Monday, September 10, 2012

Bagels, Chocolate, and Bacon Cheeseburgers

I arrived in New York Thursday night to spend a week with the Dowager Duchess. I flew Iberia for the first time and had read and heard so many awful things about the airline that I expected the worst. It paid off. It was the most pleasant trip I've had between the States and Spain. The flights — Sevilla to Madrid to New York — were on time, no more or less uncomfortable than any other airline (which isn't saying much), the crews were great, and even the food was good. I'm hoping I'll have the same to say when I fly home this Friday.

THE VIEW FROM OUTSIDE THE PLANE AS WE LANDED IN NEW YORK.
(IT WAS A BIT WINDY, BUT I DON'T HAVE MUCH HAIR TO GET MUSSED.)

Like me, My-Mother-The-Dowager-Duchess does not cook. Unlike me, The Dowager Duchess did at one time (for years) cook very well and still knows how to do it. She also baked every week. I've checked the several cookie jars that were always well-stocked in the kitchen. Not anymore. Whenever San Geraldo and I visit, he cooks or we go out. With San Geraldo remaining behind in Spain, we are, as they say, "up a creek without a paddle" (or, as San Geraldo the South Dakotan would say, "up a crick without a paddle").

THE DOWAGER DUCHESS KNOWS HOW TO MAKE ME HAPPY.
FRESH BAGELS, CHOCOLATE, AND FLOWERS TO WELCOME ME HOME.

We've hit two Brooklyn diners (with individual servings that would feed a family of four). Saturday, The Kid Brother and I walked over to Nathan's in Coney Island so I could get my fix of hot dogs and the absolute best French fries around. He didn't complain. I used to eat seven hot dogs at a sitting. I now eat two (and usually wish I hadn't). So, I guess I'll never be in the running for Nathan's annual hot dog eating contest. (I'd need to eat 69 hot dogs to break the record.) 

COLE SLAW AND A HALF-SOUR PICKLE AT PARKVIEW DINER.

Saturday, before we went to Nathan's, we watched from my mother's windows as a storm swept in off the ocean. Powerful wind, rain, and darkness. It was awesome, but passed quickly. We didn't know that a short time later, after the storm had passed through, two tornadoes (a very strange occurence in New York City) touched down not many miles away. One could actually be seen easily from the Boardwalk where we strolled a few minutes later.


MY DELUXE HAMBURGER LUNCH FRIDAY AT PARKVIEW. I DIDN'T EAT DINNER.

I've fallen behind on blogging and reading and hope to catch up while I'm here, but it's not likely. The Dowager Duchess and The Kid Brother have been keeping me busy. He came over again early this (Sunday) morning. He lives about 20 minutes away in an independent-living group home with two other guys a lot like him (although not nearly as neat and organized). He's much more stable than his older brother. He's had the same job for more than 25 years (the longest I ever stayed in a job was 5 years, second longest, 3-1/2). He's lived in only two apartments in the past 24 years (I think I've lived in 15). I could take a lesson from him... but I won't. His apartment is 20 minutes away by bus or subway from my mother's apartment. An hour round-trip by car when I drive him home! Ah, the joys of traffic lights and driving in New York! And kid brothers who like to have a chauffeur! He's not working Wednesday, so will come over again bright and early. I have some more pictures of our day in Coney Island and of him back-seat driving today. I promised him I'd post that picture and caption it "BACKSEAT DRIVER." He promised me I'd pay for it one of these days.

UNSMILING KID BROTHER WITH HOT DOGS AND FRIES (AFTER HE MUTTERED, "GET ON WITH IT.")
SOMETIMES HE HAS AS LITTLE PATIENCE FOR MY CAMERA AS DOES SAN GERALDO.

AFTER LEAVING NATHAN'S AND HEADING FOR THE BOARDWALK.
THE ANNUAL HOT DOG EATING CONTEST COUNTDOWN.

We three had a good (exhausting) shopping and lunching day together. Tomorrow, The Duchess and I will drive to New Jersey (about two hours, almost to Philadelphia) to have lunch with Aunt Matilda. I wrote about visiting her once before (Part 1 followed by Part 2). That was when she still lived on Long Island and we got lost in the wilds of suburbia. This time, Google Maps will be providing the directions.

By the way, I really miss San Geraldo! And so do The Dowager Duchess and The Kid Brother.

31 comments:

  1. I know you miss San Geraldo, but Im sure being home is a treat...enjoy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monkey Man:
      It was rough being separated for a week. But, you're right the visit with my mother was a treat. Great to now be home.

      Delete
  2. I do hope you enjoy your visit :) Going to south Jersey, eh? Cherry Hill or thereabouts, by chance? :) We lived there for a few years.

