Springtime in New York

So Wifey and I Ubered to MIA on Thursday, and I had a great talk with our driver -- here from Cuba only 6 years and already a master of English. He had studied in Cuba, and we talked politics -- he reiterated why Cubans tend to the right -- they know first hand the horrors of the left. I told him we were headed to NYC where there was a statue of Jose Marti -- he had no idea. He planned to visit.

We had breakfast at Centurion, and then a lovely flight to LGA. LGA truly is an embarrassment -- the airport in Bogota is totally superior -- but they're finally building a new place -- with NYC's corruption and unions, it should be ready in 30 years.

We checked into the Edition, our favorite place near D2 and Jonathan, and walked to their apartment. Jonathan's parents were in town, too, and his sister Eva and her husband Yoni joined us -- the 8 of us crammed into the 500 square foot, Greenwich Village one bedroom.

We walked to an Italian place, and had a lovely dinner. Afterwards we said adios to Eva and Yoni -- but knew we'd see Jonathan's parents the next day.

We did -- met at La Contenta, a great Mexican place across 11th street from D2 and Jonathan. The staff knows them there. Jonathan's Mom Lizbeth asked for music, and a lovely woman serenaded us with Spanish songs, accompanied by a guitar. It was a most romantic lunch.

Jonathan's parents headed up to Midtown for a nap, and we walked to the Hudson -- sat by the river in a lovely park and talked of life.

Later Friday night: more eating! We went to another Italian place in the Village -- an old townhouse with a skylight, and feasted. It had been a banner, wonderful day, and we celebrated both families together -- and talked about the upcoming wedding of D2 and Jonathan -- in January back home in South Beach.

Wifey's friend Sheryl was in town from Boston, and we met her, and her man Mark and NYC son Andrew at the Walker Hotel -- for tea. It was a nice nightcap to a wonderful Friday.

Saturday Wifey slept in -- to nearly 11 am, and we woke and checked out of the hotel. We walked to D2 and Jonathan's street, and met for brunch at a Middle Eastern place. We were joined by D2's dear friend Ali, and her fiance Blake. They're getting married in the Bahamas in June, and shared tales of their upcoming party. D2 and Ali, and two other ladies, Ashley and Catherine, met as freshman at UF, and are still very close friends. 3/4 are now engaged -- all to terrific men, and Ashley, the 4th, has a long term boyfriend, too. She just moved to SF to live with him -- we're thinking she'll complete the circle and marry Kyle, too.

Ali is a child life specialist at Mt. Sinai Children's Hospital, and has a therapy dog, professor, a huge retriever mix who received $20K worth of specialized training in Georgia. Professor sat happily at our table, and then we returned to the apartment, where he took turns calming all of us. The dog is truly amazing -- gentle for such a big guy, with deep, soulful eyes. Unfortunately, he's not going to the Bahamas for the wedding, though Ali and Blake looked into it.

Professor and his parents left, and Wifey fell asleep on the couch. After she woke, we walked back to Madison Square Park, where they have a dog section. D2 and Wifey had a great time watching the parade of breeds. Jonathan and I talked sports and work.

We walked back to the hotel, and waiting there were three more AEPhi girls and their husbands/fiancees. It seems NYC is crawling with young Gators.

It was time to go. We hugged D2 and Jonathan, and were off in a Lyft to LGA. We usually leave NYC Sunday, and learned that Saturday the airport is blissfully empty. It was a pleasure to depart that way.

We arrived home to happy dogs -- my sister of another mister Mirta had house and dog say -- and introduced the pups to her new mini dog --- a 4 pound Morki named Molly. The Special Needs Spaniel and strange rescue dog reported no negatives about Molly. We'll meet her soon.

So I'm now halfway done with my 4 trips -- Chicago and NYC. Still to come: Bay Area, and finally Washington, D.C.

A time to go; a time to stay home. That's the essence of life.