Alden and I, thoroughly fed up with life in a family of five, headed to New York yesterday late afternoon. We took the Chinatown bus from Wilmington.

So he would not get lost in the shuffle, Monkey traveled in my bag.

Two hours later, we were standing in the heart of New York.

We were excited.

But we were at 33rd and 5th and needed to get to the West Village. And so we found a train. It was loud.

Monkey was excited.

And a little bit scared. So Alden held his hand on the train.

Eventually, we made it to the Village. The signage was confusing.

Alden and Monkey explored Barrow Street.

But eventually, we got there. And fell fast asleep. And now we are off for a day of adventure. More on that to come.