Field trip

Yesterday afternoon, I called a friend to tell her about my thoroughly crappy morning and she said that her mom was in town and they were heading to the way upper west side to walk around and I was welcome to join them. I hadn't seen her in a while nor been to that part of town in ages, plus she said the three magic words (Hungarian. Pastry. Shop.) that can get me to do anything. Although, actually, you really just need the first two. Or just the middle one.

We met at St. John the Divine, which was hosting some sort of incongruous afternoon concert, but is still quite grand and lovely, even with an odd smooth jazz soundtrack.

I was really taken with these lamps(?) incense holders(?) bells(?):

I guess they're candle holders, now that I look more closely.

Not coming from religious tradition that involves candles, I find them compelling and rather moving.

These were my favorites from a small group of illustrations on display:

We walked along Morningside Dr., through the Columbia campus, visited Grant's Tomb and headed back downtown through Riverside Park.

Then back uptown for Hungarian! pastries! I don't know what mine was called since I just pointed at it in the case, but it was three layers of crumbly walnut cake sandwiched together with tart raspberry jam and a thin, thin layer of dark chocolate glaze just on top. So good. And one of my favorite places in the city. I can't believe how long it had been since I've been there.

Thanks so much for all of the comments and private emails about my ridiculous break-up. I feel pretty much okay (because, really, who wants that?), but it's much appreciated nonetheless.

Comments

[Martha]

After your crappy day, I thought that maybe some cocktails were in order, but I totally forgot the power of pastry! Good thinkin'.

You are making my mouth water because I grew up eating Hungarian pastries (my dad likes to bake). There's one that you could easily make that's so yummy. Make a crepe, spread some apricot jam on it (thin it out a bit), make a crepe, put some ground walnuts mixed w/ sugar on it, place it on top of the first crepe. Keep repeating those layers until you have a decent sized stack and then cut it like a cake. Yum.

[Gina]

My final years in NYC, I lived very close to St. John the Divine, and they are quite fond of the seemingly incongruous concert. *sigh* You make me miss NYC so much.

[Carishma Welch]

Hmm..sounds delectable. Glad you had a good time.

[Sil]

What a wonderful way to spend a day. Good you hear that you've got a good perspective on senor dumbass. Cocktails work too, I can recommend the caipirnha in most situations...

[Wanda]

I'm sorry to hear of the breakup with D, but definitely his loss. I'm glad you had friends and good company to spend the rest of your day. A good pastry can be good for what ails you.

[carolyn]

madeleine l'engle used to be writer in residence at st. john's.

i have NEVER gone to grant's tomb. the list of things i did not do in new york after 13 years was very small and it became sort of running joke that grant's tomb would just never been seen by me.