My abductor had previously showed me the confectionery options available to me via the bakery’s website. She had not incorrectly noted that I would want to make away with a Cosmopolitan cupcake.  I will admit, once the impressive and beautiful display case was directly in front of me, my resolve weakened slightly.  But, since a cosmo cupcake is not something found everyday, and because the bakery lists the caloric count at around 500 calories each, I opted for my one cupcake.  It was beautiful pink and green and I dare say, sparkly with its sugar crystal trimming.

We happily left the tiny store front, me with my one fabulous cupcake, which I was hopeful also tasted like vodka, my kidnapper with her choice two and my friend who had already bitten into her decadently looking chocolate on chocolate treat.  It was decided to head down toward Macy’s.  Walking down the streets of New York City, I was reminded how much I love it and how much I actually miss it.  I live so close (despite our long arrival time earlier in the day) and yet, just don’t make the effort to go as I should.  Of course, that said, I love Center City Philadelphia and don’t see myself bopping around those parts too often either.

One of the things I love about walking around the City is the diversity of people you run into. Some are tourists, some are performers, some are just going about their day annoyed by the former groups and some are simply amused.  I don’t consider myself a tourist since I am a former resident and only live 90 miles away… which is one of the complaints I’ve heard New Yorkers have against Philadelphians, and I suppose it is only fair when taking into account my complaints about their driving behaviors when visiting here.  Nonetheless, I consider myself among the amused; after all whatever else can one be when on a madcap adventure?

The other group that sets off the background of New York City Streets are the vendors that sell everything from photographs, scarves and sketches to nuts, hotdogs and assorted other food items.  The smells can be as incredible as they can be nauseating but they are a constant.  And I was suddenly reminded that I love New York pretzels. With my apologies to Philadelphia, the crustier version sold on the streets here make my day… and so I stopped to indulge in my already carb-o-rific day.

While we opted to not actually go into Macy’s, one does have to admire their incredible window displays… and the current is simply amazing showcasing paper works by Pratt Students.  The results of their semester-long studies in texture are fabulously dressed Pucci mannequins lining the Broadway block.  As someone with a penchant for stationary and fashion, all I can say is that I wanted to wear a few of the designs—most notable a chain link dress reminiscent of 1920s prohibition era design.

It was finally decided to head back to my friends, retrieve the car and send ourselves tumbling back to Philadelphia, but of course, not without a bathroom stop.  This time, however, it was my kidnapper who required the facilities.  Into a nearby Old Navy we went.  My friend to check on baby clothing, my abductor to the rest room and me, I promised to stay put near a rack of coats.  Of course, the promise was short-lived as I noticed the lavender wool peacoats were half off.

I had spent a year searching for a wool coat that was not black or military green and properly fit.  As I eyed up this lovely lavender jacket, I weighed the disappointment if it didn’t work out versus my forever regret for not at least trying.  So I stuffed my pretzel in my bag, grabbed one off the rack and searched out a mirror.  It was a perfect fit—style, cut, color and price.  As I was admiring myself in the mirror and heading to the checkout, I noticed FIVE tables of jewelry… on clearance… and an additional half off.  I nabbed two quick necklaces and headed to the checkout, determined to be back where I said I would be by the time my co-conspirators returned.  I didn’t make it.  My Blackberry buzzed from my kidnapper inquiring as to my whereabouts.

Upon returning to the scene, I explained my awesome purchase and we went in search of my friend who was still perusing the children’s clothing.  As we awaited her to pay for her awesome finds, it became apparent that I must play with the items on the nearby clearance shelf.  Had I saw the Audrey Hepburn style shades before I’d paid, I would definitely have included them in the splurge.

The bathroom and excellent unplanned purchases taken care of, we piled into the subway to head back up 150 blocks to the car.  Playing train roulette, we ended up on the local rather than the express.  It was an unfortunate situation, but there were plenty of interesting characters on the course of the ride that it hardly seemed to take the 30-plus minutes to get to our stop.  My abductor was not keen on taking the train and did utter something to the extent she would not do it again, which I had heard previously, but had not considered reasonable.

With only one misdirected turn on the way back… and only one necessary tinkle stop, we managed to return homeward in much less time than our outbound trip tallied.  At least, I’m fairly certain that to be the case as I ended up crashing from the carbs (as I had also decided to get some garlic knots when my companions picked up pizza).  I was also happy to note that my Thermos, even after sitting all day in the cold-ass car still held very warm coffee.  It was just one of the things that made me happy on our madcap road trip adventure.

*A DanielleJ note* I can’t complain if elements (or my point of view) have been left out of the story. I willingly published the musings of the great Miss Mayhem knowing this would be the case because I am in Wordyless mode right now. I have, however, published photos of our journey on our Mainline Mayhem Facebook Page in the January Photo Album.