An Almost-Mugging and a Gigantic Sandwich

NY Day 7

Today's goal was an exploration of the Upper East Side. I almost think I went a bit too upper.

I started off at 5th Ave. and 104th Street, which is where the Museum of NY History is. I didn't actually go in (whereas this was mainly a theatre trip, having seen 6 shows, my next trip here will be a museum trip), but instead walked down 5th, which borders Central Park. Unfortunately Cedar St. Sinai is there, and where there is a hospital, there are crazy people lurking.

I was wandering down 5th, minding my own business, when this crazy lady comes up behind me. She looked rough and like her crack had recently worn off and she was wanting more. Anyway, she comes up behind me and proceeds to walk aside me, telling me that her daughter needs formula and that her apartment burned down and they put her up in a hotel and that she can't afford formula for her sick child and she's unfamiliar with this area, and the hospitals in this area don't have the formula she needs and she's not asking for money but for help with formula (preferrably two cans). I didn't believe her at all (seriously, she looked like she was on crack), and she wouldn't leave me alone - she kept following me despite the fact I wasn't very polite to her. She made me feel terribly uncomfortable (especially since I was unfamiliar with my background) and she wouldn't take no for an answer. And there was no police officer around (surprising, since I see oodles of them daily). I honestly thought she was going to snatch my purse and run if I was rude to her.

Luckily, there was a drug store nearby and I went into it with her, planning on losing her there in public. I told her inside that I couldn't help her. She was not happy with me at all, but left. After she left, I stayed behind. The lady behind the counter came up to me and asked about the crazy woman. I told her that she wouldn't leave me alone and I thought she was going to mug me. She told me that the lady comes in at least once a week with someone new, convincing them to buy her formula and that's she's a scam artist. If it works, she's smart, because baby formula is expensive. If she gets people to buy it for her (2 or 3 cans at a time) and returns it for cash, she can rake in around $60 a person. The lady at the drugstore and two guys who worked with her looked outside for the crazy woman - I was not leaving that store until I was sure she was nowhere in sight.

After I was sure she was gone, I went about my merry way. My ankle held up just fine for the 5 miles or so I walked today.

Here's some things I saw:
1) The Plaza (no longer a hotel). But, being the geek that I am, I took a picture of the side where Carrie told Big "You're girl's lovely" in the season 2 finale.
2) The Russian Tea Room. Closed down.
3) Designer shops that blew my mind (and would blow my pocketbook).
4) Serendipity 3 - home of the famous frozen hot chocolate and sundaes.

I stopped at Serendipity. I've wanted to for a while, so I treated myself to a frozen hot chocolate which was YUMMY. I took a picture of it.

Then I continued to walk around, dodge thunderstorms and people.

I ended up at Carnegie Deli (thanks Donna!). Wow. The wait was long, but when I was finally seated, they brought me a bowl of pickles! Home-made pickles! (Andy, you never would've survived there). Then I ordered a corned beef sandwhich (when in NY...). I kid you not, it was 6 inches high. I realized I'd only eat half of it, so I just focused on that half. And I had to remove meat and eat it separately before I could even tackle the sandwich! Sorry, Donna, I didn't have room for cheesecake. But I will before I leave!

Then a thunderstorm started to loom, so I headed back to the apartment. Now I'm doing my nails and plan on showering soon to get ready for tonight. Christine and I are going to Bed, which looks fun. It's a "hot spot" in NY. Check out their website at www.bedny.com

Cheers!