After a couple hours rest in the Westin's Heavenly Bed™ (aptly named, truly divine), Beanie sat off exploring the city on her own. She even ice skated by herself! I had a more difficult errand - had to return the studio keys to Uday. I took the train (yesterday's train problems mysteriously resolved) uptown, noted with relief that he wasn't in, handed the keys to his doormen and snuck off quickly. Walking to the train station, I suddenly heard someone calling me. Turned around, and it's Laura. Argh! She could not have been more gracious but the reality was I did wrong to them and had made no attempts at restoration.
This day was mostly uneventful. I met up with my old friend Schnippers (last time I was there with mom in summer 2011, she kept saying she hates american food...all while she finished all my fries!), then enjoyed Jersey Boys with Joel and Beanie. I could have chosen a different musical...it was my 3rd time watching this particular show, but I had the feeling Joel and Bean wouldn't like Wicked or any of the other ones as much. Anyways they both enjoyed it tremendously, which is what a musical should be about! Dinner was Sarina's favourite Gyros. Cheap and good, can't really ask for much more in Manhattan! Warmed by good food, basking in the aftermath of a delightful musical, the previous day's mishaps began to fade from memory. Maybe this trip wouldn't be *all* bad....
The next morning, Bean and I had breakfast at a random cafe next to the hotel. It was one of the few places open at that early hour. We had a list of things to do - 2 museums, lots of shopping, and dinner with everyone. We were determined to set off early and complete our touristy duties. Breakfast sucked, but I guess you can't ask for much at 7AM. We then started walking to the Met. Shops began opening, and along the way we even did a spot of shopping!
At the Met, Bean wanted to take in all the pieces in great detail. I'm not as artistically inclined - I want to see the *good* stuff. I have a vague idea famous artists like Picasso and Monet are good, sculptures are boring, and I dislike Renaissance era paintings. Too many Madonnas and Jesus paintings with finger pointing up or down signifying something different or other...it's not for me. I was looking forward to the Picasso exhibit at the Frick Collection after the Met. After wandering around for a couple hours alone, I had sushi at the Met's cafe. Shortly after, I started to feel quite ill.
I am not good at diagnosing what my body needs. I just...don't feel good. Bean refused to answer the cell, so I decided I'll just start heading back. Perhaps the crisp winter air will do the trick and I can make a stop at Frick? So I walked, and walked, feeling worse and worse. I passed the Frick and decided to just miss it this time round, though for the next mile I would obsess about turning back and going to see the Picassos. It's not like I go to NYC *that* often. When will Picasso visit again?
I walked from 80something street to the hotel at 44th, crossing a few avenues. The moment I reached my room, I knew what I had to do. I stepped into the bathroom and threw up for a while. Then I tried to sleep, waking up only for more upheaving sessions. By evening, I knew something was not right, but couldn't pinpoint the exact problem. Was it something I ate? But Bean and I had been eating the same things for the most part...
We had dinner with everyone scheduled, and I couldn't not go. It would have been bad etiquette I think. And anyway I want to go - each time I throw up I feel fantastic. That feeling would last for a little while - it's the vomit high! I was on such a vomit high when I decided to go to dinner. Walking from the subway stop to the restaurant, I started to feel bad again. As I walked, my brain started to assess the best spots to throw up at - is *this* tree good? Nahh, had a bike leaning against it, don't want to splash. Maybe *that* little alley between 2 shops? Nahh there's a pile of flattened boxes there. Maybe someone wanted to reuse it? With these thoughts I struggled to reach the restaurant. I was a little late and rather green, but otherwise felt sufficiently revived and able to be social for an evening.
After a beer, Beanie started to look ill too. Suddenly she excused herself and rushed to the restroom of the small restaurant. I had to go claim my "high" as well but could wait a few minutes for her. When she returned, she whispered to me the dreaded words..."Toilet won't flush!" We looked at each other in horror. This was a tiny restaurant with maybe 10 tables and 1 restroom. We couldn't subject anyone to *that*! Besides, I had some dire need myself, and there's nothing worse than seeing puke. I would feel queasy even if I were 100%.
