Day 82: New York Deco Pearls

Lizzie and I being silly in Mid-town, NYC

9/11/2000 Staten Island Ferry,
Twin Towers in background

In September 2000, shortly after Rob and I got back together we went on our first overseas trip - to the US for the Am Pol Sci Conference in Washington D.C. It was pre-election season in the US - Gore v. Bush (even that seem so sane now!)- and Lizzie was there at the same time to connect with some of the key Democrat Party pollsters. This meant we were able to spend time together in Washington and then a few days in NYC.


In New York, Rob and I visited the Twin Towers. I remember the date distinctly because it was Dad's birthday - 11 September, one year to the day before the planes hit. This photo of me on the Staten Island Ferry was taken just after our visit there, with the towers standing tall in the background. It was eerie to realise this timing after the tragedy.

NYC earring shopping

Our New York hotel was on the Upper West Side, between Columbia University and Central Park with the tiniest of rooms. Around the corner there was a great bagel shop, and near that, a fabulous earring shop. After much deliberation, I selected today's Art Deco design pearls as a souvenir of that trip; it was the first time I think it registered with Rob that I had a serious earring obsession, and he took a photo of me making my selection.

C&B, The Birdcage, 2000

We left New York for London for a few days en route to Portgual (see Day 17). While we were in London visiting Cazy and Ben, the four of us went to one of the latest hit restaurants, The Birdcage, which is where I'm pretty sure these earrings had their first outing. A Guardian review at the time notes that the restaurant was expensive but "considering the labour, love, originality and Epicurean pleasure involved in each mouthful, it isn't unreasonable". I still remember the meal clearly, so I guess they were right. I'm not sure Rob and Ben have quite as clear memories after their Absinthe nightcaps!

Absinthe nightcaps

Our hangovers couldn't have been too bad as we headed out the following night for dinner with Pauline and John at another great restaurant of the moment, the Middle Eastern Momo's just off Regent street. We had a big night on the champagne with them - as the photo attests - and stumbled home so late we slept in the following morning and missed our flight to Portugal! 

J&P, R&L Momo's London, 2000

After some cross country excursions and great sleuthing by Cazy, we did eventually catch up with our travel companions in Northern Portugal, including many members of the golden web: Geoffrey, Vicki and David, Bretty, Anthony, Maddie and Bill, and Cazy and Ben. It was an amazing house in a strange land. We made the most of it and had a fabulous time.

The Portugal gang, 2000

Coogee, Easter Saturday

Day 82 and for some variety we decided to take a walk along the headland at South Coogee. It was a gorgeous morning and so refreshing to experience the sea air. Angus was my walking companion this morning and I now know more about Pokemon than is healthy for a grown woman.


I'm making progress with the puzzle - the beautiful girl is emerging from the fragments. But I'm almost done with the 'easy' bit and am feeling daunted by all the yellow and black still to come. Rob has taken James as his companion to the Belvoir theatre tonight to see Dog and Cat. I'd love to have gone but just don't have the energy. Angus and I are making our own fun at home, watching old episodes of Dr Who and reading Danny the Champion of the world - oh to write like Rolad Dahl - he's a magician with words..