I met up with an airline friend based in Manila who was visiting New York for a few weeks. She had been trying to contact me the past week and I had only one day free to go brunching. I ym'd her to meet me at Starbucks in 71st and Continental at about 1330H. Haha, what a relief to be using military time without getting confused looks.
Photo by Chensiyuan, 2010
I took her to my favorite spot in Manhattan, Union Square on 14th St. and Broadway. It felt a bit like the University Belt in Manila with all the preppy types, if not a little better dressed, and with more quaint restaurants than you can imagine. We had lunch at Saigon Market and then walked over to the best bookstore ever, with its 18 miles of new, old and out of print books. Strand is located on 12th St. and Broadway.
I would happily volunteer to get lost here. I told Trina as soon as we entered the store, "Ok, let's meet out front whenever you're ready. Wala nang pansinan to." I couldn't be bothered by anyone and I hadn't even moved from the first shelf. I bought The Catcher in the Rye and Flowers for Algernon, both cheaper here than in my regular libraries Borders and Barnes&Noble.
Of course, my rest and relaxation day with a friend won't be complete without an $10 banana/Nutella/ice cream crepe at Vive Le Crepe.
Then had a few drinks with another friend in this Asian bar that serves sake and fruit-flavored soju. This is so bad, I can't even remember the name of the bar.
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