We were still trying to decide what to do when she had to go again. She rushed to the restroom, returned, and shook her head miserably. I *really* had to go take a turn now, but the outside was sounding better and better to me every minute. We were trying to keep all these on the DL so our fellow diners wouldn't be grossed out, but there was really no hiding what's going on. Eventually, I could not suppress it any longer and went to the restroom. It was clean. :o I did what I had to do and tried the flush. It was a bit hard to use but did work. Heh
I mentioned the "vomit high". I felt great after this, and even looked so eager for dessert the rest decided to humour me and bought me a pastry. Uday sent us back by cab. Unfortunately, the nausea began anew, and it was all I could do to suppress my urge till we reached the Westin. There, after waving farewell to Uday/Penguin, I threw up on the street. Really could not hold it in anymore...
---------------------------------
Much worse things happened during the night and the next day we missed the train home because I was busy throwing up. But I want to try and forget this so I'm not going to pen it, sheesh. Suffice to say Westin at Times Square will be my first choice in NYC hotel from now on because of their superb cleaning staff. Also, do please leave a nice tip at your next hotel if the housekeeper does a nice job. They deserve it!
Are you wondering why this was the best trip ever? Because despite everything, this was an important journey for Beanie, which was our ultimate goal in doing NYC. So it's all worth it, and I'll do it all over again and again (but not a fourth time)!
Btw we took 0 pictures. Seriously. Don't ask.
We had dinner with everyone scheduled, and I couldn't not go. It would have been bad etiquette I think. And anyway I want to go - each time I throw up I feel fantastic. That feeling would last for a little while - it's the vomit high! I was on such a vomit high when I decided to go to dinner. Walking from the subway stop to the restaurant, I started to feel bad again. As I walked, my brain started to assess the best spots to throw up at - is *this* tree good? Nahh, had a bike leaning against it, don't want to splash. Maybe *that* little alley between 2 shops? Nahh there's a pile of flattened boxes there. Maybe someone wanted to reuse it? With these thoughts I struggled to reach the restaurant. I was a little late and rather green, but otherwise felt sufficiently revived and able to be social for an evening.
After a beer, Beanie started to look ill too. Suddenly she excused herself and rushed to the restroom of the small restaurant. I had to go claim my "high" as well but could wait a few minutes for her. When she returned, she whispered to me the dreaded words..."Toilet won't flush!" We looked at each other in horror. This was a tiny restaurant with maybe 10 tables and 1 restroom. We couldn't subject anyone to *that*! Besides, I had some dire need myself, and there's nothing worse than seeing puke. I would feel queasy even if I were 100%.
We were still trying to decide what to do when she had to go again. She rushed to the restroom, returned, and shook her head miserably. I *really* had to go take a turn now, but the outside was sounding better and better to me every minute. We were trying to keep all these on the DL so our fellow diners wouldn't be grossed out, but there was really no hiding what's going on. Eventually, I could not suppress it any longer and went to the restroom. It was clean. :o I did what I had to do and tried the flush. It was a bit hard to use but did work. Heh
I mentioned the "vomit high". I felt great after this, and even looked so eager for dessert the rest decided to humour me and bought me a pastry. Uday sent us back by cab. Unfortunately, the nausea began anew, and it was all I could do to suppress my urge till we reached the Westin. There, after waving farewell to Uday/Penguin, I threw up on the street. Really could not hold it in anymore...
---------------------------------
Much worse things happened during the night and the next day we missed the train home because I was busy throwing up. But I want to try and forget this so I'm not going to pen it, sheesh. Suffice to say Westin at Times Square will be my first choice in NYC hotel from now on because of their superb cleaning staff. Also, do please leave a nice tip at your next hotel if the housekeeper does a nice job. They deserve it!
Are you wondering why this was the best trip ever? Because despite everything, this was an important journey for Beanie, which was our ultimate goal in doing NYC. So it's all worth it, and I'll do it all over again and again (but not a fourth time)!
Btw we took 0 pictures. Seriously. Don't ask.
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