Day 151 - 2Beans

After a full day of work, winding down is the only thing planned. Normally. However, the life of a Mountbatten in NY, means that going to work is only half the day.

To make sure I was fresh and ready for my meeting at the Mountbatten office, I grabbed a cup of coffee. Outside of my bubble world, a coffee at 6pm sounds mad. However, when they look and taste as good as this one, you could drink them all day long.

2Beans (40th and Park) were the producer of my early evening pick me up. Highly recommended for any Coffee and Chocolate lovers. At least one of those applies to everyone, right?

Day 150 - Bleek

As I hit my one hundred and fiftieth day, I reflected slightly on what had been, and it got me excited about what was coming
for the next century and a half.

Hopefully though, my outlook on the future is not as bleek as my outlook from the ferry. Visibility = None.

Day 149 - Ilili & 230 Fifth

After work today, I met my V.I.Ts for a drink at 230 Fifth Avenue. This is a rooftop bar that has a spectacular view of the Empire State Building and midtown Manhattan. As we were sat outside in NY's 'brisk' January weather, we took full advantage of their bright red fleecy housecoats. Unfortunately I didn't get any snaps of my ridiculous but highly practical dressing gown, so I promise when Alice sends me her pics, I will put them up.

We came here as we were killing time (in style may I add) before we were to meet Alice's godmother and niece, at Ilili (236 5th Av). This is a Lebanese fusion restaurant, that has shown brussel sprouts to me in a new light.

Prior to tonight, I would have a solitary sprout on Christmas Day. No more. No less. In my eyes they are putrid but I always promise my Mum that I will eat one. However, after my sprout experience tonight, I think I am a changed man! It was because these sprouts were grilled, then mixed with grapes, fig jam, walnuts, mint yoghurt and pomegranate. B-E-A-Utiful!

It is however bitter sweet. As, the next time I have sprouts, I will expect nothing less other than the taste sensation that I experienced tonight. I may have to lower my expectations for future sprout encounters.

Day 148 - Post-Exam Celebration

I had my first exam today. Unfortunately, it was at 10am, lasted three hours and was on a Sunday. Fortunately, I had an afternoon of sites and attractions with my latest V.I.T (Very Important Tourists) to look forward to. And there were some serious sites around New York today!

Today was the official New York 'No Pants Subway Ride'. This made it a surprise when we were seeing bared legs, of all shaped and sizes flaunted around the carriages. It was as if, it was not normal to be wearing pants.

Following the Sunday afternoon, semi-nudity, we rode the subway downtown, to Chelsea Piers and walked along the High Line. The High Line is a public park along an old freight line, that has been renovated as a beautiful promenade. As we strolled along, it was hard not to notice the amazing street art. I'm looking forward to doing that when it is a bit warmer.

To finish off the day, I took Rhys and Alice to Ryan's Daughter, to shoot some hoops and drink a few pints of the black stuff. As long as the exam went ok, I would say it was a successful day. Fingers crossed!

Day 147 - From Columbia, to Riverside, to Armstrong's, all in a morning.

I had a jam packed morning today, as I wanted to play the tourist with Rhys and Alice, before I had to return as the student this afternoon.

We started of with a visit to the grounds of Columbia University. Here's hoping that some of the educational prowess, that exists on these premises, will have worn of on me for tomorrow. We then went to the Riverside Church to take in the grandeur of this historically and architecturally magnificent institution.

Our last trip of the morning was to Louis Armstrong's house in Queens. It is unbelievable the modesty of this house. I mean, for a man that was earning over $500,000 a year in 1944, (equivalent to around $7million in todays money) to live in this humble abode says alot about who he was. I learnt today that he was an extremely generous man, who used to give the majority of his possessions and wealth away to local communities and those with a greater need. It was pretty surreal, as you walked around his house, where over 90% of it is, as it was when Louis was around.

To those of you who are familiar with NY and its boroughs, you would know that we covered alot of ground today in quite a short amount of time. This was all due to Alice's godmother's, niece, who very kindly drove us around. Thank you very much Anouche!

Day 146 - #SpecialFwends

To blow away the January blues, Rhys and Alice, my closest friends, have flown over from the UK.

Prior to their US touchdown, a lot of the the conversation has focused around calorie intake. When I mentioned that each chicken wing is roughly 100 calories, they couldn't wait to get started! First stop - Genesis Burger!

Day 145 - Gallagher's

Great New York steakhouses are becoming common visits for me at the moment.

Today we went to Gallagher's on 52nd and Broadway. This NY institution is notorious among baseball players, actors and broadway lovers who want a good steak and a stiff drink.

Sitting at Robert de Niro's table (minus Robert himself unfortunately) we devoured their glorious steaks, drank their wine and contemplated their deserts. That was one mouthful too far!

Afterwards, I cheekily asked could we have a look in the private dining room, where the heads of state and guests, who want the extra special treatment, will dine. The room had a nostalgic ambience about it. You could get a sense that the walls had some serious stories to tell.