As we climbed the stairs (no functioning elevator despite the year being 2017), a train came, so we sprinted up to the platform to catch it... because you never know if the next one might be 15-minutes late. It was a good thing that I wore sneakers!
Sensing that the energy/aura of my journey was bleak, I decided to return home. It seemed a better use of my personal time than resolutely (stubbornly) sitting in a subway for 20-30 minutes.
Getting aboard, I heard an overhead announcement that all city-bound trains were delayed indefinitely. I was so happy to have chosen an Astoria-bound train (and listened to my "inner voice").
I swiftly returned to where I started. Exiting the subway, I sauntered along the sunny sidewalk. Pausing at my favorite bagel shop, Lots O Bagels, their blueberry cream-cheese beckoned!
With my breakfast in hand, I strolled toward the riverside park. Passing home, I picked up my latest adventure novel.
Hydrangea bushes bloomed...
...and hanging flowers adorned the area overhead!
Butterflies fluttered, orange-breasted robins hopped along the grass, honey bees buzzed...
...urban students learned about fish/wildlife at the beach...
...and I perched upon a bench to savor the cool breeze!
If Lewis had been around, I might've suggested us taking advantage of a quiet moment amidst the secret path!
Walking homeward, I varied my route and stumbled upon a new restaurant that recently opened!
It was gay-friendly, too! (as indicated by its Pride flag sticker)
The menu looked flavorful, and it had a long 3pm-8pm Happy Hour (including $6 Sangria)!
Suddenly, I received a lunch invitation from my colleague and friend, Simón. He's a Spaniard with Chinese heritage.
He's also an Astorian, living for nearly a year on Steinway Street in Astoria. Fortunately, I was available (because I rejected the stalled subway)! He asked me to take him to the tea shop I've been raving about: Tea Plus Café.
We met at 11 o'clock, and he was flabbergasted by their amazing selection of uniquely-blended flavors. He admired how handsomely the Fujianese owners decorated their shop, creating such a comforting mood.
In lieu of the front seating area...
...we looked for seats in the rear.
That was full of people using electronic devices. Simón remarked that he missed the cafés in Spain, where people focused less on their devices and more on friendly conversation. I agree; Lewis and I prefer European cafés.
Since it was such a nice day, we sat in the rear garden, which we had all to ourselves.
From there, I escorted Simón to my favorite bakery (which I rave about to everyone). Most bakeries are only good for certain things. For example, Parisi Bakery makes great bread and cannnoli... but nothing else is worthwhile. Il Fornaio Bakery makes great pastry, but their cakes & breads are mediocre. However, Leli's Bakery makes EVERYTHING great. It's astonishing.
Everything that the baker/owner touches is delicious: black & white cookies, rugelach,
anise/fig rings, biscotti, carrot cake, loaves of bread,
Russian cake,
powdered Kourabiedes, and buttery jam-cookies!
Simón was so enamored with the bakery that he asked if we could order and sit inside to eat. I was happy to.
Even though his athletic frame isn't afraid of calories, he preferred something savory, instead of sweet. The bakery serves quiche, meat pies, potato/pea pastries, and minced ham/cheese puffs. Simón chose a puff and pie.
Other patrons filled the tables alongside us, as more filed through the door for buy-and-go orders.
"What a lovely place!" Simón complimented, "I never walked to this part of Astoria during my whole year here. Thank you for showing me something new that is so close to my home!"
It was my pleasure to show him more things; an eager explorer enthuses my heart. I led him westward on 30th Avenue, pointing out all the good eateries--many with summertime sidewalk seating: a crêperie, a pub, a Creole restaurant, a particularly-good brunch spot, and of course Astoria Coffee!
During the next hour, Simón admired the varied architecture, as we strolled down the side streets.
Ironically, he knew some of that area because he rides his motorcycle through it. At 2pm, he was due to call some relatives in his native kingdom, so I considerately finished our walk at a luncheon place in his vicinity.
District Saigon is a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant, and we lunched there.
I let Simón order our food from the menu, since it was his first visit. He selected Mango spring rolls...
