What do you do when you’re in NYC with friends just for fun? Well, for one thing you go to the Whitney Biennial (which you get to by walking down the High Line…but that’s another story). The Whitney has become my favorite museum in the city. The Biennial was interesting, but not really much more interesting than the usual stuff on display at the Whitney. Of course, the usual stuff is usually great.
The top floor of the Biennial is downright anxiety inducing.
Are we living in a computer simulation? Don’t ask Dave.
The Phillips Collection remains one of my favorite art museums. The incredible level of curation at the new Picasso exhibit shows why. Great combinations in addition to world class art. Top notch.
For those who know their picasso, this is early stuff, basically 1901-1904 (including the blue period).
We went to the show as a last birthday present of the 38th year. Thanks Romey. What an excellent present, art with the ones you love.
PICASSO
NOT PICASSO
My favorite painting at the Phillips.
In a new spot.
After art, we were hoping to have brunch at the Bistrot Du Coin, but once again the google hours were wrong. Fortunately, there was La Tomate to fill in admirably. We had lots of cacio et pepe. Ahhhh.
The Man Ray exhibit in Richmond is well worth a visit, especially when you surround yourself with friends. Romey set up this visit to the VMFA with Stan. Gorgeous pictures, interesting technique, and oh the gossip!
There were the famous.
picasso
The dead.
Dead Proust
The musical.
Stravinsky
The queer.
Barbette
Some film (with a modern soundtrack by Paul Mercer called Emak-bakia)
The weather was iffy with heavy rain to come. But the night started out beautifully enough as the tiki torches were lit. And we were off on the experimental solstice fire on xmas edition.
The afternoon was balmy at 65 degrees
Who ordered this crazy weather? This has to be the warmest winter solstice on record.
The scene
Tikis wink on
The highlight of this year’s fire was a set of busted up instruments that Josh brought out. We used a 3/4 size bass (well, what used to be one anyway) to light the fire.
The logs this year were immense as the ash tree that once held the treehouse came down over the summer. One or two of the giant logs still remain.
The lighting.
Turn the sun!
Meanwhile back in the barn, the super dangerous Boilo was out and the keg was tapped. The food was plentiful and included both shrimp and carrot cake.
All’s well in the party barn
We started into a wobbly rendition of “let it snow” and the torrential rain pushed us first under the tarp and then up into the barn. Where we proceeded to play even more xmas music in sing-along mode and drink way too much boilo.
Things get a little hazy after that. But the sun has turned, so we got our main job accomplished.
Two days later, the fire is still smoking. Thanks to all who came.
Bergen has its first Michelin star restaurant, called Bare. We finagled our way in and had an incredible 14 course meal. Always go to fancy pants dinners with really fun friends. We laughed as much as we ate.
Course 1 (this was a pre-dinner bar treat)
The paparazzi have arrived
Course 2 (also in the bar)
Course 3 came in a beautiful dish. Each was different.
Course 4 was lil tacos (still in the bar)
Finally, we moved into the dining room. BTW, a hint about having a meal like this. say YES to all possibilities (like the caviar course and the wine pairing option). Always YES.
Starting the meal
Cider and a fist
Course 5 (sea urchin) with the cider
Our first wine (blanc de blanc) with the caviar
The incredible caviar course (number 6). very creamy.
Were we happy?
Course 7 wine: sauvignon blanc
Course 7 was calamari (which I usually don’t eat)
More paparazzi
The bread arrives
Now the paparazzi are out of control!
Wine for the crab
Course 8: alaskan crab with barley
Wine from Santa Barbara
Course 9: king crab and parsnip
wine
You will like the wine!
Wine
Course 10: lamb and mushroom
wine from Italy
Course 11: reindeer
sweet wine
Course 12 into the sweets (with blue cheese topping). Wow.
The funicular is being renovated, so a walk to the top was in order. The walk was easy and beautiful. It proceeds in stages, zooming out as you gain in elevation.
If you start with cake, you must hike to the top.
icicle
Listen to the drips.
proof
Then the slide down.
Then a visit to No Stress for a Negroni before heading out on the metro.
This iteration of Norway in a Nutshell was a one day jaunt out of (and back to) Bergen. Things got underway early (around 8:40) at the Bergen train station. The trip went Bergen–>Voss–>Gudvangen–>Flåm–>Myrdal–>Bergen (through Voss). Arrival at home was 6pm.
Of course the day was perfect and the light was beautiful. Even the clouds of Bergen parted temporarily as we departed.
Here’s how the day went. After a delicious breakfast in Bergen at the Børs hosted by the delightful Dalia, we walked to the plastic-wrapped train station and found our place.
Masked on the train to Voss
It was still early in Voss and the 15 minute connection wait for the bus was uneventful.
Voss station (the blue appears)
The bus to Gudvangen is roomy and nice. But no wifi this time (WTF?!). The trip took about an hour, leaving 45 minutes to have some cocoa and walk around in Gudvangen.
Waterfall from a bus
On the way to Gudvangen
Majestic and way bigger than this picture makes clear
Looking back to Gudvangen
The bridge
The fjord was simply magical
A crystal clear day with little wind left the Fjord a gigantic deep mirror.
The ferry arrives
Since we were touring on off season (and during a pandemic), snacks were harder to come by than on previous Norway in a Nutshell runs. Even the ferry (which usually has a nice snack bar with various food items) was limited to coffee and tea. Bring along some snacks.
The two hour ferry ride is nothing short of stunning.
Pretend Viking boat
The ferry (very upscale)
These days, the ferry (which can comfortably hold 400) is a super modern, quiet boat with lots of room. It is also fast.
Pole position (with a charger)
Just as we departed, some base jumpers blew in from on high. Check out this spectacular landing.
