On Wednesday Rachael, Tina and I awoke to beautiful and terrential rain. Our thoughts of walking across the Brooklyn Bridge were a little "drowned" out. However, that's not going to stop 3 of us from having a good day.
We had a simple morning. Grabbing breakfast near Grand Central Station, which is the ideal place for any traveller to start as they offer everything from full cooked sit down meals, to quick grab and go pastries. We opted for simple eggy omtlete fare and toast, and we were on our way.
I had reserved tickets for us to visit the 9/11 Memorial, and despite the rain, decided to continue on with that plan. We took a yellow cab (something one must do on a rainy day in NY).... and I laughed when Tina put on her best "Sarah Jessica Parker" wave and jumped out to flag one down... it was so funny... and perfect... as we immediately got a Taxi. 
Soon after we were going through the security check and navigated our way to the memorial site. I took time to walk independently through the space... realizing that it was 13 years to the very day that I had been there with John (the day after we got engaged) and had been laying down on a bench looking up at the twin towers. Now I was looking up, at the Freedom Tours that are climbing high and are being build at an impressive rate.
It has taken me a while to describe in words what I felt walking through the memorial. A deep sense of awe.... Remembering how it was 13 years ago during my last visit.... i just felt a profound sense of juxtaposition. Sadness knowing that what once was there, the people, the lives, the way of life, can never be replaced, or fixed... and a proud sense of accomplishment that these new freedom towers are being built, and are a symbol of strength... and are "rising" from this sadness.
and then voted that the rest of the day should be spent in dryer conditions. We were soaked to the bones and were glad for a warm cafe and a cup of coffee.
Tina and Rachael opted to spend the afternoon shopping, and I decided to make this the afternoon to visit with some friends who live in the area.
I had the opportunity to meet up with a high school friend, Ricardo. It was raining pretty hard so the idea of walking across the Brooklyn Bridge will have to wait until a future trip. But a subway trip into Brooklyn was certainly an alternative. I navigated my way and then arrived and was greeted by Ricardo. We walked through several streets and then turned onto a charming street of row-houses.. traditional Brownstones. The trees were wet, and rustling in the rain, and the streets were shiny, wet, and just beautiful. I enjoyed hearing the sounds of the wet footsteps as we walked and talked.
We got to Ricardo's place which was a quaint old traditional, with a lot of old charm. I was forwarned that their place was still undergoing rennovations.. (been there, done that... um, yeah, I get it)... and was then greeted by his two lovely and friendly dogs.
After a quik rest we headed off and he gave me a driving tour... the nickel and dime special, of Brooklyn.. turning down and up borough after borough. Old worlds charm, giving me the details of each neighborhood... the architecture, the history,... it was wonderful.
Eventually we stopped at a quaint little Peruvian Restaurant, tucked away within the neighborhood.... LUZ
I went on a culinary vacation and my tastebuds are extremely happy. To drink we had the above pictured Pisco Sour Mango! To eat we had a selection of tapas... Shrimp and Crab Ceviche, a type of corn cake, maise, and some beans and saffron, tartare, and the pork w/ granola & mandarin oranges with citrus dipping sauce. Oh, Wow!!! Any foodies out there? Put this on your hit list...
After eating we continued the driving tour... around the Brooklyn Bridge, the Docks,... (I'll need to consult a map and note all the different neighborhoods)... but we saw the Arts districts, the Fashion districts, and many areas that used to be industry and have now become a new mecca for artists and businesses alike... so cool, and just the type of stuff I love!
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