White Meat Monday - The Friends Edition...

I got a rare treat this weekend - VISITORS! My longtime friend (and "sister") Steve (AKA Maddie) and Curt (Steve's boyfriend/husband/spouse of 7 years), came to NYC on Saturday. Curt, who's still in his twenties (albeit LATE twenties - that bitch!), is taking a Spanish course - where he was instructed to write about a recent "cultural experience". Everyone knows there is no better place in the U.S to get your "cultcha" on than in New York City.

Curt chose to go to the Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art which houses its' Medieval European art collection. The Cloisters is located in way UPPER Manhattan, in the middle of Fort Tryon Park. Everyone had always told me how beautiful the museum and park were, but I had never been there myself. So Maddie and Curt drove from the suburbs of Philadelphia to Manhattan on Saturday. I met them in the early afternoon (they came bearing gifts of BEAN DIP! - it's a long story), and we headed onto the subway for the trip uptown.

Curt had never ridden on the NYC subway system before, so that could have been his "cultural experience" right there. We made it to 190th Street, and wandered our way through Fort Tryon Park, until we got to the magnificent Cloisters.

The land for the park, the buildings themselves, and most of the artwork was purchased by John D. Rockefeller in the 1930's, and donated to the City. Hey, it was the Great Depression - he needed the tax write-off. Rockefeller even purchased the New Jersey Palisades across the Hudson River, to insure the spectacular views that we still enjoy today. That must have been SOME write-off! The most famous part of the collection are the "Unicorn Tapestries" - the most recognizable of which is below:

The buildings are made up of old French monasteries that Rockefeller had shipped here and re-assembled, creating a compound with towers, gorgeous gardens, and soaring vaulted ceilings. And the views from the Cloisters are truly incredible.

Maddie and the view of the Hudson River/The Palisades (New Jersey)

Here are some more of the pictures we took. I went ahead, took a deep breath, and decided to post (for only the 2nd time) pictures of my hefty self. It wasn't easy. Notice how I made Maddie stand in front of me. If I can just get that ONE CHILD, somewhere out there, to put down that Twinkie - this will have all been worthwhile. Ugh. I am truly embarrassed by how I look.

Curt, Fat Albert, and Maddie. Sorry it's so blurry - Maddie was trying to
operate the "timer" so we could all get in the picture.

Maddie needs to move more to the right and cover up my left moob.

After our trip, we headed downtown for dinner, and then ended up at the historic Stonewall bar for a drink (or three). Maddie and Curt continued on to a couple of bars in Chelsea - and I went home so I could be rested up for Design Star recapping on Sunday. After a long day (and evening), Maddie and Curt made it back to PA just BRIMMING with culture.

It was great seeing both of them - and I hope to see them again in September for GAY CAMPING. More information to follow...

I may actually have a few more pics to post (for any Chubby Chasers who may be interested in me). The pictures above were from Steve and Curt's camera. I will download mine later and see if there is anything worth sharing.