greater things

NYC - Day 4

We attended mass at the Cathedral of St. Patrick on 5th. The cathedral and the traveling Irish choir were breathtaking. We were hoping to meet my friend Janet again here, but there were just so many people! After mass she waited outside for us and we waited inside for her ... oops.

After church, we decided a Sunday brunch would be the best time to try New Leaf Cafe, which came highly recommended. So we made the trek up to Washington Heights, and speaking of heights, we particularly loved all of the hills in this neighborhood. I wish Chicago had hills!

A friend told Jake that he must try Mr. Softee, and only Mr. Softee, for a mobile ice cream cone experience. He had been on the lookout nonstop for a Mr. Softee, we saw plenty of impostors. Finally, from the top of a hill, there he dawned, Mr. Softee. Even though we were on our way to brunch, Jake had a cone right there. I had one on our way out, it did not disappoint.

Brunch was delicious! After eating, we spent a long while walking around Fort Tryon park, in which the cafe was nestled. Do you know how much I love trees? Because this park was like magic!

Since we were in the hood anyway, we visited the George Washington Bridge, one "Key to the City" scavenger hunt site.

Then we went all the way back down to Broadway and 23rd to visit an Argo Tea. It was rather trippy to see something so Chicago in New York. The cafe even had the same furniture. Argo's owner just so happened to stop by during our visit. He asked, "Didn't you move to Mexico?" Then he tried to convince Jake and I to move to New York and become baristas.

It was a leisurely morning/afternoon, followed by a trip to Greenpoint Brooklyn (so hipster but with a vacant look, it reminded me of Logan Square in Chicago.) Jake's cousin Syd played a show at a fest in Brooklyn. This is a picture of Jake and his cousin Amy who I admire so much! Not to brag, but she is kind of famous ... and the rest are pictures from the show. It was a lot of fun to visit a music scene across the country. The kids looks a lot like the kids we see in Chicago. And the band was awesome!