Back to New York City

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One bitterly cold early November morning, two old girlfriends from college (Jen and me) rushed through the Embassy Circle Guest House (just about the best B&B in DC), followed by the dear, sweet owner who had gone out earlier than usual to bring us back some warm pastries for our big trip north. With cups of hot herbal tea and pastries in our hands, we hurried down the concrete steps to meet another one of our old college friends (Ruby), who was on-time and ready to drive us to DC’s China Town. After so many years of annual trips to New York during college, as diligent Model United Nations delegates and subsequently, staff members, the three of us were heading to New York once again. There were some key folks missing, of course, like our fearless leader, Kevin, and our guardian angel, John, both of whom are now married with children (and somewhat unavailable to drop everything and fly to New York on a whim).

As usual, New York was fantastic. As soon as we saw the skyline as we drove north from New Jersey, we were inspired, yet again. I had seen the NYC skyline one hundred times, but the rush of emotions and great memories made it feel like the first time. I organized to meet another old friend from slightly post-college days, Amy, who I worked with in DC for many, many years. It had been at least four years since I last saw Amy, so it was a lovely reunion!

We spent the day doing the very classic NYC things we used to do back in the late 90’s when we were college students and Model UN delegates. We had a fancy Italian lunch, enjoying some Chianti with friends. We rushed off to a Broadway show, Spring Awakening, which was both comical and sobering. We then ventured to one of our favorite dive bars in mid-town. Anyone ever involved with Model UN (there were about 3,000 of us) would remember the Irish pub around the corner from the Grand Hyatt on 42nd Street…Muldoon’s. For five years in a row, we spent some of our best Spring nights at Muldoon’s…good times! Before heading back to China town to catch our bus back to DC, we had to spend some time at the best jazz club in down-town NYC, Arthur’s Tavern where Sweet Georgia Brown’s voice conjures up images of endless nights of dancing in crowded spaces. We, of course, owe all of our insider knowledge of NYC to our intellectual, yet incredibly hip Model UN advisor, the esteemed and well-published Dr. John Moore, who year after year, blessed us with his sharp intellect, incredible stories, and love of the arts and the good life.

Thanks to Jen for flying out to DC just to hang out with Ruby and me for a weekend! Thanks to Sean who joined the four ladies in NYC, and who didn’t feel like a fish out of water. And thanks to Amy for taking the train into the city from Long Island to spend time with an old friend.