Funny story. I met Liz, a sweet missionary from Pennsylvania, while on my first medical mission trip in 2009. It just so happens that she is back in the states and now lives in the Big Apple! Thus, I had a chance to not only enjoy the sweetness of the Lord in visiting Liz, but also had a great place to stay while getting my first taste of NYC! Top it all off with a free round trip flight, thanks to my trusty SouthWest Airlines VISA card, and you have one happy little girl! ME!
Liz and I met at a medical missions clinic day in Romania. She was there working with International med students from the college in Iasi, Romania. And I was there with my church. It was one of those "I know you from somewhere" type of meetings. After we realized there was no possible way we could have met, and that the familiarity already between us must be the work of the Holy Spirit, a beautiful friendship was born; sustained via Skype, email, postcards, and well, another trip to Romania last year!
The Lord called Liz back to graduate school and thus began my first adventure to the Big Apple!
We share a love of international cuisine, so after navigating the flight to Newark, the train to Penn Station, and the NY subway system, we headed to ZOMA for some Ethiopian food! Dinner was fascinating and delicious and apparently we like Ethiopian lager!!
Friday began with coffee, a bagel, and a pumpkin donut from Dunkin Donuts!! Then, it was a long but adventurous day of taking the subway to Brooklyn, waiting in line 45minutes for the best NY pizza (Grimaldi's!), walking a mile across the Brooklyn Bridge, experiencing OCCUPY WALL STREET, and heading to Battery Park to see Lady Liberty from across the River.
So. Much. To. See.
Friday night we grabbed a Jamaba Juice smoothie and headed to see Sister Act on Broadway! Super fun show. Then we walked through Times Square at midnight and ate dinner at Shake Shack...DELICIOUS!!! Why do cheese fries, a sloppy good hamburger, pumpkin ale and pumpkin custard taste so much better past midnight????? Gooey goodness.
Saturday was much more laid back. Liz's roommate, Tori, joined us for a run at this great park on the river, complete with a rubber track and a beautifully diverse array of people enjoying the amazing weather. Later, Liz and I took the subway to Central Park, got some healthy sandwiches, spread out a blanket in the grass and read all afternoon! She studied and I borrowed The Help from her random bookshelf. (Great book! I can't wait to see the movie!!) That night, Liz cooked Nigerian food for us--a mad skill she acquired from her Nigerian medical student friends while in Romania! YUM!
Sunday, I had the privilege of worshipping in the East side at Trinity Grace Church. Wow. Let me just say it was a beautiful experience and edifying to the core. I'm so thankful that there are parts of the Body speaking truth, preaching the Gospel, and reflecting the love of Christ so fully around this country. TGC is doing these things powerfully!
It was almost time to go so Liz, Tori, Alexandria and I headed to lunch while I dragged my little rolling suit case through the east side. WHEW. We stayed a little too long so it was a mad dash to the train station to make it to the airport on time!! A perfect ending to a NEW YORK CITY experience. HA!
I'm so so thankful for such a great weekend, meeting new friends and enjoying unity and fellowship in Christ. I can't wait to go back again soon.
I love New York!
