Playing Catch-Up: Day 6

Continuing the saga that was our summer vacation…

Day 6 - The day after the wedding.

After breakfast with the bride and groom in the hotel, I wanted to take my kids back to my hometown, Stamford, CT, to see where I grew up. I have to say, they weren’t as excited as I thought they’d be. Come on guys… this is where Mom lived and went to school when she was your age! Nothing! A few uh-huhs was about all I got. The funny thing is, although I lived in Stamford for 18 years, it really didn’t feel like home anymore. I’ve lived in California longer than I lived in Connecticut.

The streets seemed smaller, the houses looked familiar but to be honest, I drove right past my house not even realizing it was the same house. It was… different. The color, the landscaping. All different. My elementary, middle and high schools all seemed a lot more dilapidated. I guess 25 years does that to a building. It was a little sad.

So much was overgrown that it was hard to even see certain places anymore. The feeling was strange, not what you would expect. There really is nothing for me there anymore. My family has all moved away, except for my cousin who recently moved back. Oh well… I guess you really can’t go home again.

We ended up driving into New York that evening for dinner. David just wouldn’t be satisfied if he didn’t at least visit the 2nd Avenue Deli at least once. Now… if you are a New Yorker, you might remember the original 2nd Avenue Deli. It burned down. Sad but true. So they relocated. And now, the 2nd Avenue Deli isn’t on 2nd Avenue. It’s weird. And kind of pointless. Food was good, but cost enough to pay my electric bill for months. Kosher food is pricey.

Forgot to mention that before we had dinner, we went to the Empire State Building. I might also add that I was just a little (okay, a lot) horrified that they are now charging $25 just to go up to the observation deck. I’m pretty sure it was FREE when I was a kid. Honestly, $25 just to go up an elevator a million floors and get the privilege of seeing the city from a million floors up. What once “An Affair to Remember” did for the romance of the building, “Sleepless in Seattle” is now doing for my kids who have seen “Sleepless” a few times (okay, maybe 3 times in one day… who’s counting).

Day 7 coming up… the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Excursion