There’s this thing I do with one of my friends every time we look up and see an amazing sky. Regardless of the time of day, we’ll text each other random phrases such as “Monet Sky” “Dali Sky” or whatever artist we feel is being represented currently by the natural colors and cloud pattern on the global canvas.
We’ve done this type of communication back and forth for years. Wherever we are in the world, it has been our way of saying hello, staying connected until we meet up once again. Writing this now, I realize how much I miss this friend lately and wish she lived nearby once again.
If she did live closer, I would suggest she come into the Capital Region for Downtown Albany’ Restaurant Week, going on now through Friday, October 25, 2013. Since all the menus are online (at downtownalbany.org) in one place, it’s easy to review and decide where to eat, what to order, leaving our valuable time together available for reconnection.
I’d walk her through the historic streets and discuss all the changes happening in Downtown. And then pop into a few of the apartments on the free Residential Open House tour taking place tonight (Tuesday, October 22, 2013) from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Knowing her though, she’d want to explore the urban outdoors, the riverfront park trails and land on a restaurant with an outdoor patio. Lucky for her there are many patios – including three of the four new additions to this fall’s Restaurant Week: Buddha Tea House, The Capital American Eatery and Lounge (patio), The City Beer Hall (patio) and The Olde English Pub and Pantry (patio).
After dinner, I’d take her to the local gallery, walk outside and explore restored ghost signs and join in on a walking tour about movies filmed in Downtown. Sounds like a good night.
Old friends. Dining outside with the stars. Under a beautiful Downtown sky. Now what artist is that?
See you Downtown.
-MR
