New York: Day 3
My hope of waking up at a normal hour was dashed after finally getting to bed at 4am from the concert. I finally woke up at 3pm and had a message from my cousin saying his plans had changed and did I want to meet up with him and his sister for dinner. Before dinner I had one mission, and that was to find a clear backpack. The venue wouldn’t let me in with a regular one so I had to hold my camera the whole time. I did it, but it wasn’t ideal and a bit sketchy so a clear backpack was the call. On the way to find a backpack I found this cool sports bar named Brickyard. It had probably a 200ft bar and about 40 TVs all showing various games. I sat at one of the ends and ordered a local beer. The bartender was extremely nice, Beatrice. She asked where I was from and what brought me to New York. When I mentioned this Metallica adventure she thought that was the coolest thing. We chatted for about 20 minutes about the stops, where I had been to already, how did I get this ticket, and Hawaii. Finished my plate of wings and as I was paying a group of guys sat down a few chairs from me. I collected my wallet and slung by backpack on when one asked if I went to the Metallica show. To which I replied “YUP!” They all shouted and high fived saying they were there too. We talked the concert, other concerts, how far did they travel, etc. I thought their heads were going to explode when I told them of my ticket and Metallica adventure. We all took a photo together and said would see each other at the show the following night.
Back to the backpack mission. It unfortunately was unsuccessful. I tried 4 different places including Target, H&M, Urban Outfitters, and a local luggage shop. When I returned to the room I got on my computer and searched for clear backpacks and have seemed to find one at a store near me. Will go on that quest tomorrow before heading to the show.
Showered and got in the uber and headed to a restaurant called Terra to meet the cousins. We had an absolute blast! It had been probably a decade, if not longer, since I last saw John. Anne had come to Hawaii a few years ago. We had food, drinks, and great conversation and then headed to a bar just down the street. We had some whiskey and FaceTimed both our families and each cousin got to talk to the uncles. I had only been to NYC twice before so seeing my east coast cousins is a scarcity. It was awesome to see them and glad a Metallica show could bring me to the city.
We wrapped up the evening and caught a cab back to the hotel. It was early-ish still and being on that crazy time change I wasn’t particularly tired. I asked the doorman if there was a cool bar close by. He replied “Ya dude there is a club on the 29th floor of our building.” With that I hit the top floor and to my surprise it was a packed hookah bar. I found a single seat at the bar and had a local ipa. The dude behind the bar was marginally friendly but seemed to like me more than others. A few people started asking me if I could order for them because they weren’t getting any service. The 2nd girl next to me asked that question and while we waited for the bartender she asked where I was from and in return she said “Im stationed at Hickam!” To think you travel 5000 miles away and sit next to someone who lives on Oahu. Her guy friend had no interest in meeting me but I think mostly cuz he was about to kill the bartender if he ignored him again haha. Finished my beer and headed back to the room.
A super successful day and tomorrow the adventure continues!
