We knew that the workers would be in the apartment today so we decided to drop in to make sure they knew we were interested and then go explore the environs. We agreed to pick Claire up when she was ready and then we could drive around.
So we got out of the hotel at about 10:00 headed over to the apartment and the first good news was that the New York Times had been delivered. The guys were there working hard so we decided to leave them to it. Nothing worse than standing around feeling useless...
So out to the car and off on our drive. Lots and lots of interesting places, lots of interesting sites and sights. Everything is new and interesting - I hope it stays that way.
The most interesting part of this morning was discovering that one of the major Hasidic Jewish communities in the US is in South Williamsburg. It was an incredible site with thousands of Hasidic Jews dressed for the Sabbath walking around the streets. Completely new to me.
So, we drove around a bit more, discovered that North 4th St is not connected (and is not really close) to South 4th St. Good to know.
Anyway Claire calls at about 12:00 and we agree to pick her up at about 12:15. Pick up complete and we head off to Redhook to see a supermarket that has been recommended to us. It is about 7 miles away, which in the new world seems a long way - in the old world (Newton) didn't even merit a second thought.
Rhoda (our GPS system) found our destination easily and it looked from the outside like a large farm stand. Well when we got inside it was more like a HUMONGOUS farm stand that had landed on a Super Stop and Shop. It was quite daunting in its size and the fact that it had everything (and I think I mean everything :-)) food and household item related.
So we wandered around for a while and Claire did her shopping and we decided to have lunch there. We choose our food - a hot dog for Peg, a mozzarella/tomato sandwich for Claire and a Ba-da-bing (Italian sandwich) for me. You may wonder why I am telling you this and the reason is that when we sat down to eat (in the tented & heated outdoor area) we looked up and who was looking back at us but the Statue of Liberty. Again I expect we will get used to it, the view was breathtaking (and quite unexpected)
The supermarket is also near the Ikea - but fortunately for me, they didn't make me go there.
So, back to Williamsburg drop Claire off, she has a date with Seth tonight, and it is back to the hotel for a nap.All this novelty is exhausting.
Dinner tonight - Spike Hill - burger for me and BLTA (avocado) for Peg - i wish i has had the pot pie. Cricket on the TV - i think i have found my home for English sport. When is the next World Cup?
Back to the Hotel Le Jolie - the end of another day - moving in tomorrow come what may.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Day 2 - Move-in day - yeah right!!
Breakfast was good and the day went downhill from there.
So we arrive at the apartment with great excitement, the truck with all of our possessions is on the road and is expected at about 10:00.
It seems very busy at the bottom of the stairs and when we go to the top it is because the apartment is, shall we say, not quite ready.
After much discussion the landlord agrees to another 2 nights in the hotel on him and the realtor who is on vacation will be pleased to hear that it is nowhere near ready when he returns on Sunday evening.
So the main problem is the floor - hasn't been varnished. So where are we going to put all of our boxes? Again after much discussion we decide to put the boxes in 2 of the rooms and they will do the floors where they can, move the boxes then do the rest of the place.
The good news is that the weather is good - the threatened rain is holding off . So when the unloading starts my job is to sit and watch the truck to make sure no one steals anything. The good news is that I think I got a slight tan.
Not much else happened - 12,000 lbs of stuff is unloaded and stuffed into every corner of the three rooms and the entrance way and the workers are swarming around the place, electricians, plumbers, painters and the cable guy. So we have no kitchen, no bathroom, no bedroom but we do have 250+ cable channels and a high speed internet connection.
Daughter Claire comes round after work and we went to the pizza shop in the 'hood voted best NYC pizza in 2007 - was very good.
OK - back to the hotel and fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow.
So we arrive at the apartment with great excitement, the truck with all of our possessions is on the road and is expected at about 10:00.
It seems very busy at the bottom of the stairs and when we go to the top it is because the apartment is, shall we say, not quite ready.
After much discussion the landlord agrees to another 2 nights in the hotel on him and the realtor who is on vacation will be pleased to hear that it is nowhere near ready when he returns on Sunday evening.
So the main problem is the floor - hasn't been varnished. So where are we going to put all of our boxes? Again after much discussion we decide to put the boxes in 2 of the rooms and they will do the floors where they can, move the boxes then do the rest of the place.
The good news is that the weather is good - the threatened rain is holding off . So when the unloading starts my job is to sit and watch the truck to make sure no one steals anything. The good news is that I think I got a slight tan.
Not much else happened - 12,000 lbs of stuff is unloaded and stuffed into every corner of the three rooms and the entrance way and the workers are swarming around the place, electricians, plumbers, painters and the cable guy. So we have no kitchen, no bathroom, no bedroom but we do have 250+ cable channels and a high speed internet connection.
Daughter Claire comes round after work and we went to the pizza shop in the 'hood voted best NYC pizza in 2007 - was very good.
OK - back to the hotel and fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Day1 - leaving Boston
Well the day has finally arrived. The house is mostly packed. Jodie and Louie (the movers) are moving the boxes to the truck. 15 Suban Place is getting more and more empty.
OK it is now 3:30 and we decide that it is time to hit the road. The movers are still moving but have given us permission to leave.
We head west on Rt 9 for the last time as Massachusetts residents, looking forward to a nice smooth drive and guess what - traffic is at a standstill on Rt 128. We wait about 40 minutes to travel about 1 1/2 miles and see a gas tanker and a smooshed car, surrounded by emergency vehicles and Mass Highway trucks.
I will take this as a good sign that life in Massachusetts is at a standstill and the move to NYC will free up many things.
Anyway the rest of the journey is fast and uneventful. Get to the hotel, check in - time for dinner.
Drive to the new appartment, lights are blazing people are in there working - hmm, either a very good or a very bad sign. Tomorrow will tell.
Anyway we make our way to Bedford Ave (the hub of our new hood) and look at all the restaurant choices. OK Japanese it is.
Great meal, inexpensive too. Back to hotel, Claire comes round to see us. Everything is good. Off to sleep and to see what tomorrow holds in store.
Exciting isn't it ?!?
OK it is now 3:30 and we decide that it is time to hit the road. The movers are still moving but have given us permission to leave.
We head west on Rt 9 for the last time as Massachusetts residents, looking forward to a nice smooth drive and guess what - traffic is at a standstill on Rt 128. We wait about 40 minutes to travel about 1 1/2 miles and see a gas tanker and a smooshed car, surrounded by emergency vehicles and Mass Highway trucks.
I will take this as a good sign that life in Massachusetts is at a standstill and the move to NYC will free up many things.
Anyway the rest of the journey is fast and uneventful. Get to the hotel, check in - time for dinner.
Drive to the new appartment, lights are blazing people are in there working - hmm, either a very good or a very bad sign. Tomorrow will tell.
Anyway we make our way to Bedford Ave (the hub of our new hood) and look at all the restaurant choices. OK Japanese it is.
Great meal, inexpensive too. Back to hotel, Claire comes round to see us. Everything is good. Off to sleep and to see what tomorrow holds in store.
Exciting isn't it ?!?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
