Mornings in the City

Few things are as satisfying as managing to roll your tired body out of bed early in the morning to watch the city wake up. Amy is visiting this week, and among many other amusements, we got up at 6am today to have breakfast at Balthazar with Colin before heading off to work (or sightseeing, respectively). Giant bowls of latte, French toast with bacon, eggs Florentine and the world's best waffles with berry sauce surely put a spring in your step - especially if it is topped off with laughter and a sunny day in the Village.

Other activities of the week included

• brunch at Robin des Bois, a funky little antique-store-gone-breakfast-joint in Brooklyn, followed by a walk through the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and a quick stopover at the B'klyn Museum
• long, cozy hours in front of the fireplace at the Skypad (Colin and Bill's apartment), drinking tea and wine, snacking away on crackers, watching movies and listing to arias on top volume with the lights turned down
• a high-quality conversation with dad during a quick lunch break over an Amish Market sandwich. There's nothing like a reality check with your parents to help get your thoughts organized.
• a spectacular three-course home-cooked dinner with the world's best babaganough from Sahadi's and some tasty wines
• massive amounts of dark and light ale at McSorley's Old Ale House, New York City's oldest bar with the boys, Amy and Papi and watching the State of the Union address in the company of Lower-Manhattan Bush haters
• a tour of Cooper Union by Sascha
• a Brussels reunion with Phil and Jeff tonight - of course, we will go play pool, ghetto-style. Just like old times at our Chaussee de Wavre intern flat.

Amy and Papi take off tomorrow - it's been great to have them around! One thing I've realized, though, amongst all the fun of having visitors: I am blessed with a group of great friends right here in New York, and they are really making every minute of my stay worth while.

[For those who are impatiently awaiting photos: I hope to finally upload them on the weekend!]