Deegans, comfy beds and The Big Apple

Flying into JFK I felt both excitement and a little nervous. Neither of us were quiet sure how we would react to the cold and more so the craziness of a busy city in the height of the holiday season.I am happy to say that all these fears  dissolved within minutes of passing through the arrivals hall.

Emma’s family are like many of our Irish families, there are lots of them!!!  four of her dad’s sibling living in and around NYC. Emma’s uncle Nick – (the spitting image of her dad, for a couple of minutes I actually thought it was her dad on a surprise visit) picked us up from JFK and whisked us out of the towering lights and honking traffic to  Seamus’s house, Long  Island. My heart raced as I got used to driving on the “wrong side of the road”, distracted only by the flashing white, red and green Christmas lights, nativity scenes and giant Santas that decorated all the houses -just like in the films.

Two minutes in the door and the kettle was on- loving this Irish hospitality. Seamus’ house is  complete contrast to our tropical paradise, it’s decorated with beautiful traditional decorations, hosting a blazing fire and the sweet smell of cinnamon and pine needles wafts through the air- bliss.

The house is set in a sleepy community- Wading River,  with a lake and a forest trail just 3 minutes from the front door, deer often roaming in the garden. No snow yet but we are not bothered, I am sure it will arrive before we leave. It’s been a relaxed couple of days , catching up on sleep in a comfy bed,  hot showers, a shopping trip to stock up on fleeces etc,  drinking wine in front of the fire, walks in the forest and lots of nattering over a pot of tea.

Yesterday we ventured into the City, Deegans on mass ! We met up with Fran, Peter, Nick, Maureen and Kenneth. The  Deegan walk about was great craic as we chatted from block to block,  tilted our heads back and took in the sights. It was a little overwhelming at times as people pushed and shoved past.  It was bizarre to stop and watch people snap the camera and then rush from one attraction to the next, no one taking time to stop and appreciate the view there and then. I guess that’s life in NYC.

A few  drinks in The Perfect Pint and then onto a beautiful Italian for dinner. It was a great day and many thanks to all the Deegans for making me feel so welcome and at home, so many miles from Ireland.

On proof reading this Emma had reminded me of the three hours that I missed out. I was so taken aback by all that we saw that I left out some of the details. Before we got as far as our first meeting point we stopped for some liquid refreshment at Maggie’s bar and then headed to St Patrick’s cathedral. There we met Fran and Peter and we began our walk about. We headed to the Rockefeller Centre, saw the tree and the ice rink, saw the Christmas windows, including one made for Lady Gaga (one window display was made of hair), walked to Times square and saw where all the festivities will take place tomorrow night. We were slight;y disappointed to not see the naked cowboy but didn’t have time to dwell on it as we were very soon perched on a bar stool in The Perfect Pint being served by a bar man from Laois. Here we had a couple of pre-dinner drinks and then walked to Naples 45 for dinner!!!!!