New York City Adventure (Day 7)
Highlights: coffee Lan Phan, sublet hunting, Columbia University
Meals: Hungarian Cafe, MOMA, Kambi, Angel Share

Rayfil Wong and Lan Phan

There are very people I would consider a life adviser, Lan Phan is one of mine. My dear friend from UC Berkeley, I have not seen her in a few years.

Currently a student at Columbia, she is an amazing writer and philosopher. I remember around ten years ago, we were walking along UC Berkeley campus and I said to her “look at that person in the wheelchair, isn’t that so sad.”

She looked at me and remarked that maybe the guy in the wheelchair is looking at me and thanking God that he does not look like Rayfil.

A few years later, she is still kind, caring, and down to earth.
I told her to never change.

MOMA poster

Lan and I just simply caught up about life. We both agreed that New York is the biggest city with a lot of lonely people.

You can see many people eat by themselves and simply just listen to music on the subway with sad faces. The key is to find community in NYC.

If you’re a designer, find friends at AIGA events.
If you’re a believer, get connected with a church group.

I have been told that people meet people to get ahead in life.

Previously that morning, I had been visiting a few sublets. Via a church connection from Thomas, I was introduced to Eddy. For only $600, the sublet included a swimming pool and gym at a nice condo. At the end, I decided on a place in the West Village.

For lunch, I ate at New York’s Number one pizza joint, Joe’s Pizza.
The crust is chewy and the sauce is just right, not too tangy.

In the early evening, I dashed over to MOMA for their free admission Friday. One of the staff workers remarked that she knows that I was not from NYC since I had a big smile. She admits that New Yorkers like herself give out a hint of edginess.

Moma pause poster

MOMA highlighted included great industrial design faces along with the long light of an inefficient coat check.

I had dinner with Joe Yang who is gracious enough to host me at Kambi, a Japanese Ramen restaurant that was a miss.

I ended up at Angel Share talking about worlds travels with Spanish friend Laura Andres Martin.

Angel Share Speakeasy Bar