guggenheim

I was really disappointed that we didn't see the Cindy Sherman retrospective at the MoMA. On the day that we went, the queue wrapped around the street and went on for blocks - I'm not even trying to be hyperbolic. Luckily, the line at the Guggenheim was significantly shorter. What's up, New York? I don't remember having to wait in a single line for anything when we were there for the summer in 2010.

Anyway, I was thrilled that Francesca Woodman's photography was on display at the Guggenheim and was happy to wait to see it. The New York Times referred to her photos as "a girl’s visual equivalent of “Catcher in the Rye” while The Globe & Mail said that Woodman was "the art world’s Sylvia Plath, or a Catherine whose Heathcliff was her work. Her 800-some black-and-white photos are small, frail, romantic, consistent in their inconsistencies.” - perfect.

roomorama

Roomorama graciously offered to sponsor our impromptu weekend getaway to New York City. We couldn't believe that we got this fully furnished studio apartment in Midtown East/Murray Hill. We had stayed in a Roomorama accommodation on a previous vacation, in Paris, and had a really good experience with their service from start to finish.

I found myself browsing the site just to see what was available in different countries. I saw some insanely beautiful and affordable places which just added to my wanderlust.

I wouldn't promote a company if I didn't love it. As expected with any vacation, there were some inconveniences - we couldn't get into the room until 1pm and the host wouldn't budge on an early check-in so we ended up wandering around Grand Central Station and the Museum of Natural History (not a terrible way to spend a morning, but it's nice to freshen up after a long train ride). Also, when we compared to how smoothly the last meeting with the accommodation owner went, we felt that this one fell short. But, we can't complain... especially since you can run into these types of issues when you book a hotel. The difference is, the cost of a Roomorama apartment is usually significantly less than a hotel room. Also, it was New York City - the fact that we got such a large and clean place for the price the unit was advertised for was pretty surprising. We even had a kitchen!

Recently, we took a trip to Ottawa and I was hoping that we could use Roomorama. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any listings there but I did find this gorgeous lakeside cottage. Wouldn't it be fun to stay somewhere like this with a bunch of friends? I like the idea of renting out these unique properties for a change from the usual. 

I'd love to hear if you've had any experience with Roomorama rentals - it's always nice to get first-hand accounts from other travelers.

american museum of natural history

I've been to the American Museum of Natural History twice and still haven't gotten through the place. It's such a beautiful and interesting museum and it makes me feel like a kid again. It looks like we'll be making the trip back to NY in July... maybe I'll finally see it in it's entirety. - Mina

whispering gallery

The "Whispering Gallery" in Grand Central Station is something I read about before my previous trips to New York, but was never able to find due to lazy planning. This time was no exception. Luckily, there's a new-ish Apple store in Grand Central Station now, so we just pretended to test out an iPad and searched for the exact location (in front of the Oyster Bar & Restaurant).

The arches in this particular spot of the terminal have some unique acoustics. So, when you talk into the corners of the walls, your partner should be able to hear you across the hall as if you were standing next to them. Apparently it's not a secret, because there were a lot of people occupying the corners when we arrived. According to NewYorkology, it's also a popular spot for marriage proposals.

back to montreal

We took the train back to Montreal. I have a love/hate relationship with that trip - too long to sit on a train, but it's comfy enough and there's a pretty view. These are some photos that I took with my phone:

momofuku noodle bar

We ended our trip to NY with a visit to the Momofuku Noodle Bar. It was my first time eating ramen! But the pork buns (which we may have also ordered at the ssäm bar just a few days previously and aren't pictured here because we inhaled them) are really the best thing about the whole Momofuku establishment.

kemp & eden (feat. sean lennon)

Kemp & Eden played at The Living Room on our last day in New York. I foolishly forgot to bring I.D and was refused entry into the venue. While Alex and I were standing on the street discussing how this was a pathetic end to our trip, Sean Lennon was chatting with a photographer behind me. Alex suggested that I ask Sean to help me get in, since he was performing that evening. Considering that I didn't have the nerve to even say hi to him the last time he stood next to us at a show, I surprised myself by telling him my sad story. He was really cool about it and asked to get "my friend, Mina" in - I'm not deluded about the extent of our relationship (or lack thereof) but !!!! anyway. 

The entire night, the owner/bartender kept coming up to Alex and telling him to make sure that his "underage girlfriend" doesn't drink. I was pretty pleased that someone actually thought I was under 21 but I don't think that Alex was amused. - Mina

around ny

{NY POST OFFICE}

         {PARROT BACKPACK       +      MADISON SQUARE PARK}

{FIFTH AVE CLOCK}

{US}

{CABS}

{THE VIEW FROM THE COTY BUILDING}

{MAGAZINE STAND AT 42nd STREET STATION}

{BUILDINGS NEAR BRYANT PARK}

{DOG WALKING}

{MORE DOG WALKING}

{ALICE IN WONDERLAND THEMED SUBWAY TILE ART AT 50th STREET STATION}

{KOUIGN AMANN FROM DOMINIQUE ANSEL BAKERY}

{GRAND CENTRAL STATION}

{GRAND CENTRAL STATION}

{FLOWERS IN CENTRAL PARK}

{CENTRAL PARK}

{JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS RESERVE}

{PIGEONS}

{HI}

{JOEL MCHALE AT CAROLINES}