Travel & Hotspots
OUR GIRL IN NEW YORK
The Butcher’s Daughter on Sunday. ‘Vegetarian is inedible’ is his opinion, so before I cross the taxi towards the other side of the water, I meet friend Bibi and Cath at the ironically named tent on Kenmare. In the sun. Outside. Because November feels like the beginning of summer, which means the waterflower Mimosas quickly stand next to our avocado toast. Of course, I lose track of time (and Chanel in the bathroom, luckily she’s back) and before I know it, the clock strikes ‘baby-visit-in-Brooklyn’. Quickly we swipe our cards through the machine and grab a taxi towards the other side of the water. Brooklyn is the destination. There is a very small person to admire who is two weeks old and we get to cuddle with her. With the baby in my arms, I look outside. There’s not much left of the summer weather on our island, I conclude while looking at the dark cloud package above the towering buildings. But she is still beautiful. Our Manhattan. Are we really going to leave you in a few weeks?
After our visit in Brooklyn and viewing numerous apartments in Manhattan the day before, the thought of leaving the island haunts our minds. Leaving the city, of course, we never ever do, but trading Manhattan for Brooklyn? Maybe. We are moving out of our apartment. After three years, it has been nice. Because despite our amazing building with the sweetest doormen, the nicest staff, the insane rooftop terrace, and all the other facilities, we have outgrown our home. We want more closets, more light, more views, and more square meters. I mean: my shoes are in the kitchen cabinets. But with the housing market at the moment, all those demands cannot be met for the budget in our heads. At least, it is possible, but for the same amount per month, you can be in Brooklyn with even more closets, even more light, even more views, and even more square meters. And, with a bit of luck: a private terrace. I’m still in doubt because my heart lies in Manhattan. But Brooklyn isn’t so bad after all. Williamsburg is just a bit better to ‘settle’, just a bit quieter and maybe the place for our grown-up house?
Wednesday is ‘Blue wash day’. He finds it a nightmare. I do too, by the way. Doodles are great, don’t get me wrong. They are smart, sweet, and so incredibly soft, but to maintain that softness, you have to comb, brush, and wash such a creature every two weeks. It costs me and him at least half a day. But what must be done, must be done, and he gets extra cookies on a wash day like today. But I don’t think that reduces the misery because he has been looking at me a bit angrily all day. Even when it’s over.
I walk into the building after my regular morning walk with Blue. There’s a man at the desk with a huge bag from Schutz. Ha, that’s for me. I’m right, and a few minutes later, I’m standing in the elevator with that gigantic box. Schutz has been my friend for a year and thought it was time for a gift in the form of amazing boots. Over the knee and in black. And made of suede. So, my weekend starts off well-shod. Thank you, dear Schutz.
