After they had they finished their drinks, the group decided that there was time to ride the bus back to Time Square and then walk the two blocks to their dinner reservations. This ride was enlightening as they traveled the shore line into the manufacturing district of Manhattan. It also gave their feet and legs the rest from the walking they had done earlier in the day. So many buildings. So many people. All with lives and families do various things to benefit the community and to earn a living. Different backgrounds, different beliefs and cultures. But all necessary to complete the community.

They got off the bus at Time Square and headed for East 47^th Street. One block over was the restaurant. Trattoria Trecolori was establish more than 25 years ago as a neighborhood restaurant and to appeal to the tourist who visited the Time Square and theatre district. It had been a favorite of Bette and Tina’s as it served simple Northern Italian dishes using authentic recipes and preparation methods. It was also a more casual restaurant and had reasonable prices for the food and service it provided was excellent.

Once the family was seated, Bette suggested that everyone order a salad as their appetizer since they had not had their usual quota of fruits and vegetables. She would also order a family size order of roasted vegetable medley to go with their main entrees. Tina ordered some wine for the table. They ordered a variety of veal, fish and chicken dishes with sides of pasta and marinara sauces and vegetables.  Even though, it was early for dinner, the family was ready to eat. They were tired from all the walking but had enjoyed all that seen and learned. But most of all, they enjoyed just being together. The day had been different from the activities they had had while living in New York City. Today had been a day to see the importance of the city in relationship to the world and to humanity.

Mary: These past two days have been amazing. The art, the history, even a little mother nature. What an amazing city this is. Are you going to miss it?

Tina:  In some ways, yes, we will. But it will always be here for us to visit. This is phase three of our lives and we are ready to be in California. While we were here, we loved our life here. But we missed our life in California – our friends, our extended family. And we will miss New York, but the time is right for us to make this move just as it was right to move to New York when we did. There will be times when we come back to visit and even stay a while. After all, it’s just down the road from New Haven where our daughter will be residing for the next few years.