Because yaya Lita was not with us to help with Juliana, shopping was not the leisurely task it normally is during our travels. This time around it was more like a mad scramble. There was no time to analyze each and every shade of lipstick or take my time choosing shoes. For Richard (and men in general) shopping is a destination. Men decide what they want or need, they find it and then buy it. For women, shopping is a journey. We love to feel the texture of fabrics, take time to admire the presentation and window display, analyze clothes from all angles in the dressing room mirror and although we hate long lines at the cashier, we even enjoy the process of having our purchases wrapped in soft tissue.
The unspoken rule between Richard and me was that if Juliana was awake, shopping must be a destination, but during her naptime it could be a journey. Ten days in New York and I can only count on three fingers the times shopping fell into the latter category. But I’m not complaining. In fact, I even learned to appreciate it because not only did we cover more places, I ended up buying only the things I really liked.
I went to the dressing room just three times during the entire trip, once each at Banana Republic, DKNY, and PINK (all three times coincided with Juliana’s naptime). I don’t know if there is any truth to it, but I would base my waistline on the size of my neck as I often saw other people do while growing up. Needless to say I got not just a few curious looks. After doing it intermittently a salesman in one shop finally asked in amusement. "Does that really work?’ followed by "Where are you from, ma’am?" One time out of desperation, I couldn’t decide what size to get and I asked the salesman what size he thought I was. To this he quipped, "I’ll have to see you in just your shirt and pants ma’am to be able to make a noteworthy recommendation." All the while I had forgotten that I was bundled up in at least four layers of clothing. It was supposed to be spring but the weather felt more like winter.
The display windows of the shops were a cornucopia of spring’s happy colors, from the tutti-frutti citrus shades to the bright oranges and berries. Colors were flirty as were fashion finds. I loved the candy-colored mesh undies in Gap, also their cropped and cuffed pants that I can live in all summer. Stuart Weitzman had the most wonderful shoes (their classic pumps came in unexpected colors like orange, turquoise, yellow and their evening shoes were beautifully bejeweled and would make any feet look very sexy). Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo had fewer but nevertheless equally beautiful selections.
As far as outlet stores were concerned, Woodbury was the only one we were able to go to, but it was by far the nicest one ever. If you only go to one outlet store in your life let this be the one. Approximately an hour’s ride from Manhattan, it has all the premium brands like Gucci, Tod’s, Frette, DKNY, Coach, Via Spiga, Nine West, Giorgio Armani, Kenneth Cole, Levi’s, Banana Republic and Gap, Nautica, Crate and Barrel, Versace plus a wealth of others to every shopper to drool and shop around dreamy-eyed.
Speaking of Gucci, it was there where I experienced something I honestly thought only happened in movies. As soon as I stepped in it was a mad, mad sight as women of all ages scrambled to get shoes with prices that were slashed down at least 50 percent. From afar, I spotted two pairs that made my heart skip a beat. Oblivious to everyone else I made a beeline to the display rack and reached out to grab the first pair – it was my size! Yippee, destiny. All I had to do was ask the salesgirl to bring out the matching pair. I grabbed the second pair, which was in a beautiful shade of pink and set it on the floor while I positioned myself to have a seat and try it. But horror of horrors I saw a manicured hand grab my pink shoes and in slow motion I saw manicured feet slip into it. My shoes! They were my shoes! I asked for another pair in the same size. There was none, only the one on display. It seemed like an eternity while the blonde woman walked around and around in front of the mirror – in my shoes – while I stood helplessly watching. I didn’t want to get it back from her because the last thing I wanted was a discussion. So in a last-ditch attempt to reclaim what was rightfully mine I approached a salesgirl, explained the situation and she set out to solve the problem without at all dragging me into it. Before long I had the coveted pink stilettos in my hands. Amid my profuse thanks and while she was ringing up my purchase the salesgirl confided that the week before they actually had to call in security because two young women were just about ready to get into a serious cat fight. Over shoes! Whew, what Gucci can do!
In SoHo, shopping is a different experience if only for the ambience of the neighborhood. Whereas Manhattan can best be described as manicured, SoHo is more textured. It reminded me of our very own Malate bursting with character. The Prada store in SoHo is literally a dream, definitely worth seeing but my favorite shop would have to be Anthropologie. It is feminine, flirty, cozy and shabby chic at its best. I wish we had another 10 days to immerse in the place, it was just so beautiful.
I especially enjoyed combing the streets of Madison Avenue in Manhattan. That said, I feel that New York or any place for that matter is best discovered on foot. I liked the fact that in lieu of big shopping malls, Manhattan instead has a profusion of free-standing shops or boutiques.
I was also surprised to see how huge Tiffany is and even more surprising to me was the fact that it doesn’t have the hushed quiet of usual jewelry stores. Saks Fifth Avenue proved to be as posh as its image, each of its floors delightful on its own.
