The past few days

Has been a whirlwind few days...

Birmingham on Monday - spent the morning being shown the sights of Birmingham by a very warm and friendly local - he's spent his life in the city and knew it well.  Lots to say about politics, race relations and what has changed and what has stayed the same over the past 40 years.  Then lunch at The Club (it is said THE Club - you have to emphasise the word 'the' - a Birmingham institution).  Met some fascinating (and very successful businesspeople and talked business, politics, history and etc.

Waited at Birmingham airport a few hours for our delayed flight.  Eventually made it to Philadelphia quite late at night.  Dinner at a cool little Italian place that miraculously was still open. 

Tuesday morning early train to NYC (1 1/2 hours).  Stayed at the Gansevoort Park Hotel and very happy with it.  Good room - cool + good size, good staff, good location (on Park Avenue right near the 28th street subway station).  Met up with Susie for an excellent coffee at The Ace Hotel.  Wandered the streets, visited the New York Public Library (including a fantastic exhibition on religion and religious writings), shopped for discount designer clothes.  Met up with Susie again and dinner at the bar at Keen's - an amazing old steakhouse - the sort of place where you order a martini without even thinking about it.  Then saw Time Stands Still on Broadway - a really good play, with Laura Linney and Christina Ricci.

Wednesday morning at The Met.  My favourite painting was in storage (Zuburan - 'The Crucifixion') but still always good.  Checked out the antiquities, the armour and European paintings.  Met Susie again for a great lunch at Momofuku Ssam Bar - really good.  Wandered the Lower East Side then caught the train back to Philadelphia.  A dinner last night for M's Fellowship group.

I wandered around Philadelphia this morning - good coffee at La Colombe on 19th.  A lunch as part of the Fellowship, with the Chairman of Intel as the guest.  She was very impressive.  A relaxed afternoon and a formal function tonight.