Take one good friend whose boyfriend’s brownstone basement apartment in Park Slopes, Brooklyn is available for use over the weekend while he is travelling. Ride to NY in comfort of friend’s Subaru Outback, park, and immediately proceed to take subway to 8th street station. Walk to Turkish and Russian baths (established in 1892!) on 10th Avenue and sweat it out for three hours. Eat a healthy dinner of kale and 3 layered cassarole (sweet potato, black beans, polenta in mushroom gravy) at The Organic Grill. Proceed back to bathhouse where across the street a Chinese salon offers 60 minute massages for $45. Return to Brooklyn (very relaxed and glowing) to end evening with decadent flourless chocolate cake and french pressed decaf organic coffee at the CocoaBar. Turn in for the night. Wake up the next morning, take subway back into Manhattan. Intend to go to yoga class but find out the class meets later. Shop around instead and see interesting shops (especially Evolution which boasts bones, bugs, anatomical models, fossils, and other fancy stuff). Meet with friend’s friend for brunch and coffee. Friend points out place to find singing bowl at Do Kham. Find perfect singing bowl to bring home. Pick up gourmet delights at Kee’s Chocolates. Return to Golden Bridge for Kundalini Yoga class. Feel great after an hour of breath work. Shop around some more. See fun places like Pearl River Market. Return to Brooklyn. Eat another healthy vegan meal at the V-spot where the chicken burrito is delicious (and the soy? chicken would fool any carnivore). Walk back to brownstone apartment. After minor lockout, gain access with emergency set of keys. Pack up and head back home content and happy (but loathe to face the coming workweek). Promise self to experience more weekends like this one.
Happy Birthday, Carissa! October 21, 2006
We are going to celebrate by having pancakes for dinner at the Americana diner, then watching Wim Wemders’ “Wings of Desire” on dvd. This gift is a surprise!
