art and candy

A great last full day. We slept in and then wandered across the the park to the Guggenheim.  We really like Frank Lloyd Wright, so the visit was mostly to see the architecture, but we were surprised to see a great show by Lee Ufan and an amazing installation of 100,000 dollar bills by Hans-Peter Feldmann.

We then headed downtown with a stop at ABC Carpet and Home and a fabulous lunch at Le Pain Quotidien. I had a very simple salad with aged goat cheese, toasted pine nuts, arugula and tomato. Somehow, the quality of ingredients combined with the best bread I have had in years elevated the whole thing to a holy experience.

Next, came a pilgrimage for the kids. We had talked and read and watched You Tube videos about both Dylan's Candy Bar and  Economy Candy. I am so pleased that they chose to go to Economy Candy, which has been in business since 1937 and has loads more character than the other option. It was a long subway ride and walk down to the lower East side but it was worth it. As soon as you walked in a scent of sugar strong enough to rot your teeth washed over you. Elliot claimed in a low dreamy voice, "this is heaven...." as they made their selections. We bought gummy jets, pop rocks that turn into gum, lavender candy, licorice, chocolate bars, Lego shaped candy and Bronx roasted pistachios.

It took us nearly an hour to get back up to 86th St because it was rush hour, there was a water main break and tons of random stopping in the tunnels. Oliver said he thought it was a good thing that we had so much to eat, so if we were stuck for a long time, we would survive. I agreed. And we did survie, just.

Tomorrow we exit the city at 3, so besides packing, we might hang out in the park and go to lunch, or think about MOMA. It will be sad to leave, but we will be happy to return home to our friends, families, pets, and big, quiet space.