It was like a beautiful summer weekend

Of course the three-day long weekend off for me went by fast like just another weekend. On Sunday we spent a whole day at the Bronx Zoo. We don't get there often since the train ride is usually quite long, and the stairs from the high-elevated train station is agonizing for a stroller. This time we drove in a Zipcar- a Volkswagen golf, which seems like the last of 'normal' car I'm used to. The dashboard is where it usually is, in front of the wheel, there's familiar interface and even radio buttons are just like an old car- very easy to figure out. Nowadays, newer cars often have no ignition keys but power buttons to turn on, dashboard is somewhere over there under the front window and it's all digital and hard to grasp immediately. Taiyo is thrilled either way to take a ride. He held up the duration of the ride but fell asleep as we made a slow approach to the parking lot. It was a warm summer-like day and everyone was heading to the zoo as well. After relaxing on a comfortable bench for a while, I headed to the penguiins, which is the only animal he normally asks for at the zoo. I woke him up and there was a penguin. Just one penguin. Maybe because it was so warm out, other penguins were hinding in caves out of sight. Taiyo was happy to see the penguin, even though there was only one. We saw some monkeys, butterflies, got on a bug carousel of course, and he was super excited at the Mouse House. He also loved the sight of bears, and we finally made it to the monorail ride after a long wait in line. Half of the train ride was to stare at the trees, grass, and squirrels, but we also had some views of a tiger, elephants, rhinos, and lost of deers and gaurs (the world's largest wild cattles). I wouldn't do it again for such a long wait (40 minutes!), but Taiyo loved the train ride. They are going to close the ride during winter (Nov to April), so I was glad to finally make it this time.

Monday, another warm summer-like day, and we visited Chelsea Market. It is a great destination with kids, with lots of great Halloween displays that made Taiyo really excited and scared. There's lots of great food options there of course. Then we went up to the Highline, and had a snack at the Porch only food served actually on the highline as I know of. Their theme is 'sustainable food.' They had nice little selection of food using local produce, and also local wine and beer. Taiyo had to have the caramel covered pear, which he enjoyed just licking the caramel, and cucumber water. My mushroom quesadillas were tasty and fresh. It's a cute little spot, recommended although no high chairs and it can get really busy. Recommended because outdoor dining is always preferable for us. Or else there's plenty of intresting seatings along the Highline. You can pick up great food at Chelsea Market and have a little picnic on this scenic park. Unfortunately I spilled the wonderful cucumber water on my camera and killed it. Therefore no photos today.

Later, dinner at Natori, one of the surviving Japanese restaurant in East Village. This place has been there always since I got here twenty-one years ago. Now that we lost two Japanese restaurant Esashi and Yoshi, I thought about this little joint I haven't been to for a long time. Entry is not easy with a stroller because it's lower than street level. There isn't too much room for one either inside. But a fish tank was a good distraction for Taiyo. The place was nearly empty but the service was extremely slow, with waiter who was busier chatting with a guy in teh kitchen than tending to the customer on the floor. They were out of gyoza, which probably weren't home made anyway, so we ordered shumai, and the special broiled seabass dinner. For $20, we got tuna and avocado salad, spinach goma ae, cooked pumpkin, seabass, and rice and soup. I thought it was a great deal. Taiyo ate all the shumai, most of the rich and fatty seabass to my surprise, and some rice miso soup and broccoli. We didn't order this time, but they have a few aligator meat appetizers. Most other menues are standard with no surprises, including sushi and sashimi. Not a kind of restaurant you would travel to, but good to have in the neighborhood.