Into the Belly of the Beast II

[mortonfox]

Went into Manhattan again this afternoon. This time, it was to pick up my new passport. I drove in the same way down the East side and used the same parking garage. Along the way, however, I noticed that the other side of Harlem Drive was a parking lot, so I had to think of another way to go back.

When I got there, it was lunchtime just before 2pm. So I had street meat. This time, I got the lamb on rice from the same street vendor, near the corner of 43rd St. and 2nd Ave., as the last time. And once again, it was quite good. If I could have that kind of food every time, I could almost tolerate traveling into Manhattan.

The consulate didn't open until 2:30pm even though passport pickup time began at 2pm. I guess they were running on third world government time. At 2:30pm, the two clerks arrived at the front door, only to discover that they were themselves locked out. *forehead smack* So they had to go around and use the back door. Once I got in though, it wasn't long before I got the passport. The clerk explained some of the passport's features, including the embedded RFID chip. (Now I need a tin foil passport holder. :) ) Then I was good to go.

On my way back to the parking garage, I got a lamb gyro from the street vendor to take home.

Since Harlem Drive was presumably still jammed up, I decided to go crosstown to the Lincoln Tunnel and get some street photos along the way. At every red traffic light, I opened the sunroof/moonroof and held the camera up to take a picture. Got a few pictures that way. Ironically, I didn't get the shot I wanted because I had green lights and free-flowing traffic all the way through Times Square.

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From thefridayfive:

1. What is the best part about late summer
Knowing that the oppressive heat will soon be over.

2. what is your favorite memory and why
I've been down to Virginia Beach a few times but I remember the first trip when I specifically went there to get the unicorn costume from Things Unlimited, a thrift store. I visited the worst I-95 rest area in downtown Baltimore. The key got stuck in the ignition in such a way that I had to leave the key there the rest of the trip. Good thing no one stole the car. Watched The Cell, which was a very disturbing movie, in a theater on Virginia Beach Blvd. Had seafood buffet at Captain George's. Also went to the Aquarium and touched some stingrays. That was one packed vacation trip, even though it was in the pre-geocaching days.

3. when you were small, did you realize summer vactions were not going to happen forever?
There weren't any Summer vacations in the old country. It was Summer all year round! School holidays were actually at the end of the year, during monsoon season.

4. where was your favorite summer vacation? why?
See question #2.

5. If you could have one last real summer vacation and cost was not an issue, where would you go and why?
Cost not an issue? Okay, let's start with space tourism.


From manonica:

1. Whose thoughts would you most like to read?
I don't know. I suspect some people have thoughts that are as disturbing as The Cell. That would be interesting.

2. Whose window would you most like to see through?
That would be a tad voyeuristic.

3. Whose wardrobe would you most like to try on?
Clothes, no, but at least a few of you have wardrobes full of fursuits.

4. Whose shoe collection would you most like to raid?
I don't know anyone who has the same size feet.

5. Whose job would you most like to have?
Someone who is a chocolate taster. :)

Comments

[lobowolf.livejournal.com]

Mmmm...roll of lamb! (I love gyros!)

[mortonfox.livejournal.com]

It was indeed good. I'll have to find out if anyone makes those here because I can't be going into the city just for street meat!

[doco.livejournal.com]

RFID-enabled passport? Beware of it, it's the mark of Satan, never ever enter the great devil USA with it, they'll track you with their network of hidden spy cameras once you set foot on their soi..... err, waitaminute.. ;)

[mortonfox.livejournal.com]

The funny thing is the old country started having RFID passports before the new country. One would think that the USA would've started this first, given how much concern they have over terrorism and security.

[jairus-greywolf.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting looking building on 8th & 42nd.

Street meat--now that's adventurous dining :)

[mortonfox.livejournal.com]

The street meat turned out to be pretty good. I thought it would be unsafe at first, but on second thought, there wouldn't be people lining up at his lunch truck if the food was making people sick. It's pretty interesting to me anyway. I haven't had much street vendor food since I moved from NYC to New Jersey because we don't have a lot of that around here.