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    Replies
    1. Judeet:
      Cherry Hill it was! And a pleasant drive -- except for when I headed north instead of south on the Jersey Turnpike! Over the years, I've gotten so used to the ocean being on my left!

      Delete
  3. I hope you have a good trip visiting with your family. I know you'll end up with some great stories.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love your NYC posts and look forward to more, with photos! Enjoy your stay.

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    Replies
    1. Walt the Fourth:
      Hope you're still enjoying them. Tomorrow, I start catching up on your posts I've missed!

      Delete
  5. Hello Mitch:
    Well it really does seem to be one meal after another, punctuated with driving or walking to the next!! We wonder how many, in total, hot dogs you have consumed to date on this visit?!

    But, seriously, we are so pleased to know that all is well with you and everyone in New York and we wish you an equally safe and pleasant flight home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane and Lance:
      I was tempted to go back to Nathan's a couple of times, but my brother doesn't like to repeat meals too often! As you probably know by now, the week was wonderful and I'm home safely and happily in Sevilla. Lots more to come.

      Delete
  6. Looks like you're having a great toime. How many Noo Yoik accents have you been able to brush up on?

    The manner of your arrival in Noo Yoik was no less than expected - I trust that you landed in the style of Mary Poppins, thus avoiding customs?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Owl Wood:
      US Customs thought I had an honest face and let me through without trouble. As for the accents... I had a really difficult time understanding people. In restaurants, I would be asked questions and my mother would sometimes answer for me. I thought they were speaking oddly and she said they spoke perfectly clearly.

      Delete
  7. It looks to me you're having a swell time. And I know those complains, my kid brother says them too. And when we're going places he always forgets his wallet [sounds familiar?].

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    Replies
    1. Peter:
      Oh, yes, Wednesday we went out clothes shopping and my brother picked up some things he wanted. When we got to the counter and he didn't reach for his wallet, I asked him if he had any money and he said, "You can take care of it." Nice!

      Delete
  8. Glad your flight went well... And, isn't it a great time to be in NY? Hope you have a good visit with family and friends... enjoy it all!

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    Replies
    1. The Odd Essay:
      It was a truly wonderful week. And the weather was perfect almost the entire time.

      Delete
  9. I just finished my cereal with soy milk and agave and you show me a bacon-cheeseburger that i would kill my best friend to get my hands on?


    Bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well, comparing the foods you showed on the pre-NY post with those on this post, I guess I'm a real lover of American high-cal, greasy over-kill foods! I've never had a Nathan's hotdog, however. Glad you're having a good time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. Sparrow:
      Nathan's hot dogs and their amazing french fries, as far as I and my family and friends are concerned, are only good at the Original Nathan's on Surf Avenue in Coney Island. (I think it's something to do with the sea air!)

      Interestingly, I prefer the food here in Spain.

      Delete
  11. So glad you are having happy times with your NYC family, and so wish I were at Nathan's! Loved the links to other visits.

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    Replies
    1. Kristi:
      I begin to fantasize about Nathan's the moment I start planning a trip to NYC.

      Delete
  12. This, after those marvelous tapas you shared with us last evening? You're in New York, I'm sure you can do better. There's got be be at least some great deli food around. Hope you enjoy your visit with family in NYC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Frank:
      I was dying to get to a local deli (pastrami and a potato knish, please), but never got the chance. Too much salt in the good stuff for the Duchess's healthy diet, and there just weren't enough days in the week anyway. Next time.

      Delete
  13. I suspect your post is to ensure that San Geraldo knows you are getting enough to eat!! HAHA! Have a wonderful wonderful visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenners:
      I had forgotten how enormous the servings are in NY diners. Obscene. But without San Geraldo to cook for us, we had to go out for most meals (or eat restaurant leftovers).

      Delete
  14. So they made you sit on the tail of the plane, huh? LOL! At least it wasn't a middle seat. Lots of fresh air - and what a view!

    Sounds like you are making the most of your time in NYC. It's great to see family and remember good old times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo:
      And so much leg room!

      It really was a very good visit. Hard to leave and hard to be away from Jerry!

      Delete
  15. I'm catching up here.....we've been away.
    So the storm you watched there made it up here and we traveled through some of it, safely. Tornadoes in NYC?! That just doesn't sound right!
    Kid Brother was glad to have you around I bet, Mitch. He may not show it in that pic but he knows a 'good thing' when he sees it!
    Nathan's....would love to have one of those hot dogs....maybe two! Oh and I'll have Ron's two too! He can't eat theses things.
    Welcome back to Spain....now back to NYC for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim:
      I'm too full from dinner and dessert right now to consider a hot dog. But tomorrow I'll be fantasizing about them all over again... and especially "Nathan's World-Famous Original French Fries"! You're heading to NYC?

      Delete
    2. Only here in your blog world. I started reading this post first.
      But a NYC trip would be good......

      Delete

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