A New York Reunion

high-line-NYC01.jpg

I opened my inbox and received an invitation to my ten year high school reunion.  Wow, ten years went fast.

Sorry not sorry I won't be attending the event, but as good luck would have it, I flew into New York City for a miniature high school reunion with two of my oldest and closest friends.

Say hello to these two suave gentlemen:

new york, NYC, high line

Ten years ago, you would have found us hanging out in the bowling alley, ice-skating rink or, more likely, the school library or music room.

Today, we are very much still nerds but I like to think our lives are a bit more exciting now!  On this perfect Spring day in New York City, we went for a stroll on the High Line.

What used to be an old rail line that ran above the streets has been transformed to an elevated garden walk with great views across Manhattan's West Side.

new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard
new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard
new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard

Yep, the old rail structure is still there.

Every few years there are proposals to demolish and redevelop this area, but the locals won't let them do it.  They love the High Line.

With sun decks like these, could you blame them?!

new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard

Not to mention the view of the water.

new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard
new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard
new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard
new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard
new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard

^ It was sunshine and smiles all afternoon :) ^

We passed by The Standard Hotel.

new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard

And made plans to go to Boom Boom Room at the Top of The Standard in a few nights' time.

But it's certainly not the only cool building around here.

new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard
new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard

We got carried away chatting and snapping photos all afternoon.  Then I realised the time and told Will that we were running late to the theatre.

He agreed and replied, "But first, let me take a selfie".

new york, NYC, high line, train line, the standard

Then he ordered an Uber to pick us up straight away and zip uptown to Broadway.

new york, NYC, uber

To watch Book of Mormon!

book of mormon, broadway, NYC, new york

We arrived in perfect timing for the musical to start.  (Thanks Uber!)

book of mormon, broadway, NYC, new york

It was the most entertaining and witty new musical that I have seen in years.

If you get a chance to see it, I highly recommend it.  But you will need to book at least a few weeks in advance.  For a sneak peek - here is a link to the opening number of Book of Mormon performed at the Tony Awards.

We left the theatre bobbing up and down to the catchy tunes of the musical.  (...I did warn you we were nerds.)

book of mormon, broadway, NYC, new york

And headed to Sake Bar Hagi - a little Japanese bar nearby for beer and noodles.

Cheers to over ten years of friendship!

japanese, sake bar, broadway, new york, NYC

Seafood okonomiyaki doused in sweet sticky sauce.

japanese, sake bar, broadway, new york, NYC

Pork and vegetable gyoza.  Fried, of course (don't even bother with steamed).

japanese, sake bar, broadway, new york, NYC

Chicken and beef yakitori.

japanese, sake bar, broadway, new york, NYC

Skewered mushrooms - gotta have some vegetables, I suppose.

japanese, sake bar, broadway, new york, NYC

Yakisoba noodles.

japanese, sake bar, broadway, new york, NYC

And yakiudon noodles.

japanese, sake bar, broadway, new york, NYC

So yummy I don't know why they decided to call them yaki! ;)

And the best part of hanging out with old friends?  You can eat like a slob and no one will judge you.

japanese, sake bar, broadway, new york, NYC

Finally, we caught the subway home to our Lower East Side apartment.

new york, NYC, subway

So happy to be here in New York City - it seems that not even catching public transport can dampen my spirits … and that's saying something!