Closing ceremonies

Well almost,...

In 5 days the Che tour of NYC concludes and then it's back to Vancouver, B.C.. The last remaining days have been busily spent working on a Uranium deal back home, whilst attempting to reminis a little on the whole New York vibe. That being said, it's actually time to go, like now. Let's see,...well no 5 month trip is complete without a little Craig Watson time, and it was starting to look like he was never coming out here. So the phone rings yesterday, and it's Mr. Watson himself, declaring that he'll be out here late Monday night for meetings on Tuesday. So my response was, so I guess we'll let you rest Monday night then when u arrive for your meetings. To which he says, screw that, rest is for cowards,....we go out Monday evening and then do lunch Tuesday.

What's been going on as of late. Well,...about a week ago went to a restaurant called Hearth. This is a fine establishment and a place where I interned for one night. So upon my arrival, I was greeted by the chef de cuisine and he said should i just make dinner for you. Okie doke. Long story short,...and this is no joke,...he prepared so much,...of the nicest food, and in quantity that i just about burst. Gnocci with lobster,...and I mean big lumps of lobster,...towers, duck, sea bass, oysters....and it just kept coming like a convayer belt. Then dessert, two of them. I limped home, and the next day only ate at 4pm.

Let's see,...Oh,...the famous Peter Lugar's steakhouse was in order. My pal Roman and I went there with my 150 dollar gift cert. which was couriered to my shcool via my parents for my Bday. This place is in Brooklyn and about as old school as old school gets. Major steaks, big desserts,...and again, I limped home, ...really. We decided to walk home, over the Williamsburg Bridge to work off some dinner. Big event. Went through little Italy for the first time actually then lay on my bed like a retired Shamu for the San Diego Aquarium.

Next week, attending the U.S. open for a game,...then the following day the journey home begins.

Ah,...I suppose for the golden years a little tidbit on New York. I came to explore chefdom and I leave knowing a few tricks,...possessing a continued hobby, acknowledging a deep respect for the people that make up the kitchen and so on... The amount of wonderful moments had in this city have been astounding. From NY Rangers game, to Yankees games, to the Beastie Boys in Central Park,...to a random walk through Washington Sqr one summer evening to see a group of people chillin out and singing. Many walks through the city,...along the water, Batter Park,...and Wall St just as the sun goes down and the mystical darkness begins to bless the skyscrapers and tight streets. Dinners.....ahh,..well then. Mangiami,...the hip,...totally funky italian joint on lower east side near Roman's bar, Babbo- Mario Batali's flagship joint that makes absolutely perfect food, Katz's deli which has been around before the movie, 'Gangs of New York'.....oh, and who could forget the insanely upper class, upper eastside,....totally park ave set Bergdorf Goodmans' cafe. I've been I think 4 times now to eat these perfectly symetrical and skinny sandwiches that the richest ladies in the big apple manage to chew on whilst maintaining their makeup/botox. It's actually a cultural experience down in the basement of Bergdorf's chowing down. What else,...the subway rides- that heat underground and the smell of subway air will stay with anyone for life,...not exactly bad nor good,....just unique! Then there was the getting caught in the rain with thunder,....letting go of being caught and just enjoying the rain and getting totally soaked. This was fun. Trips to central park etc etc etc. Oh,...and then the purpose of all this, school! All in all,...and part of the whole ny thing,...and overall growth experience. There have been many boiyant moments, trying moments etc etc. And now, its time to come home. As a fellow traveller said in Brazil once: define home. Hah! Definitely ready to hit it though. Like 100%.

Bunch of pics,....including,....my Russian guy across the street kiddy corner who amused me with his boozing antics, cussing,...and the odd time,....just very rarely just a tad of human kindness. Another photo most amusing is the 'Chinese school for kids' poster advertised in Soho. Notice that every single tab has been torn off. China will be the next Super Power,...it is coming so do what the famous Jim Rogers is doing,...get a chinese nanny (no joke) and get them started as infants! Then a photo,...actually my favorite the day I recently toured the Metropolitan Museum of Art.