Train Trip

OK, I found an Internet cafe. Just to prove that I am actually on this vacation and not just sitting at home watching TV, I'm posting this picture of my sister Stephanie and me at Tony's very near my brother's E 82nd street apartment. Great bruschetta with shrimp and the best Italian eggplant I've ever tasted (I'm not big on eggplant).

Some highlights of the trip so far:

1. Mom and I hearing a train whistle at 2:10 AM and suddenly panicking that the train had come and was leaving early. Turns out it was about 50 minutes late as had been predicted by Julie, the Amtrak telepone robot, who pretends not to hear you unless you're speaking quite loudly, causing those around you to wonder why you're so weird. "It's because I'm talking to a fembot!' I want to yell.

2. Paul and his cabbie harrassed at the border. Yes, it cost me $50 just to take a cab the couple of miles from Detroit to Windsor. Already robbed, the Mounties gave me a hassle getting over the border. They couldn't understand anyone just wanting to stay in their country for a lousy one-day train ride. I'm beginning to see their point. No contraband was found. I'm being watched--probably.

3. Paul's sister-in-law volunteers her relatives for cab duty. Why did it sound so over-the-top for me to call on my in-laws for a ride over the border? $50, an interrogation and a good frisking later, I'm questioning my questioning of Sima's wisdom. Sure I'd put them out. But think of the trouble I'd save MYSELF!!

4. The D'Alsace fiasco: Ken made reservations at this German place well in advance. But when we walked the half mile through the rainy New York streets to get there, we found that our table had been given away. We had to wait a full 35 minutes to get a table. In the meantime we dove in a bar frequented by Woody Allen to get out of the rain. He wasn't there. A bartender who resented those in our party who ordered his $5 soft drinks, was. My bill: $16 for two tiny drinks.

October 13, 3:35 PM from Windsor, Ontario

# posted by Paul @ 12:26 PM