Vitalitea

How about some non-cat stuff going on in my life? Well.....


I just realized today we've had Lush in New York for four years already. That's sick, truly sick. How did time move that fast? Now we have a number of Lush stores in Manhattan and one in Queens, can you believe it. They've even opened in Marie's pine-lined neck of the woods.


Last week when the weather was looking up, I took a trip downtown to South Street Seaport. I've always loved it down there: excellent memories of school trips when my mother was still an active part of my life (sorry, very personal moments coming.) It was one of the few places we had multiple school trips to, and my mom came along for parental supervision. While the other kids had packed lunch, she bought me a freshly made sandwich at one of the restaurants around the seaport (I think it's where the Bodies exhibit is now). This experience was in sharp contrast to my first school trip, to the World Trade Center, where I didn't realize we were supposed to bring money for lunch and I had my first exposure to mooching. I also had my first panic attack when we were in the observation deck. My mom wasn't there: she had gone with my sister to her school trip to Town Hall. I freaked out while standing by one of the windows that tilted out; it gave me the impression of falling. Now I'm not overly afraid of heights, but this didn't feel right at all. Perhaps this perspective made the three floors of Pier 17 a little more appealing. I did come around for a moment, to realize how cool it was that people on the ground looked like ants.


This day and age, I was there (South St. Seaport) on my own. I browsed in the nearby Strand annex until I was lightheaded. After a mild lunch I walked around the pier until I was tired of it, and headed back toward the subway. I took a slight detour and headed to John Street, only to discover a little shop called Vitalitea. I know, candidate for Funny Tea Room name, but the tea's really good there. The owner, I believe, is related in some way to the Nature Boutique next door. He let me sniff out a bunch of different teas, until I settled on a citrusy herbal blend, as well as the purchase of a tin of blueberry tea. The tin was pricey, but it smells fantastic. So I'm telling all my friends. I only regret that places like this were not in existence when I worked in the area. This always happens! Whine, whine, whine!


The other day I was doing a hand delivery for work, to a place that manages apartments (I think.) They were giving away table items for free, anything you want that was in the box was takeable. Well, I'm no moocher, but this was calling out to me. So I took a lovely silver tea service. There's no maker's marks, so I don't think they are worth a whole lot, but this matters not to the Tea Queen of Astoria. I shlepped the stuff home and used that nasty tarnish remover till it was gorgeous. Score!

Otherwise, I saw Bonnie's new place, and it's quite nice. Cozy but not cramped. Also, it's an easy walk from the train station.