“Travels to a Different Time” New York City: March 18, 2000: Dynamite Cuban Food! Times Square Hustlers

Up at 7:45 for a shave and shower in a huge marble bathroom. Continental breakfast buffet in the lobby restaurant “Coach House”. My goodness coffee in New York City so far has been mediocre. Fruit juices and bagels. Out on the streets at 10:45. Off on the subway to Times Square. Full of small-town tourists with their mouths open snapping pictures. Lots of hustlers shaking down small towners. “Special Tours”, discounted meals at restaurants and shoddy souvenirs. Walked down the street for many blocks to the home of Eloise, The Plaza. Then to MOMA with a good selection of Picassos and Warhol. Lunch in the bustling restaurant in the basement of soup, frittata and fresh rolls. What a filthy and revolting bathroom real Istanbul quality! A stroll along 5^th Avenue full of gringos gawking at the windows of the fashion house shops. Went to meet sister Barbara at Cabana the Cuban restaurant she has been raving about. The chicken wings and coconut shrimp were worth all the sisterly hype. Nice decor and a good time was had by all.