Life Is Too Short Not to Eat and Drink Well

A Day in the life of COVID-19 in NYC recap

by - The Velo barber

Yesterday I went exploring. I wanted to ride my new Trek gravel bike in nature but as i was heading to do the “normal river road nature escape route” I was shocked to see the empty streets of New York. Usually  in holidays or New Years you get the chance to see empty streets, but seeing these streets on a Sunday in spring is something from a movie. There was NO ONE OUTSIDE. It was a Ghost town. The voice of adventure told me to  stay in the city and just check out spots that I wanted to get shots of with no one around instead... A chance of a lifetime to get the perfect shot.  On bike I had the freedom to roam down the middle of 5th, Park, and 6th ave and see places that are usually packed with tourist. As I stopped in Bryant  park I took the time to sit and be still. To feel some sun on my face and thank God for the little moments of bliss. 

Opportunities like these are ones that spark creativity. As my bike lay rested on a pole and the sun gleaned on its fresh red paint. I saw as few other people practicing social distancing.  I FaceTimed my friend in Brazil  checking up on her making sure she was ok, we talked and talked until the sun went away and I started to get cold. She was hungry and wanted to go to the supermarket to get some cheese but was scared due to the corona virus to go inside. She mentioned her Italian skills in the kitchen and told me there’s few things she knows how to make but Italian food is def one of them. she mentioned how easy it is to make risotto, now I love risotto, but have never made it myself. So I asked her to show me how to make it. She shared with me a link in Portuguese to make a simple recipe.

As we said our goodbyes a thought came into my head. I still wanted to check out one more site, the flat iron building. Since I’ve always found it difficult to capture the beauty of the building without having thousands of people in the way. I thought now would be a great time. I rode down, I took my shots, and looked over to see a security guard standing outside. I thought it was strange as he wanted me to take a picture of him as he posed too. Crazy enough a simple smile, click, boom,  got the shot.. it was all it took. We spread joy, a smile, and  positive waves to one another without having any contact. I thought why is he standing there? Not realizing that Eataly was right there, I thought Is Eatly Open!?!? I can probably get risotto and Parmesan cheese!!!! ! I rolled up to him and asked.. is this open and can I get parmesan cheese here? He looked at me and said “Bro this is Eataly you can get  anything you want, it’s open come on in”. 

In this time of isolation I thought this is probably the worst place I can be with the situation in Italy being so bad with coronavirus, but I’ve come to the source if i want risotto!!!! I assumed  it would be closed but then  remembered Eataly is a supermarket with its many restaurant inside so it is a necessity and a goldmine in times like these.  I asked the security guard if i can bring my bike in, he suggested I leave it outside and he’d watch it.  I insisted to bring it in right around the corner out of sight where it wouldn’t bother anyone. He offered to stand outside to watch it if I left it outside, but I’m New Yorker and The Velo Barber… I won’t leave my bike outside anywhere with anyone to enter a place. If i can’t go in with my bike you don’t have my business.. I don’t own a lock, and  it’s not worth the risk.. I’ve learned my lesson.. So I smiled and insisted to bring it inside so that “he wouldn’t have to stand outside and watch it  in the cold“;) he smiled and let me pass.  The security guard looked at me with a smile and said you know what? Out of all the bike people that came in today you were the first to bring your bike in. I looked back at him and smiled and said thank you my man, much appreciated really means the world! 

I walked in laughing In search for the Parmigiana cheese like a kid in a candy shop, but since there were SOO MANY OPTIONS of cheese, I had to ask someone to help me and find  it. I then searched for risotto, but again needed help finding it as well. Once I found the isle of pastas and such, I had to FaceTime my friend again to show me which one I should get since there were so many options and different kinds of risotto. She was laughing and screaming at me to get out of that place because it is such a  high risk place and didn’t want to loose me over risotto. My heart was pounding, my hyperactive attention fixed on every body around me paranoid, but i was determined. The thought of risotto was fixed in my brain!

I got the risotto but not before seeing a can of white truffle cream... That’s when my mouth dropped and I started to laugh and dance in my cycling tights and shoes. In the mist of chaos and pandemic,  I found joy and peace searching for risotto. For a brief moment I completely forgot all the problems in the world that was happening around me. A lady caught me dancing and started to laugh since she saw my face full of pure joy and excitement over this truffle. I wished her a good day and kept on going!  I couldn’t help but laugh and smile thinking of FaceTiming Freddy Spaghetti and having him teach me how to make pizza dough over FaceTime. I was going to use this cream truffle  sauce as a substitute for his infamous truffled pizza that I crave and would die for... 

After getting everything  I needed I walked as fast and quickly as I could to the register. I tried my best to walk gracefully in these cycling shoes making stiletto like clack clack calk sounds. I had to GTFO of this potentially corona virus infected tank. As I waited in line to check out reality struct again.. on the floor were suggested markers of where people should be queuing up. They were spaced appropriately for “Social Distancing”. I didn’t have a bag so I couldn’t take a picture of the floor since my hands were full, but as I  finally reached the counter I saw some focaccia bread that I thought would be a divine addition to compete my risotto dish. My whole adventure to the  grocery store was complete.. or so I though. The icing on the cake was when I saw something that made my naughty adventure through enemy territory whole.  Nothing made me laugh and smile more than to see the shopping bag that said “Life’s too short to not eat and drink well”. I though to my self, no Risk no reward, Carpe Diem, Italians know best!! I needed a bag to put my stuff in so I told the cashier can I please have “that one” as I pointed with excitement. As the cashier laughed at my situation, bagged my groceries in my new tot bag, I smiled and said thank you for what you are doing to the cashier. He really seemed to appreciate what I said as he smiled back. 

Yesterday was really a Sunday funday adventure. I was able to explore new roads, test out this new bike, and eat the best dinner I think I’ve ever made. But the moral of this story is not about my food adventure, but about Being a Blessing!  In these crazy times it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when our normal world has come to a halt. With social distancing as the only option we have to combat this virus, we need to try our best to do our part and connect in other ways. In this life we are not alone, we are all in this together, and we need each other to learn how to adapt.  There will be times where you have all the options in front of you, but you still need that expert helping hand to guide you to make the right choice. (keep your distance, Social Distance) Its always better if we help each other out (from a distance for now). Show love compassion and kindness to whomever you meet. whether that’s a stranger in the streets, or your friends half way around the world. Inspire each other to create, show love, and share ideas. if we each do our part, Together we can learn and grow from this. Never forget to say thank you, show a smile, and be a blessing. You never know what adventure can come from it. 

God bless and Be a blessing

Sincerly

Julien

The Velo Barber