WOO HOO II

After my adventures on Long Island, I headed to Manhattan for WOO HOO II. In case you have never met the Woo Hoo’s, let me explain. There was a period of time living in London when seven women formed a very strong and special bond. Yes, we lived a very charmed life but the ex-pat life is not without its problems; we were often alone when our husbands traveled, we have children and we missed our families and friends in the US. Polli, Kathy, Eileen, Anne, Liz, and Lynn were my support system. What the Woo Hoo’s were about was listening, love and a whole lot of laughing (they say that is the best medicine). We often gathered on Friday afternoons for a game of dominoes, catching up on the week and HAPPY HOUR. This was the time when you could share your thoughts, opinions and feelings. Everyone listened, everyone had a chance to speak, and no one person dominated the proceedings. Husbands joined us when they could and we would head out for a meal together. It was one of the most special times of my life. Everyone of the Woo’s are unique, every one of them are special. Jeff often says the thing that strikes him when the Woo Hoo’s are together is how we energize each another. When four of the Woo’s moved back to the states life changed. It slowed down and became a little less fun. Thank god Polli and Kathy were still with me! In recognition of that shared experience, last September the first annual Woo Hoo reunion was held at Anne’s house down the Jersey Shore. We had a great time. Anne even had t-shirts made. We raised a glass to the absent Woo’s and hoped that we would see them next time. During the course of the next year we agreed to meet in Manhattan and do it again! WOO HOO!

Well, Woo Hoo II happened for the three days after Labor Day. Everyone was there. We met in a two room rented apartment in mid-town between 3rd and Lex. It wasn’t the greatest flat but it had a living room area where we could all gather. The first order of business was catch up! That took up about 3 hours and a bottle of wine! One of the drinks favoured by Woo Hoo’s is Caiprinhas. We headed off to Churrascaria’s Plata Forma Eodizio on west 49th for a sample or two. Enough said! Great place! Thanks to some long distance phone advice by Lynn’s husband Greg, we found a restaurant called Django on Lex and 46th to absorb the alcohol. Good meal! We walked back to the hotel and I am sure I was weaving as I walked!

Wednesday brought the arrival of Eileen from NJ with this years reunion t-shirts. She did an outstanding job. They were purple with a graphic of the NYC skyline on the back. The group put them on, hustled downstairs and a very accommodating hotel staffer took the group picture.
We then headed to Battery Park to board a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The weather was fantastic with a bright blue sky. I still find it a bit hard to see the Manhattan skyline with out the towers. You are no longer able to climb to the top of Lady Liberty and can only gain entry to the monument pedestal (by appointment only!). Not the same to me in my memories of grade school field trip and so very sad. The group had a nice walk around the base, took photos and re-boarded the ferry for the short trip to Ellis Island.

The first order of business on Ellis Island was another favourite activity – eating. After lunch we then toured the facilities where Lynn and I got to be judges in a deportation hearing of a young Russian man. I voted to let him stay but in the historical actuality he was deported. Some legal technicality about already having a promised job. Too bad. I wonder what became of him? Before we left I visited the Wall of Honor, where my great grandfather Frank Ruisi is honored by my family. His name is a placed with a great view of the Manhattan skyline. Brooklyn would have been more appropriate but still a choice spot!

All that touristy stuff makes a girl thirsty so we headed over to Fraunces Tavern on Pearl St. in lower Manhattan in the Wall Street district. The 1719 building is the site where George Washington gave his farewell address to the officers of the Continental Army in 1783. After the war it housed the first departments of War, Treasury and Foreign Affairs. Today there is a tavern and a museum on the site. Woo Hoo to George!
Dinner that evening was at Il Cortile in little Italy. There had been numerous emails amongst the group about where Billy Joel was inspired to write the song “Bottle of White.” In my opinion, this was not the place! When we tried to catch a cab up to Mulberry St. we discovered that there was a taxi strike on! The meters were off and gouging was the order of the day. After a few attempts to find a cab at a reasonable price- it cost us $10 a person for what should have been a $10 fare! Dinner was sensational. We even celebrated Liz’s 50th birthday this summer. The food was terrific, and I had my favourite spaghetti with white clams. We sadly said so long to Eileen as she headed home, work beckoned the next day for her.

Thursday was a shopping day. The first order of business was E. 47th St. and the diamond district. Someone bought a special present (don’t want to ruin it!) and I shopped for a ring (yes, Jeff knew about it beforehand!). The group then split up, headed off in different directions and different stores around town. We all met up again in Bloomingdales Visitor Center later in the afternoon. In year’s past Bloomie’s gave out of town visitors a nice shopping discount (11%) and a very nice souvenir bag. The discount remains but the bag this year was an ugly plastic with a 60’s design. Yuk but I still shopped using the discount! Love that Ralph Lauren!
Kathy left us around dinner time to catch a flight home – she too had to work the next day. Polli’s son Brent met us at the hotel for pre-dinner drinks and off we all went to Rosa Mexicano at Columbus and 62nd St. A great view of Lincoln Center. I loved the mosaic on a large wall done in blue tiles with a progression of divers down the wall. The guacamole was just how I like it. Thick chunks of avocado made at the table with fresh peppers and onions! I think we all agreed it was a fine meal! Yes, there were a few margaritas thrown in for good measure!We are Woo Hoo’s after all! Back at the hotel it became blue goop nite. Polli had brought a packet of do it yourself facials with her and we did it! It was hilarious! There are many photos they can’t be shared! I forgot to mention that the room had only one bathroom that was shared by six women. It is testament to woo-hoodom that we managed without incident. It was funny to see us in the bathroom peeling off this blue mask! My skin felt great afterwards. Great Idea Polli!

Friday morning brought the early morning departure of Polli back to London and Anne back to the shore. Lynn, Liz and I went back to 47th St and bought my ring. We then headed off to Macy’s to shop. I bought a new night shirt and Lynn got a free bag from Macy’s – much nicer than Bloomie’s! After lunch I headed to JFK to pick up a rental car (then to Brooklyn) and Liz and Lynn headed off to LaGuardia.

Woo Hoo II was over for 2007.

God willing we will do it again next year in ………………?