Foodless Fridays – The Hungries Take Manhattan
When Mr. Hungry and I lived in CT, we loved going to NYC for the day or weekend. We would walk around, people watch, eat all over the place, hang out at museum’s, etc.
I love everything about the city, and find it exciting and full of endless possibilities for adventure. I’ve been dying to take Hungry Jr. to show him some of our favorite places now that he is old enough, and last week we finally did it!
First, as planned, we ate at our favorite Korean restaurant, Kang Suh near the corner of Broadway and 32nd street, and it was as good as I remembered! Mason wasn’t as impressed – he hasn’t developed a taste for Kimchi yet, though he did enjoy the short ribs cooked in the middle of our table.
Next up was The American Museum of Natural History – I have been looking forward to taking him there for years, because what kid doesn’t love that place?
Apparently… my kid.
Dinosaur bones? BORING – “They’re just bones Mom, it’s not that exciting. Besides, I’m not a little kid anymore – I’m going to be EIGHT soon!”
Human Origins? IRRITATING – “Really Mom? Naked gorilla people? This never happened.” (I actually agree with him on that one.)
Ocean Wildlife? INADEQUATE – “This is just videos and stuff, they don’t even have real sharks here.”
And my favorite of the day…
“Where is the Megalodon?”
As a big Minecraft fan, he was mostly anticipating the Hall of Minerals. Finally we get over there and it was going well for a few minutes until he asked where the Kryptonite was… CRUSHING DISAPPOINTMENT.
I was a little deflated that he wasn’t having as much fun as I anticipated, but I knew we’d get him with Times Square. We saved it for last so he could get the full effect of the lights at night, and got dropped off a few blocks south at dusk so we could walk up Broadway.
It was fun for me to watch him go from ho hum to WHOA as we got closer. Finally, the excitement I’d been hoping for! He was quiet for about a block and as we finally got into the square over by the Red Stairs, he turned to us with wide eyes and said…
“This is AWESOME.”
We headed off in search of his first “dirty water” hot dog, and got approached by a guy in a Super Mario Bros costume who high-fived Mason and posed for a photo. While I was getting my phone out a few other characters from across the square came over and all got in the shot.
Then Woody from Toy Story waved for me to hand him my phone and get in the group. For a second I wondered if that would be the last time I ever saw my new iphone 6, but a brief mental calculation put the odds in favor of my taking him down if he tried to make off with it. He didn’t look very fleet in that costume, and everybody knows cowboy boots aren’t made for running.
As we posed for the photos I remember thinking, “How nice that these guys all came over to show my kid a good time and take a photo with us!”
Woody took a few shots and politely handed my phone back without me having to chase him down. I was impressed as I scrolled through the photos while the characters chatted up Mason about his favorite part of the city – they were in focus and not badly composed either!
We were all smiles and goodwill as we thanked them and continued on our way to find a hot dog.
Who say’s New Yorkers aren’t friendly???
About 5 seconds later I feel a meaty hand on my shoulder. I turned around to find Super Mario looming over me, “Hey Lady” he snarled, all pretense at friendliness gone now, “We work for tips.” The rest of the crew was closing in around me menacingly as well, and it was more than a little intimidating.
Mr. Hungry and Mason were already yards away (which might as well be miles in Times Square) with the Sabrett cart in their sights, so I was on my own. I fumbled around in my pocket for the last of the cash I’d taken out of the ATM for tolls that morning and came up with a ten and four ones.
Super Mario tried to yank the ten out of my hand claiming that the four of them would split it, but I was starting to get mad now, so I yanked it back and handed each of them a buck. I’m positive I heard Puss in Boots hissing as I turned to walk away, but I didn’t care at that point – I don’t like getting shaken down.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the tipping I mind – if they’d been cool about it I’d probably have just handed over the whole wad because it was a fun five minutes hanging out with them and I liked the photos. It hadn’t occurred to me to tip them on my own because we were focused on Mason and I just assumed it was like a theme park and these guys were paid by the city or something. Lesson learned.
I eventually caught up to the guys just as Mason was taking an expectant bite of his first NYC hot dog, eaten under the bright lights of Times Square. I enjoyed the look of wonder on his face as he gazed around, because it echoed how I feel whenever I’m in NYC. He was finally “getting it.”
As we stood there waiting for Mason to finish, I observed some of the other characters scanning the crowd for kids and families to target – they obviously had a system. Buzz Lightyear zeroed in on Mason and straightened, then I saw him gesture to Spiderman and one of the Minions and point in our direction. I watched from the corner of my eye as they descended on us, weaving purposefully through the crowd.
I didn’t want Mason to know what was up, so when they got within about ten feet I turned and halted them with a glare that said “I know what your game is. KEEP. WALKING.” After a second of hesitation they dispersed and went in search of their next victim.
Meanwhile Mason ate on, oblivious to the sad truth that random people in costumes don’t actually want to high five you and have their picture taken with you just because they are excited that this is your first time in NYC. There’s plenty of time for him to face that reality when he’s older.
He eventually finished his hot dog, and after a brief visit with the always charming Naked Cowboy (who must have been freezing), we ended the night with a visit to the giant Toys R Us and a new Minecraft toy – making us officially…
“The best parents ever.”
Overall it was a great day (in spite of the occasional rude plushy), and we’re already looking forward to bringing him back to check out the Met and eat some more amazing food soon.
Next time I’ll bring more singles… and maybe some pepper spray.
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