Talkin' Bout New York

So Friday the friendly Uber driver was there right on time,and whisked Wifey and me to MIA, for breakfast at the Centurion Lounge.  From there we took the MiaMover to our gate, and took off right on time. I took a camera shot of Miami as we climbed up and away.

We landed at LGA and cabbed to the City.  This was a trip of great serendipity:  Barry and Donna were in the City to visit Scott, and Eric and Dana had Broadway tickets. So we all agreed to stay at what's become my go-to hotel -- the Edition in the Flatiron District.

As an added bonus, my friend Stuart and his boy Val were also in the City -- their father/son gourmand week, and also a chance to see "Book of Mormon."  So we all met in the Edition bar, and shared martinis and laughter for several great hours.

Wifey and I then Ubered to Midtown, to Tuscany Steakhouse, for the wedding rehearsal dinner. D2 and Jonathan were right behind us -- we had a delightful time with more than 50 Venezuelans who came from all over the country.  The bride, Jonathan's sister Eva, was beaming.  The family's matriarch is Judy, and she spoke beautifully in welcoming us all.  We ate, and drank, and got to know more of Jonathan's family. They made us feel very much a part of their wonderful clan.

Saturday there were no wedding duties, and we walked with Eric and Dana and Barry, Donna, and Scott over to Chelsea. Eric reserved a huge table at a place called Park -- and his sister, brother in law and two nieces came in from New Jersey to meet us. And D2 came, too.  After lunch, the New Jerseyites left for home, and we all walked all around -- including some nice photo ops on the High Line, which we all love.

Eric and Dana had Broadway plans, but Barry, Donna, Scott, Wifey and I met at D2's place for a bit of pre gaming, before we left for a restaurant in the West Village. We were joined by Scott's college buddy, and after dinner we walked D2 home before a leisurely stroll back to the hotel.

Eric and Dana and I met for coffee Sunday am, and then they were off for an old folks visit in Jersey before heading home. Wifey and I rested, and then dressed for the wedding. D2 had ordered an Uber to fetch us at 5, and Dipak showed up promptly, and took us through the Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey -- all the way to Livingston.

We arrived at 6 to a fine cocktail party. The food was the most delicious glatt kosher fare we ever ate, and after an hour we went out back. The wedding was held at the Crystal Plaza, a former Gilded Age mansion now used for events. It was classic and beautiful.

The ceremony was out back, in a garden, and then we all went inside for an hour long hora. The groom, Yoni, comes from a modern orthodox family, and the men and women danced separately. After dinner, most of the "black hats" left, and a great DJ spun salsa and rock and soul songs.

Wifey and Laurens, a suegra of Jonathan's brother Dan, bonded, and the staff brought them their own bottle of champagne, which they shared with Jonathan's cousin Marilyn.

Everyone danced a lot.  It was a lovely affair, and after midnight, a bus took us to Penn Station for a quick Uber to the hotel.

Sunday we slept in. I hoped to see Barry and Donna off, but they had an early flight and left the hotel before I emerged for coffee.  D2 walked over, and we chatted happily with our girl about her man's wonderful family.

We then crossed the street to Eatily, the Italian market, and had a nice farewell lunch.  We hugged our girl, and off we went -- back to LGA and an easy return trip.

So it was a lovely trip to my ancestral home -- now the site of my D2's extended sabbatical.  I know we'll get our tropical girl and her tropical man back here someday -- but for now it's a nice place for us to visit.