Labor Day Weekend!

We continued our orientation this weekend. On Saturday we filled out all our Americorps paper work then we went and ate at this soul food restaurant (very similar to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles). We had more Bible study. Somehow the 3-parter turned into a 4-parter. Then we went to evening prayer with the nuns of Community of the Holy Spirit. Apparently the one who knew we were coming didn’t tell the other ones so it was a little chaotic for them. After that we had dinner and then some free time. We didn’t know what to do with ourselves.
Sunday
We went to church together, and we were commissioned with the church. We all went up and were introduced. It was very nice. Then we went on a field trip to everyone’s work sites. We all got to use our new unlimited Metro Cards for the first time. 2 of my roommates work downtown so I saw Times Square for the first time. Then we ate at this Indian place on “Curry Road”. We came back had some free time, dinner and more free time.
Monday
We were suppose to take a ferry to Governor’s Island where you can rent bikes and ride around, but it was closed. Luckily we had backup plans. We rode the Stanton Island ferry (it is free!) it goes right past the Statue of Liberty. Then we rode it back and took the water taxi to Ikea! Ikea is in Brooklyn and in order to take the water taxi back you have to be able to fit everything you buy into one of those huge blue bags you buy for 59 cents. I got a few storage boxes and we all go $1.99 rugs. Our floors here are old wood and if you don’t wear shoes you very likely will get a splinter. From the water taxi to the subway is quite a walk. Then the subway ride is about 50 minutes. So you really have to need something to make the all day trip. While waiting for the water taxi to take us there, I had my first street vendor hot dog. Not bad and it was %100 beef. Then we all came back exhausted, played with our Ikea purchases and had free time after dinner. So we went to the grocery store. We only have 2 mini fridges so we have to be very wise with out purchases, and it also means we will probably go to the grocery store about twice a week. Patrick’s mom bought him this big white rolly cart thing. It’s a little embarrassing ( I pushed it last time) but it is amazing and people all over the city have them. We can pile most of our groceries in it and then only have to carry them up our stairs.