was all worth it.

NYC

I am alive and I am well. It has been two very active days for me here in the city that never sleeps. I have been able to prove just that, considering that I've hardly slept. I must admit that traveling with someone is quite entertaining, gives you endless stories to tell.

After changing our flight plans several times to accomodate my schedule, we decided to leave early in the morning, since we had various things to do that same night. Customs was fine, the first class seats were fine but obviously Michelangelo wasn't fine. He had somehow memorized all this useless (equally frightening) trivia concerning the probabilites of a plane falling. Exactly what you need to hear on a six hour trip to New York from London. I practically forcefed him the pill and after two minutes of pure blabber and the occasional whimper for Thierry, he fell asleep. After that the flight was blissful. I watched Casino Royal and some news highlights. We then landed and arrived after 45 minutes to The Pierre Hotel right next to Central Park. The hotel is lovely but a bit too classy for my taste. And by classy I mean classic.

Michelangelo went off to his shoot in Central Park and I went to some meetings. We met up in the Majestic Theather to see the Phantom of the Opera. We arrived just in time to see the chandelier go up. It was fun, enthralling and quite breathtaking. I now owe him 250 dollars, since he bet that I'd like it. After that his photographer made reservations for us in Buddha Bar. I loved it. The music, the decoration, the beautiful people... everything. I knew that we both, as we chatted, would rather be with our respective others. Ahem. Well, he with his boyfriend and me with my....... Caterina.

Anyways... we danced a bit then we went back to the hotel around 3 in the morning. And let me tell you, sleeping with Michel... is quite unnerving. I admire Rink for it. He kept clinging to me, believing I was Thierry and whispering his name. So I was forced to sleep on the couch (which is something I am NOT PARTIAL to) because he was so annoying. Though trust me, that was the last night I slept on the couch.

The next day we had a delicious breakfast. I ate my traditional English breakfast plus some Belgium waffles. Absolutely delightful.

After that, Michelangelo went to his other shoot and I went to the American Museum of Natural History to see the Planetarium, the GOLD display and the Butterflies. I actually interacted with about a thousand butterflies. Caterina Maria... would've loved it. The museum was far too big for me to actually see it in it's completion (four FLOORS) but I quite enjoyed it. Then I went to see some of my friends in Queens. Olivia and Victor, they've been married for our two years now and I hadn't seen them since. I realized how much I missed them after spending a few minutes with them. It was minutes because I got lost using that wretched, DIRTY, FILTHY subway system. That smell... how can people USE that on a daily basis!?

I went to the theater again where I met up with Michelangelo to see Mamma Mia! That was a very fun musical. The music of the entire show is from ABBA and I could find myself singing a few songs without intending to do so. After that, Michelangelo went to another photoshoot and I went to a business dinner in a restaurant whose name escapes me.

Then I came back to the hotel, Michelangelo was already sleeping on the couch much to my relief. So I had a good night after all. Big bed all to myself.

Off I go now.