"It's like Mecca.."

So, today Sam had to go into work, which left me in NYC on my own, well that was until I arranged to meet Nina.
I havent Known Nina as long as I have known Sam but she is a very good friend. We were to meet in Grand Central station at 10am, by the big clock. Apparently it is traditional to meet people here. Grand Central is an amazing train station, i was admiring the architecture when this strange lady showed up and just gave me a hug. It took me a couple of seconds to place, seeing as I had only ever seen Nina like, once before on Cam, that I can remember. So I was pleasantly surprised by the hug. I also secretly hoped that I was right else, if not, this strange woman was getting a good hug from a stranger, but as it turned out....

It was awesome to finally meet Nina, we were originally intending to spend thanksgiving with her but, seeing as those plans were made a year ago, things changed for one reason or another, so I had really hoped we had gotten to at least meet.

We decided to go get some coffee in Grand Central's coffee house just outside GCS. Where upon we had a great chat about my time in NY and I gave Nina her gifts, a panda puppet because she love pandas and some Dino related items for her son.

We had planned out day out a few days previously and our first stop would be the Museum of Sex, well, just because its there right? It meant a trip to the other side of town, which meant either an expensive cab right or, which was new to me, a subway ride. The subways are an experience, although much like the london underground, not much to tell there, truth be told.

The Museum had a bar! It served cocktails and, well we just wanted a taste but I ended up having two. The Museum its self wasnt bad, quite informative and we did have a chuckle on the way round, saw some rather interesting items on display...

These are ballet boots! Um although not sure exactly HOW one dances in such boots. I just thought they were pretty *chuckles* Moving along..!

I am not gonna say much about this next photo except, apparently they DO breed.... occasionaly, with a little visual aids.

Lets leave this part of our day now shall we?

Next, we headed to Senandipidy, however we thought we would get a pizza in a restaurant and just get a chocolate in Senandipidy. We wanted the trade mark Frozzzen hot chocolate but on reading the menu, i wanted this....

Yes that is a very expensive Sundae.  However i doubted Nina would lend me enough money for that and besides, i hadnt reserved 48 hours in advance so, what am i to do? We ordered two trademarked hot chocolates and some pie. These shortly arrived!

Yeh, needless to say, we never managed to get through eating all that. I nearly died through chocolate overdose! They were delicious though.
We were intending to go for a pony cart ride around central park, yes i know, sounds like a romantic day in NY huh? however the powers that be had other ideas and rained on us, so we decided not to take the pony ride and try to get back to the hotel.
However, like a dumbass and perhaps in my excitement of the morning, I forgot to make a note of our hotel's address, so we ended up at the wrong one.
We eventually made it back to our hotel, where Nina met Sam. After a wonderfully entertaining chat we headed off to a bar, we found a place called Tobacco road. It was close and we entered only to find the barmaids in Bikinis! So... not such a bad place after all.. *laughs*

After a few drinks, Nina had to go catch her train and get ready for work in the morrow.  I tried to persuade her to stay out a little longer but i feel, no matter how long she had decided to stay, I would of still asked for more. I was sorry to see her go, I set her off in a Taxi and was very sad to watch it drive away. I was pleased to have met her, I wish we had longer and I hope, one day, we can meet again. She is a wonderful woman.

A little sad, Sam decided i needed cheering up, so we took a Cab to a club called 'Sapphire', an expensive club where apparently your not allowed to take pictures... Im saying no more, except i was smiling when I came out!

It was past midnight and we fancied one last drink and a little snack. While wandering back to the hotel we came across The Albert Hall Tavern. It was a great little English styled town bar. Sam was impressed at my skills in finding such a wonderfull place which had great food. I told her it was easy, these types of pubs with the Union Jack flying outside are like our Mecca, you cant really go wrong and we some how seem drawn to them.

Just to make it even more homely, there was a lady there who was from Hampshire, UK. Turns out, she was from Winchester! Just a few miles away from Southampton. Small world and a slice of home.

We left to go to bed after that, I was tired and very happy. It was a great day. Also on this day, It is my Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary.  I would like to put a little note here to say thankyou to you both. If it wasnt for you both, helping me and keeping my mind on track, I dont think I would of actually made it here. So thankyou, you both mean the world to me and I wish you many more happy years together.

I was challenged with finding a nice photo of me for your anniversary for display in your picture frame at home, so . hows this?