Of course, for me a trip to the US would not be complete without a visit to Target, if only for the line of Michael Graves’ home products. I especially like his streamlined, contemporary take on everyday kitchen products.
We also went to the South Street Seaport shopping area, curiously the only one that carried the brand Abercrombie and Fitch. The area has an old-world maritime charm, reminding me of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.
A visit to the international flagship store of Toys ‘R’ Us in Times Square is unrivaled in terms of shopping experience and merchandise. Juliana marveled at the 60-foot indoor ferris wheel, a 4,000-square-foot giant Barbie doll house and a 20-foot animatronic dinosaur. She couldn’t seem to pry herself away from the life-sized Dora Dora (who she feels and believes is her cartoon counterpart) and she felt right at home in Barbie’s home, prompting a "Daddy can I live here?" plea. Juliana wanted the pregnant Barbie with a tummy that you can actually detach and a newborn baby to boot!
Beauty and the Beast was the only musical we were able to watch, for obvious reasons. We enjoyed it immensely (I guess Juliana even more so) and it was an experience watching the faces of all the kids light up at the sight. After all, how often do you get to see your favorite characters perform live on stage?
Because I love eating, any trip for me is as much about shopping and sightseeing as it is about dining. The first place we had dinner at was Ruby Foo’s which serves delicious fare. For Richard’s birthday, we all trooped to China Grill for another delicious affair with our appetites. Wu Liang Ye, a Chinese restaurant, proved to be an invaluable buddy for those nights when we were too tired to dine out. Thank God for the convenience of food delivery.
Noche, which we went to on the recommendation of the concierge, proved to be delightful as well. I remember the yummy empanadas we ordered. Un Deux Trois was a place we just chanced upon because Richard and I were craving for mussels.
Ben Benson, which serves yummy steaks was another recommendation of the concierge. I loved the food and the interiors of Rue 57, a Parisienne Brasserie and Sushi Bar which has authentic cherry blossoms as décor. Balthazar in SoHo was yet another palate-pleasant experience.
On our first morning, our first stop after breakfast at Lindy’s was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It is a looming, Gothic-style cathedral that could have been in the movie The Lord of the Rings. Inside, it is majestic and very quiet. We were lucky enough to catch the first Mass of the day, a very solemn celebration that lasted less than 30 minutes.
We then walked to Rockefeller Center where the skating rink is and it looked like a scene straight out of a postcard. I can just imagine how breathtaking it must be during Christmas time.
It was nice to just take in the sights and I was amused by the fact that the duo of marble lions guarding the New York Public Library are actually named Patience and Fortitude.
In Central Park, I half expected to see JFK Jr.’s ghost jog by. As far as I was concerned the late hunk was synonymous with the park. It was a really nice experience to be outside among the trees which were still barren from the winter past, but the whole view was beautiful as it was. It was a moment I will always be thankful for – walking with the man I love, pushing the stroller of a daughter I adore, and we were in the company of our usual travel group (Tito Douglas, Ben Chan, Miguel Pastor, Ver and Nene Lim and their three children: Bryan, Christine and Suyen).
One night after dinner, we again passed by the Rockefeller Center and on a whim decided to take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the area. The sound of the horse’s clippity-clop in the quiet of the night had an uncanny way of instantly transporting us back in time. It was probably the best $30 (for four of us) we spent for any ride.
At Dean and Deluca, which sells the yummiest bottled strawberry milk, Richard stocked up on enough groceries to last the duration of our stay. He would then prepare for us hot meals in the privacy of the kitchen in our hotel room at the oddest hours.
Because we were in Krispy Kreme country, it was almost a sin not to take advantage of the availability of these mouth-watering and addictive doughnuts. Although obviously fattening, one bite is enough to induce a happy smile. Blame it on the sugar.
I enjoyed the street food of New York as well. During our walks we would often stop at the many stalls selling hotdogs, muffins, or hot nuts. Surprisingly, even a very cosmopolitan place like New York is not bereft of designer knockoffs being peddled on the sides of the street. Jelly Kellys in every imaginable color, size, and shape were displayed in abundance, closely followed by copies of LVs and the Hermes Kelly Bag.
Years ago, Richard lived in New York for several months to take up film at NYU but he says he never quite enjoyed New York as much as he did this time around. The place was not only more beautiful now, it also seemed much safer.
Walking home one night after a particularly enjoyable day, Richard walked on ahead to buy roses for Juliana and me from a street vendor. He later asked me to pose beside the man for a posterity shot that I can keep long after the flowers had wilted.
To end my New York diary, let me share with you an anecdote about Juliana. Just as we were checking out of our hotel early in the morning, two young men happened to be checking in at the front desk and while waiting engaged in some PDA. Soon they were smooching, in full view of everyone including my curious Juliana. Visibly puzzled, she walked wide-eyed towards her ninong Douglas to ask ‘Why are two boys kissing on the lips, Ninong Dougs?’ At a loss for words, all her ninong could say was, "I didn’t see."