Eleanor Put Your Boots On. Jillian take yours off.

I forgot to mention in the last post that all along my travels from Winnipeg to Toronto to NY I was texting my friends and family to tell them things like, "I'm in Toronto!" and "I've landed in New York!" I was sure that I had texted my dad when I met up with NYF. We were at the bank and NYF was taking out money so I took the moment to send a message. But apparently it didn't get through because later that night NYF was checking his e-mail and had a note from my parents asking him to tell me to send them a message to let them know that I was okay and not roaming the subways lost and alone (they had his e-mail because I sent them both my itinerary when I booked my flight).

How old was I turning again?

NYF said it was "sweet" but I think he was just being polite. Later that weekend he asked me if I ever wanted to live somewhere other than Winnipeg. How could I explain to NYF (who had previously been San Francisco Friend and East Africa Friend) that I would have no problem moving away, anywhere, for a period of time, if it were not for the fact that it would certainly kill my parents.

On to day two: my birthday.

We got up early and headed to a place (I should remember the name, but I don't right now) for authentic New York bagels. Mine had sesame seeds on it. It was good, but I was disappointed with the lack of options. I like the multi-grain-type of bread products, which seem to be kind of rare in New York. After giving my jaw a good workout with the chewy (in a good way) breakfast, NYF and I parted so he could go to work and I could start my solo adventure on the island of Manhattan.

I started walking, with no particular destination in mind, down Amsterdam until it seemed to get less populated and less interesting. I stopped to buy a copy of the New York Times and the New York Post so I could check my birthday horoscope. At a random corner I turned left and followed behind a mother and her three children until I got to Columbus. I soon found a Starbucks where I grabbed a latte and pulled out my maps.

I knew I wanted to go to Steve and Barry's in the Manhattan Mall to check out Sarah Jessica Parker's clothing line, Bitten. So I found a subway route that seemed appropriate and took the plunge.

I got off a stop too far. I think I ended up at the corner of 8Av and 6th. So I walked. And soon enough I started to shuffle because blisters were forming on my feet and making their painful presence known loud and clear. I stopped in at CO Bigelow's on 6th Av and made my first purchase: a box of Band Aids. I sat right down on a chair in the store, took off my boots and taped up my toes.

I enjoyed my mosey down 6th and stopped every once in a while to take some pictures. I also stopped in at a stationery store to buy postcards for what seemed like a standard 69 cents each. Later I would see them as cheap as 15 for a buck. I carried on and soon found the mall I was looking for.

By this time though, my feet were really bad. Not only were the blisters bad, but the arch of my left foot felt like I had ripped it in two. I was almost limping. I stopped first in a few discount stores and then Journeys to try to find some cheap runners I could wear instead of my evil boots. I had resigned to the fact that my special purchase birthday shoes were going to be some funky coloured sneakers. However, I spotted Macy's next door and decided to check it out since I have often had good luck with finding a good deal on shoes there.

Lucky me, Macy's was having a one day major shoe sale! It was crazy busy in there and I didn't see a single runner, but I did spot a prize winning pair.


Black satin trimmed with gold, four-inch Betsey Johnson heel with a cute ribbon tie. The sole is bright pink and features the signature print of Betsey's winking face. I was in love. All pain melted away as I lifted the pieces of art out of their bright pink box and slipped them onto my feet. Yes, these would be my New York Birthday Shoes.

I happily limped out of Macy's and asked for directions to the nearest Payless Shoe Store where I then purchased my second gift to myself--plain black $27 runners. The boots went right into the shopping bag and I carried on with my journey.

I literally next wandered into Times Square. I had no idea it was on my route. I don't think I even realized right away what it was. I think I was expecting a sign or something.
My favourite part of the square was the Charmin Restrooms. I don't know how to explain this place. It's really a high energy space with 20 private stalls. People line up Disneyland-style and wait for the announcer to point them to the next empty room. All around you there are Charmin staff smiling and dancing. The facilities look like your bathroom at home, possibly nicer, and feature six different rolls of Charmin bathroom tissue products.

I eventually wandered out of Times Square and found myself back at Central Park. NYF was going to be at work until 6:30 so I had the choice to either meet him down there or wait for him to come back uptown. I was feeling pretty confident with my subway skills, so I decided to try meeting up with him. I texted him as I was going into the subway. Little did I know, the message did not go through and he had no idea I was on my way.

I took a B train with the intention to get off around 14 St. But I gambled with the stops, and lost, and ended up a good eight or nine blocks too far. So then I tried to come back, but took the wrong train and ended up only at 9th Av with NYF already making his way back uptown to the apartment. I started to panic because I had to be home in time for us to head out for the trapeze lessons. It was my birthday and I was cold and lost in New York. This was starting to feel awful. NYF texted me with simple directions that made me feel better. However, to make sure I made it in time I ran, shopping bags in tow, all the way up 6th AV to Penn Station. The mercy shoes became miracle shoes as there is no way I would have been able to do that in my boots.

When I emerged from the subway, back in NYF's neighbourhood, someone stopped me to ask for directions. Somewhat ironically, I actually knew what to tell them.

And then we went trapezing. I am tempted to skim this part because it didn't turn out to be as amazing as I thought it would be. It was fun, and I am happy I did it, but I don't feel passionate about the memory.

The instructors were friendly and enthusiastic. NYF was jumping up and down with excitement. I probably looked nervous, but I wasn't, I was just focused on trying to envision how I was going to do the swing. Trapezing is a bit technical--there is a stance you have to adopt and a series of positions to take before you will find yourself hanging by your knees. I learn best when I can check myself out in a mirror and see where I need to adjust my position. Basically I learn by figuring things out for myself. Having the instructors tell me each time that I need to hug my knees before wrapping my legs over the bar just wasn't helpful. NYF was a natural though and he was invited to attempt a catch, which he made (he was the one being caught). I was happy for him. I was also happy for myself just for being able to get into the knee hang and then do the back flip dismount (even though I did it wrong, but I imagine it looked cooler that way).

NYF and I headed home and kept our eyes open for places with cake. Unfortunately, (and somewhat oddly) most places were closed right up (I suppose it was somewhere between 11:00 p.m. and midnight, but still, what happened to "The city that never sleeps?). Fortunately, my mom had sent a piece of cake with me. I also packed a candle, but no lighter or match. I stuck the candle in the cake anyway and NYF shone his beside lamp on it while singing "Happy Birthday". At the end I blew on the candle and NYF flicked off the light. It was perfect.

Many people kindly sent me birthday greetings through Facebook, text messages and e-mails. I didn't have time to acknowledge them then, so I am thanking you all now. It was a lovely New York birthday.