...a Banh-mi of smoked brisket and pickled veggies, and Curry Chicken with coconut milk. Delicious!
The way to say "Cheers" in Vietnamese is Hoan hô! In Spanish, it's Salud!
I saw a former barista, Michael, who still savors his coffee there. I asked if I could share his table, and he cheerfully agreed. While chatting, I mentioned that I'm nearing completion of the novel that I'm writing. (Details coming soon). He agreed to proofread it, before my iAuthor / iPublishing. I was thankful that such a smart guy was interested in reading my "period piece" comedy/mystery. If I hadn't entered the shop just then, I would've missed him, because he left 15 minutes later!
Walking home, I thankfully appreciated how nice the day developed... all because I was flexible to adjust my agenda and I was "in tune" to notice the "change in vibration" of my day.
Reaching home, I saw another blessing. Me being gone all day saved me from having to hear the road construction outside my building--and smell the asphalt. The crews were gone, leaving the street quiet again.
Even though they are considered to be a "staple" of American breakfasts, bagels were invented in the Jewish community of Krakow--just after the Renaissance--in 1610. From 1038 to 1569, Kraków was the capital of the Kingdom of Poland. This is the city's coat of arms.
At the turn-of-the-century, Polish Jews brought the recipes (and Yiddish sarcasm) to Manhattan, where scrumptious bagel shops distributed them across the nation. Since the USA oversizes everything, its bagels are 3x larger than European ones. Since the USA is pro-"artificial processing", I strive to find ones that are freshly boiled-and-baked without bleached/fortified/processed ingredients. A "New York-style" bagel includes malt and is fermented for several days to enhance its crust. That's the type that I bought!
Suddenly, I received a lunch invitation from my colleague and friend, Simón. He's a Spaniard with Chinese heritage.
We perused their chilled drink menu...
... but I was content with one of their loose teas brewed and served over shaved ice.
Since it was such a nice day, we sat in the rear garden, which we had all to ourselves.
We talked about the neighborhood, and he admitted that he didn't know much of it. He often drove out of it on his speedy BMW motorcycle, and he rarely explored by foot. He asked me to be an unofficial tour guide, which I was delighted to do. I joked that there was an American game called "Simon Says", where Simon is the leader... but our day would involve Simon being the follower. Ha ha!
It was my pleasure to show him more things; an eager explorer enthuses my heart. I led him westward on 30th Avenue, pointing out all the good eateries--many with summertime sidewalk seating: a crêperie, a pub, a Creole restaurant, a particularly-good brunch spot, and of course Astoria Coffee!
During the next hour, Simón admired the varied architecture, as we strolled down the side streets.
...a Banh-mi of smoked brisket and pickled veggies, and Curry Chicken with coconut milk. Delicious!
While we lunched, he expressed his thanks because this was the second Walking Tour that I gave him--full of sightseeing, food, and witty chatter. He loved it! *To see the type that I initially gave him, please use this link: https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2015/06/walking-tour-streets-food-architecture.html
I made sure that he was home in time to have his video-chat with his relatives. To soothly digest my big lunch, I visited Astoria Coffee. I ordered an espresso shot, but my friend/barista, Don, gave me a double, as a gift.
I saw a former barista, Michael, who still savors his coffee there. I asked if I could share his table, and he cheerfully agreed. While chatting, I mentioned that I'm nearing completion of the novel that I'm writing. (Details coming soon). He agreed to proofread it, before my iAuthor / iPublishing. I was thankful that such a smart guy was interested in reading my "period piece" comedy/mystery. If I hadn't entered the shop just then, I would've missed him, because he left 15 minutes later!
Walking home, I thankfully appreciated how nice the day developed... all because I was flexible to adjust my agenda and I was "in tune" to notice the "change in vibration" of my day.
Reaching home, I saw another blessing. Me being gone all day saved me from having to hear the road construction outside my building--and smell the asphalt. The crews were gone, leaving the street quiet again.
I hope this tale encourages you to "go with the flow" more often.
