The Continuing Adventures...
Shabbos was such a blessing. I love Shabbos, it is definately the best day of the week. I don't know how people manage without it.
It has been raining here for about a week, I've never seen anything like it. But finally Shabbos day it stopped. Friday night I decided to look for the Dumbrov shul, but couldn't find it so I ended up at the the Breuer's shul. It was nice, but a bit on the big side. I got there in time for Aleinu, then turn around and leave. Okay, it was Shabbos walk.
I came back and had dinner, sang and read. It was so nice. I was worried about being by myself, but I found that it was good to have space.
Shabbos day was even better. I found the Dumbrov shul (thanks to a fellow who pointed me in the right direction). I got there in time for Musaf. Afterward a couple ladies came over and asked me who I was, where I lived and generally smoozed for a couple minutes. One lady said that she'd offer me lunch but she was going somewhere else. It was nice to feel welcomed. It's a small place, just a door in a wall, not marked. In the women's section there is enough space for about 20 women, and not all the seats were filled. The men's section was larger, probably held about 50 men. It isn't possible to see anything as there is a curtain in between, which is fine. It is possible to hear what's going on, which is more important. I just liked it there.
On the way home afterward, I think I just bounced. I'm just so happy to find a place to daven.
Had lunch, read, and decided to go on a walk. I know that I live near the Tryon Park, which is near the Cloisters. I'd been to the Cloisters before (saw a lot of Jesus artwork) and I liked the surrounding area. The weather was beautiful. On my way, I walked with an older lady and commented about the rain ending and the ability to get outdoors. She was walking with a basket, and told me that I should go ahead because she was holding me up. I walked ahead of her then turned around and went back. I told her that I was on a walk and there was no rush. I didn't speak to her for too much longer, but when I left she told me that she'd appreciated talking. I was just walking along I think with a big smile on my face - wished the Jews good Shabbos and everyone else a good afternoon.
I made it to the park and I have to say it is really beautiful. It overlooks a river (which river, I'm not sure yet) and the park itself must look like what New York looked like before it was turned into skyscrapers. Trees and mountains. Amazing.
I walked for about an hour when I ended up back on Broadway further up the street somewhere about 200. I followed Broadway back down to my street (near 194). On the way I saw a synagoge around 196. It was closed (I checked). I heard later that it is still a functioning shul with a large membership on paper, but not much in the way of attendance, mostly Russian.
I came back to the apartment, read some more, then decided to go visiting. I went to an apartment building where Batya suggested I meet some families. The family I went to visit was there but the mother was not. I'll have to call them some other time. As I was leaving the building a lady walked in and I asked her who she was, I thought she mighta been the lady I was looking for. She wasn't, but she was another lady on the list Batya had given me. So I introduced myself, it'll make it easier to call her later on.
I went on to visit a friend who used to live in Detroit. I hadn't gotten a chance to call her till now and thought it would be good to stop by. I thought she lived in the building I had just been in, but a girl about 13 corrected me and gave me directions to a different place. Definately helpful. I stopped by her apartment and knocked on the door. A kid opened the door and I asked for his mom. She came to the door and looked at me. It took her a second to figure out who I was. I'm out of context here. She looked at me, gave me a hug and asked me what I was doing there. I told her and I live here, then I stayed for the next half hour, forty-five minutes and caught up. I had a really nice time.
Came back to the apartment, had 3rd meal, enjoyed my books, and ended Shabbos late. What was the rush?
I feel good, it was an excellent day.