You know You're in New York..................

When the way to help keep your bar busy even after the smoking ban, is to hold naked painting parties. Much more original than a perspex bush shelter by the back door, don't you think?............Crisp anyone?

You Know You're in New York...........

when you can buy a bra made out of memory foam.

Mad Dogs and the Chinese in the Mid-day Sun

My first trip of exploration yesterday and it wasn't as long as they usually are, given that it was a very sticky 92 degrees by 2.30pm. That kind of heat kind of dampens my adventurers spirit, saps energy and makes the casing of the camera burn your hand. However being no sort of namby pamby woos, I lasted for a about 4 hours but have to say the air-conditioned bus ride home was the second best moment of the day. The best was a visit to the Mahayana Buddhist Temple on Canal Street. It has a simple yet imposing facade, guarded by two large lions, but the the splendours of the inside are perhaps missed by those who don´t venture through the ample doors. Once in side there are two shrines, one to Budda, the second to Quan Yin. Local people prayed while the odd tourist walked quietly round. I was politely requested not to use a flash if I wanted to take a picture and happily agree and waited until the more faithful than I had finished praying.

Once out of the temple there were several attempted accostments - "handbag, handbag, you want handbag", "watches, handbags, I take you somewhere nice" (aye aye, my mother told me about this kind of thing, show me some puppies or nick my wallet - and anyway do i look like a handbag sort of girl?

Pressing on to the buisness end of the trip for fish and vegetables, the choice is overwhelming, as is the smell. The salad and vegetables are organised quickly and efficiently, the fish, well.............. Why is it when someone who speaks another language can´t be understood, they think its a good idea to shout very loud, as it's obviously a deafness/stupidity problem rather than a language barrier. Suffice to say the interesting looking fish I decided to buy was being sold by a chinese woman who would have given a 200 watt Marshall amplifier a run for it's money, and having deafened me then actually pushed me towards the till. -Never argue with a fish-wife, my granny whispered in my ear, especially one that might know karate or belong to the Triads.

Tiny Clanger meets Fat Cat

Today after all of yesterdays excitement and emotions things are calmer for now. I'm off to Chinatown with Alba and Andy shortly to see what we can find in the way of delights for the 'last supper' tonight. Meanwhile Tiny has been making a new friend with 'Fat Cat' New York's most chilled and friendly adopted stray. She was supposed to have issues, but then having been abandoned in the snow, and then adopted and kept in a cage, who wouldn´t. She's settled nicely into East 34th St and enjoys the odd wander onto the terrace for a spot of sunbathing, followed by a nap in the shade. She's on a reduced calorie plan from the vet and has lost 3lbs so far.

Family Picture of Graduation Day

Left to right: Alba, Max, Gillian, Gail, Amanda.

Amanda's Graduates from UN International School

An exciting and emotional day for Amanda and her mum yesterday, as Amanda graduated from High School. The Ceremony, a mix of 'High School Reunion' meets 'Glee' meets 'Miss America' took place in the General Assembly of the United Nations - Just think our family bottoms could have been sitting where Tony Blair once sat, or the third under secretary of Outer Mongolia.

The theatrical performance started with of all things 'Pomp and Circumstance' played slightly less than masterfully by the school ensemble, as the graduates paraded into the arena pageant entries, all one hundred and sixty odd of them. The recent school scandal of the Director re-emerged when it was announced he could not attend - did he jump or was he pushed?, following revelations in the local press of an extra marital affair with another member of staff. Obviously not the kind of international relations the Principal had in mind when she described the school ethos.

Mandy looked beautiful in her 'Mum' created dress - definitely the bell of the ball - aunty says so.

Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate, at 'Chipotle', Amanda's choice of restaurant, a kind of Mexican Fast food joint. Her choice because it was her graduation and she's is leaving New York for summer school Germany and France on Friday, and will then be going to the UK to go to University , so it's been as much a rite of passage as a graduation.

Good luck Mandy, have a great summer and see you when you arrive in the UK.

The Eagle has landed

Having arrived at the appropriate gate at Heathrow, I was kind of wondering if the fact that the multi-faith prayer centre was next to it was some sort of divine message about my impending flight? However I decided to forgo the opportunity to pray, in favour of getting Tiny Clanger to calm down and stop whooping and whistling in my backpack - a fairly risk laiden pastime in security conscious Heathrow.


Well arrived here comparatively intact, taking into account the crap coffee, numerous security checks, babies attempting to set a new Atlantic crossing crying record, the Russian whinging woman, the air hostesses with all the refined people skills of Hannibal Lecter and an air conditioning system that reduced me to wearing two blankets. But they that´s the price you pay to travel, twelve and a half hours of confinement in an airborne sardine can.

Arriving on Lexington Ave the temp is a fairly uncomfortable and very humid 82. On making my way to East 34th St, the alternative family home, I see Max my nephew approaching - he's been sent by my lovely sister to see if I need collecting from the bus stop. Senior moments, me? Haha.