New York Holiday

Yesterday was a perfect day spent with my dear penfriend Michele's daughter, Sandrine. We spent time together 20 or so years ago when she was in the US, staying a year in Boston at the French Library as an excchange student (after graduating from college in Paris). At that time, Sandrine was in her early 20's and I in my 40's. She arrived in New York last Tuesday, and because she invited me, I took the train to spend the day with her in New York City. I couldn't have asked for a better day nor a better time. We walked the day away, and most of it at the Central Park Zoo, where we saw sea lions performing, monkeys enjoying the good weather, 2 huge polar bears taking a nap on giant rocks, a beautiful snow leopard, little penguin looking things that were not penguins but looked like miniature penguins (puffins?), large turtles, and lovely birds. The city was alive with people walking without coats, as it was nearly 70 degrees. The park was alive with joggers, walkers, ice skaters, and a never ending parade of horse and buggies carrying people of all ages and cultures. It was a very special day and a wonderful memory spent with Sandrine. She is leaving tomorrow for France - safe journey, Sandrine. You are much loved.