It must seem a bit strange to suddenly have Casa New York come to life. After all it has been 336 days since Penny and I signed off, checked out of our apartment on 21st and returned to Vancouver.  And there is no doubt that it has been a busy time since. We came home to a brand new kitchen and bathroom and we didn’t stop there; we spent five weeks in the desert and four weeks away on the motorcycle. We were blessed with a new granddaughter – the very adorable Hayley – who joined big sister Rachel (equally adorable by the way). Busy and exciting times.

Through all of this however New York was never far away. When you spend enough time there, it gets into your bones. And it got into ours.

I asked Penny what she thought it would feel like to go back. She paused a moment and then responded, “a little like going home.” She was right; we have come home to a place we came to know and love; a place like home.

Our trip back to the Big Apple had a “draw”.  Penny’s cousin who we spend much time with last year was celebrating a significant birthday – today actually – and we thought it would be great fun to surprise her.  It didn’t actually turn out as a surprise, but that doesn’t matter; it was great to see her.  Thursday we rose early, cabbed to the airport and boarded United 1528 to LaGuardia.  We have arrived at LaGuardia several times before but there was a lot more excitement this time.  As we flew up the east coast and up the East River on our approach, the City literally reached up to us.  The new Freedom Tower, the Chrysler building the lights of Times Square were all there.  And the Empire State Building was decked out in her pure white lights.  We almost squeezed out the window.  Then there was the cab ride into the City and the building energy we felt in the air as we came out of the Midtown Tunnel onto 38th Street, turned down Park Avenue and came across 29th Street to 7th Ave and to our new temporary home on 26th.  Just 5 blocks – a short 4 minute walk – from our former Casa New York.

It was like we had come back from a weekend out of the City.  Everything was so familiar.  We walked up 7th Ave and passed the same stores, restaurants.  We immediately fell back into crossing streets against the light.  There was the constant sound of horns honking in the post rush hour traffic.  This is not a touristy area, mostly New Yorkers going about their business.  The tourists are 20 blocks up in Time Square and the Theatre District.  We met Theria at Seven where we were greeted by Niles and Kevin like we were regulars.  Reconnecting was fabulous.  It was almost 2am before we wandered back down 7th Ave to our hotel.  We definitely felt a great connection to this place, something we are now sure we will never lose.

Friday we met Theria at the Malibu Diner on 23rd for breakfast.  This was a another favourite place where you can get a great breakfast and coffee for less than 10 bucks.  Across the street was the Garden of Eden deli where we did a lot of our shopping.  So familiar. Theria went off to work and we jumped on the #1 subway and headed up to Columbus Circle and Central Park, stopping for a quick look through one of the street markets that spring up in New York in the month leading to Christmas.  The sun was out and the temperature just below freezing but walking into the park was magical.  We have been here many times before but it is always a marvel to walk.  Up past Hechscher playground; around the Sheep Meadow covered with a light dusting of snow; up to Strawberry Fields; around The Lake to Bethsada Fountain.  There was a group singing Christmas Carols in below the Minton Mosaics in the Arcade:  we probably heard them last year as well.  Compared to our past visits there were very few people or vendors on the Mall.  But the sun was out burning the starkness of the brown grass and bare trees.  It was interesting to watch wonder in the eyes of those who were obviously here for the first time.

Wolman Rink was full of skaters, just like the images we have all seen of a New York winter.  We indulged in the same terrible sausage dog at the outdoor Rink Grill that gave us indigestion last year.  Fortunately we had the Tums with us.

We left the Park at 59th and 5th Ave and headed in to see the tree at the Plaza and warm up.  Then down what must be the busiest shopping street in North America past Gucci, Louis Vuttion, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany’s and Harry Winston.  A bit of shopping and a quick trip past the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree.  We walked across 48th, skirted Time Square – it loses its appeal after a couple of visits – and back on the “1”

When we arrived in New York last year, we met Theria for the first time at a great little Italian Restaurant called Le Zie at 7th and 20th. We returned there to relive that meeting and to see Penny’s cousin Christina who has come in from Montreal to help celebrate the birthday that brought us here.  Reunions are so much fun!

This morning its snowing in New York and we are expected to get three inches.  It will be another great day for sure!