The Lower East Side

If it wasn't so far from my work, I'd probably want to live in the LES. It's actually not that it's *so far*, it's that every train from Brooklyn comes through there and therefore every single train would be packed full by the time it got to the LES to pick me up and take me to the UES. Sigh.

Blondie and I were off on Saturday morning early to hit up the best ramen restaurant in NYC - Ippudo (http://www.ippudo.com/ny/). We got there at 11:26 am (26 mins after they opened, and I want to stress *on a Saturday*) and still had to wait. But it was worth it.

About to stuff my face full

We split an order of dry fried salt and pepper chicken wings, which Blondie declared the best wings he's ever had. Ever. And we each got a big bowl of ramen. Blondie got a soy sauce flavored pork and chicken combo, and I had the special which was basically spicy mixed with pork mixed with pork. Mixed with more pork.

Afterwards, we headed over to the Merchants House Museum (http://www.merchantshouse.com/). We did a self-guided tour which was actually really really nice. Merchants House is a restored house from the 1800's - the only one left in NYC. It's also considered to be the most haunted house in NYC. It was creepy. Everything was very quiet, and the basement was very cold whereas the rooms where people died were boiling hot. I took a ton of pictures - no flashes allowed - hoping to get some of ghosts (yes, I believe - make fun of me if you want, but when they haunt you, I'll be the one laughing ;) Yes Mr Pooh - this is aimed at you). I didn't get anything but it was still an awesome experience.

An unsuspecting house, on an unsuspecting street

A pie cooler! I want one! Even though I don't make pies!

Before roach motels, the 1800's way to de-roach your house

After you died, this is where they laid your body out

This is where you died, ugh, still creepy after 150 years

Where are the mf'ing ghosts?!?!?!

Sneaky shot of Blondie

We then decided to truck over to McSorley's Ale House (http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/) - the oldest bar in NYC. Sawdust on the floor, grumpy bartenders, 2 types of beer only - we were in heaven. We each had about 6 beers (which equates to 3 beers there - you order a beer, you get 2 mugs full of beer, LOVE LOVE LOVE), and debated ordering some food, but talked ourselves out of it.

Let's drink some beer!

On our way back to our train, we ran into the "Save the Lower East Side" festival. We each bought a cheap hat to protect our faces from the sun, and then I bought a cheap ecobag which I adore - I have my super expensive fancy-ass work purse, but I love my $10 ecobag about a billion times more.

Does it get any better than a good street festival?

We love this city - what started out as a jaunt for ramen, turned into a trip into the new, the old, the eerie and old, and a street festival.

The subway stations in NYC have it all over SF stations

--K