It Was a Chelsea Afternoon / Fue Una Tarde en Chelsea

La versión español está después de la versión inglés.

ON MY SATURDAY in New York, I had the pleasure … no, make that the JUBILATION of spending the day with my sensational second cousin once removed (middle daughter of Cousin the Elder — click here), her phenomenal husband, and their two extraordinary daughters (the elder of the two is in her sophomore year in the city). We met for brunch in Chelsea at a very popular place called Cafeteria and from there we walked and talked throughout the neighborhood. Along the way, we stopped at an exceptional costume and magic shop called Abracadabra (they call it kid-friendly but I’d think twice), sniffed candles and soaps, browsed hip thrift at Buffalo Exchange, had a snack at Donut Plant, and shopped at gourmet Whole Foods Market (to make sure the college student eats). My heart broke a bit when it was time to part company. We’re three generations of soulmates. How lucky can you get!

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EN MI SÁBADO en Nueva York, tuve el placer … no, fue la JUBILACIÓN de pasar el día con mi sensacional prima segundo una vez retirado (hija mediana de Prima Mayor — haz clic aquí), su marido maravilloso, y sus dos hijas extraordinarias (la mayor de las dos está en su segundo año en universidad en la ciudad). Nos reunimos para una comida en Chelsea en un lugar muy popular llamado Cafeteria y desde allí caminamos y hablamos por todo el barrio. En el camino, nos detuvimos en una tienda de disfraces y magia excepcional llamada Abracadabra (lo llaman amigable para los niños, pero creo que lo pensé dos veces), olfateamos velas y jabones, buscamos en la tienda de segundo mano Buffalo Exchange, comimos una merienda en Donut Plant, y compró en el mercado gourmet Whole Foods Market (para asegurarse de que la estudiante universitaria coma). Mi corazón se rompió un poco cuando llegó el momento de separarse de la compañía. Somos tres generaciones de almas gemelas. ¡Qué suerte puedes tener!

Waiting for the family outside Cafeteria, 7th Avenue and 17th Street.
Esperando a la familia fuera de Cafeteria, 7th Avenue y 17th Street..
Waiting outside the toilets, at the communal sinks, at Cafeteria.
Esperando fuera de los aseos, en los lavabos comunales, en la cafetería.
Yes, I’m still here. Smile!
Si, aun estoy aqui. ¡Sonreír!
Yes, that’s exactly what I was doing.
Sí, eso es exactamente lo que estaba haciendo.
With blackberry filling at Donut Plant.
Con relleno de moras en Donut Plant.
Donut pillows — on the wall.
Donut almohadas — en la pared.
Donut bench seat. Hard glazed! Could have used those donut pillows.
Banqueta de donuts. ¡Esmaltado duro! Podría haber usado esas almohadas de donuts.
Another toilet. Donut Plant. The mirrors must be a Chelsea “thing.”
Otro aseo. Donut Plant. Los espejos deben ser una “cosa” del Chelsea.
Great shop, but gender-specific candles? Besides, since when is kush (cannabis) a “boy smell”? Anyway, it didn’t remind me of any kush I ever smelled.
Gran tienda, pero ¿velas específicas de género? Además, ¿desde cuándo el kush (canabis) es un “olor a chico”? De todos modos, no me recordó ningún kush que oliera.
At Whole Foods Market.
En el mercado Whole Foods.
Aglow.
Radiante.
I am SO lucky!
¡Soy tan suertudo!

Author: Moving with Mitchell

From Brooklyn, New York; to North Massapequa; back to Brooklyn; Brockport, New York; back to Brooklyn... To Boston, Massachusetts, where I met Jerry... To Marina del Rey, California; Washington, DC; New Haven and Guilford, Connecticut; San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Irvine, California; Sevilla, Spain. And Fuengirola, Málaga..

18 thoughts on “It Was a Chelsea Afternoon / Fue Una Tarde en Chelsea”

    1. Jim:
      I’m not a believer that blood is thicker than water; family can often do more damage than good. But, this is family I’ll keep in my heart forever.

      Reply

    1. anne marie:
      I’m not even a donut fan, but that was delicious. I didn’t buy any wigs but did buy myself novel temporary tattoos (because they were flat and would fit into my suitcase).

      Reply

    1. Judy:
      My day with them really turned things around for me. Amazing the friendship we’ve been able to build even with only being able to see each other once a year. They’re four of Jerry’s favorite people, too.

      Reply

    1. Debra:
      When I see wigs, I don’t think of San Geraldo who has a full head of hair. It’s all about me.

      Reply

    1. Bob:
      The name Boy Smells caught my attention, but I didn’t get it. Then again, I wouldn’t want a candle that smelled like a locker room or a gym bag (but maybe you would).

      Reply

  7. I can remeber when Cafeteria was a huge hangout on Saturday nights after Splash and XES lounge and the like would close, and the nightlife continued there till breakfast. I made a spectacle or two with Bunny in there. Looks much different now.

    And yes…….WIGS!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

    1. Mistress Maddie:
      What a great place. How I wish I could have participated or witnessed you and Bunny! It was so nice to wander Chelsea and the Village before everyone got there. And, yes, those wigs! That shop was huge and had all kinds of prosthetics, too… Gory and glamourous.

      Reply

  8. Okay, somebody has to go there, and of course it would be me. You’re holding your picture taking apparatus too high! It’s okay though. I love your face. These vicarious trips are a lot of fun!

    Reply

    1. Ah, Delightful Deedles:
      I knew I could count on you. Don’t tell anyone but… I did NOT hold the “picture taking apparatus too high.” I cropped the photo after I was done… and I deleted the original!

      Reply

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