Christmastime In The City

Well I just got back from NYC where I attended a work related conference. I always love going to the The City during the holiday season. Everything is always so festive and bustling. I enjoy looking at the holiday storefronts and watching the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center (below).

The crowds can wear me down, but when taken in small doses, I find the experience somewhat invigorating. Since I've been to NYC several times, I don't need to see all of the tourist traps anymore. However, I still always enjoy walking through Central Park. The Park remains beautiful year round even when the flower beds are no longer blooming.
Otherwise I enjoy trying new ethnic restaurants. This year's dining adventures included a Peruvian restaurant (fabulous sea bass with cilantro and pesto), a vegan cafe (braised saiten and vegetable nori rolls), and a middle-eastern restaurant (lamb kabobs). Then there is the usual quick food of NY style pizza, curry chicken and rice from a cart, or a bagel sandwich eaten on the run and somehow always tasting better than what I can get back home.

One good find in Brooklyn would be the homemade ice cream at The Blue Pig (as seen above). This premium ice cream is extra creamy. I had the mexican chocolate which had very spicy habanero peppers in it. I had to cool my palate off with another scoop of decadent butter pecan before I left.

Fortunately there was plenty of walking to offset the caloric intake. I really enjoyed just walking around. The City is well designed for pedestrian travel, and it shows... You will not find very many people who are significantly overweight in NYC. Other cities should learn to encourage more walking through proper planning of new development. It seems to me that most new development actually discourages walking. What a shame.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to all. Love, Joy, and Peace in 2008.