DAY 3

Our 3rd day was a rainy one, but we Southern Californians couldn't have cared less. After the Duane Reed's (equivalent to a Rite Aid here) across the street profited from a few umbrella purchases, we took on the city like New Yorkers would...except for Chris who almost got trapped in the subway. Hahaha...TOURIST! jk!
Our first meal of the day was comprised of...FRENCH FRIES! There is a restaurant that ONLY serves french fries, along with its signature gravy and a slew of other sauces and seasonings that any fry-lover would die for.
A few blocks back to the subway, we came upon this cafe. What began as a mere bathroom stop/coffee break, turned into a promise to return the next day. After standing in line at TKTS to buy some tickets to a broadway musical for our Friday night, a pirate ship-like boat in the distance caught our attention so we walked towards it and, by the dock sat a brewery...BOOZE BREAK! Aaaarrrrrrrrgggghhhhh!!!

A round of beers and cider for everyone!

A sampler for Randy!!!...and an iced tea for me please. I was on Naproxyn and Prevacid. Damn you traumatic arthritis!!! Actually, truth be told, my foot/ankle BARELY bothered me at all. Dang, drugs are amazing!
So after a few drinks and some well-deserved hanging-out time, we headed towards the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art). Going from one section of New York to another provide worlds of difference. We went from walking around narrow one way streets, brownstone buildings with a wall of firescapes, and a pretzel/hot dog vendor on every corner, to Park Avenue, where an island of tulips line the middle of the street and the sidewalk is lain with hexagonal brick tiles.
We gave ourselves 45 minutes to get in and out of the MET. It's a museum, reminiscent of a hotel, where a grand lobby, complete with a concierge posing as the info desk, promises kernels of knowledge to anyone who dare to ask for it:

Every student lugging a notebook, every tourist with a fanny pack on, any passer-by who strolls in for an impromptu visit; anything you want to know about the infamous NYC center of art and culture, they will know. All this greets you...after the metal detectors say it's ok.The walk over here was a bit much, so Cile, Chris and Randy had some snacks. Seriously...FOOD EVERYWHERE YOU TURN.

And most areas allow no-flash photography, so I took advantage and took this picture of a Van Gogh masterpiece. I'm no expert in classic art, but Van Gogh paintings always look so dreamlike, images in an eternal softglow setting.

THIS PLACE IS HUGE! We all disbanded for half an hour and I did as much writing as I could, but the MET is so massive that I made a silent promise to return next time and spend a whole day roaming each gallery and hallway.

Next up was the Guggenheim. The first time we TRIED to visit this museum in 2000, it was closed. This time, it was packed! The "Space of Things" exhibit with the colored-tile floor? - Clever! We did a quick run and got on our way again...

We were starving from the day's events so we stopped for a pizza snack (again) before the show.

We watched Spamalot!!! Hilarious! At first I didn't think this musical was about anything. But then you get a chance to really listen to what everyone is singing and suddenly the simple messages flow from stage to audience, overhead lightbulbs flashing sporadically between the orchestra, mezzanine and balcony seating...

If you trust in your song

Keep your eyes on the goal

Then the prize you won't fail

That's your grail...

So be strong

Keep right on

To the end of your song

Do not fail

Find your grail...

Life is really up to you

You must choose what to pursue

Set your mind on what to find

And there's nothin' you can't do

So keep right to the end

You'll find your goal my friend

You won't fail

Find your grail

* * *

Some things in life are bad

They can really make you mad

Other things just make you swear and curse.

When you're chewing on life's gristle

Don't grumble, give a whistle

And this'll help things turn out for the best

And always look on the bright side of life

Always look on the light side of life

If life seems jolly rotten

There's something you've forgotten

And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing...