Feeling resistant to the high prices that the tree sellers are charging for the trees in the lots that are just going to be shredded in a few weeks, I decided that I would go for the artificial tree this year. Only if I could find one that looks quite real. We shopped around this morning, and finally found the perfect one at the hardware store, and it was the very last of its kind, and we got 25% off because it was the floor model! What a deal. I'll post a picture once it's in and decorated.

Last night, we went into the city with Ariana (aged 10) to take a look at the tree in Union Square, and to have a holiday window shopping outing in Macys. The tree in the lobby of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel was artificial, and frankly looked it. Some of the decorations were balloons (they were also artificial.. real ones would have popped). But the fantastic gingerbread castle was all real. I had to admit to Ari that probably no one would ever eat it, because I'm guessing hot glue was used during construction. We were planning to eat at the Cheesecake Factory on the roof of Macys, which may have terrible food but which lures people in with the name. The wait up there was 2 and a half hours! and it was packed with wet people and their soggy umbrellas. We went instead to the Cafe de la Presse, a charming French bistro across from the gates of Chinatown (aux portes de la ville Chinoise). We promised ourselves to make it a yearly pilgrimage. Jazz singer and guitar, warm atmosphere, pleasant waiters, delicious food.

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