Until Patrick and I arrived here, I didn't realize how many memories from visits past in NY would be revived! Already when we were landing, I started thinking about my first trip in 2nd grade flying on my own with my new orange Samsonite suitcase! I also was reminded of my first night flight in 7th grade or so when Oma bought me a ticket, so I could see the twinkling lights of NY at Christmastime.
The pizza slices we ate our first night here triggered memories of the pizzeria around the corner from Oma and Opa's house, and how we'd eat the lunch special with all the kids wearing school uniforms. The fountains at the Metropolitan reminded me of a photo of me with my purse slung across (as instructed to wear in NY!) around age 8. Walking by the Guggenheim made me think of how we went there when 10- or 12-year-old and I left the museum thinking I could do paintings as good as those modern artists! Walking by the former 5th Avenue BAltman's building reminded me of working for BAltman's the summer before college. The subways reminded me of commuting from Oma's place in Queens when I first started working at Arthur Andersen, sometimes feeling faint because of the heat in the train. Times Square brought back memories of living on 48th Street; Pat and I walked past the Ritz Plaza, where Georg and I lived as newlyweds. The Plaza reminded me of tea and cake we had with Oma some Sundays when we worked in the City. Penn Station reminded me of commuting to Hicksville, NY, as an Andersen consultant advising Manufacturers Hanover. Getting tickets for the Statue of Liberty reminded me of going to the Statue with Karen K and Nick--poor six-year-old Nick with such stomach cramps I had to push him in a stroller. Visiting Tina reminded me of the two other visits we've had in NY; how special this one fell on her birthday.
And now we are making new memories. Pat and I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time yesterday.
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