Day Five: A Rainy Day in the West Village

Monday was Martin Luther King day, so today is officially my first day not coming into work.  Despite the rain today, I want to be out of my apartment and around people, the kind of people who are at Cafes on Tuesdays at two in the afternoon.  I drop Lyla off at doggie daycare and I am wandering around the west village in search of a little Cafe where I could sit and plan my trip when I meet a new friend.  

Walking down 6^th Avenue I see a young woman who looks about my age.  She is asking a bum for directions.  While I’m sure the bum would be happy to bestow this information on her, I decide to offer some help.  “Where are you going?” I ask.  She turns from the bum and walks toward me.  

“Perry and Greenwich Ave,” She responds.  I give her the directions but I confirm with the map on my phone just to be sure.  I am really in no rush.

I notice that she has a thick Israeli accent. “Are you Israeli?” I ask.

“Yes,” she responds.
“I love Israel,” I say.
“Have you been?” She asks.
“Twice,” I reply, “one of my favorite places in the world. Are you from Tel Aviv?”
“I am.”

It turns out she is 25 too and has been living in New York for a year. After a year here, I can’t fathom why she is asking bums for directions, but I move on.  We chat for a minute and then she asks, “Want to go to the Box tonight? My friend is promoting.”  I’ve never been but I’ve heard its quite a show. I have no plans so I agree to meet her tonight.  We exchange numbers and I continue to wander until I settle at the 11^th St. Café for some oolong tea, free wireless and a place to write and plan. 

……………………..

After a few hours spent mapping out my trip and contemplating the timing, I realize that I have been a little ambitious and I won’t have enough time to make it to California before I leave for Colombia on February 18.  I’ll need to turn around sooner than I had thought.  I am also getting a lot of grief for missing so many soccer games, so by cutting the trip, I can leave after our game on Friday.  Revised game plan but I’m still going. 

In my research I found out that the Florida Keys is one of the most dog friendly tourist destinations and dogs are allowed on the beaches and in the parks.  Lyla and I are definitely going to spend some time down there.  After our trip down the coast, I will bring Lyla home and take off for Austin around February 5.  From Austin, I will fly to San Diego, rent a car and drive up the coast to Los Angeles and San Francisco, where I will take a flight back to NYC in time to leave for Colombia on the 18th. As of right now, that is the tentative plan. 

If you think you’ll be in Florida, Texas or California in the next month, or if you would like to be, please let me know.  I welcome good company.

Comments

[bob fetty]

Put me on the list!

[Doorman Jon]

Hey Katie,

How's it going? I hope life on the road is treating you well. I'm just now getting into your blog. Very cool. Are you planning to return to the building to drop Lyla off? Sounds like you'll be making pit stops, here. Don't get too tan, by the way. I might get a little jealous. LOL!