Unlike many of our travels, this was not prepared months in advance with lots of the the details filled in. It was more last minute, play as you go and we will figure it out when we get there. And the results were surprisingly delightful. Maybe it was the escape after a long busy a year or the lack of elevated expectations, but everything was smooth sailing and quite fun.

We started from Munich so we could fit in a few days of skiing over Xmas. The weather was great, the skiing was awesome, we enjoyed lunch at the hottest mountaintop restaurant in Kitzbuhel, and we had a great dinner paired with my new favorite champagne (which we will revist in the New Years part of the story). We did have one glitch on day 2: Teo’s boot has been a bit tight, so he wasn’t able to ski. But we did our best hack by finding a little lodge off the main gondola with two lovely ladies who watched over Teo while we managed to get in a few runs.

The next morning, we drove to the airport to catch out 9:20am plane (which eventually turned into and 11:20am plane). Luckily, we could relax in the lounge and start with the drinking festivities. After landing, our excellent Uber driver, Dad, whisked us home for a great steak dinner.

The next day we began our new routine of going to the gym every morning — the entire family. (Word has it that some of the other complex gym goers noted the quality of Chika’s stride on the treadmill).

Later, thanks to a fight over a shiny 50 cent piece while waiting in the immigration line, I had the idea to visit the Philadelphia Mint. While it was a little disappointing they only happened to be producing pennies that day, at least we could say there was at least one educational moment in the holiday. As a reward for such a great accomplishment, we treated ourselves for some nice dim sum on Rittenhouse Square at Dim Sum House by Jane G. Dinner (for those keeping track) was shrimp scampi.

Thursday we got to catch up with Michael and family, with an excellent repeat of the kobe burgers (upsized this time). Michael, Chika and I took a small outing to get my new glasses adjusted, explore a cool local food market hall, and pick up some bubbles for dinner. Friday was a beautiful day, so we decided to repeat our hike to Wissahickon park. That evening, Dad and Mom treated us to a lovely dinner at Non Solo Pasta (even though the food was slow and Teo fell asleep).

Friday, Chika and I escaped for date time in New York City. I would never have been able to predict such events, but the weekend evolved into the hunt for, first, the best whitefish salad and then later the best chopped liver/pastrami. But that is what is so lovely about NYC — always discovering new things. Another example was looking for some art supplies for my friend Patrick’s daughters which led us to the fabulously cool Montana Shop (a spray paint specialty store) and to the Ludlow Coffee Supply which had a great flat white (for under $5, which we found to be quite rare in NYC). Then we needed to pick up a very special champagne (Henri Giraud) for the new years which we found the Empire State of Wine had in stock.

While we have had many great Japanese meals, the evening’s dinner at Juku took the prize. Somewhat bittersweet was the fact that when we arrived we learned it was the restaurant’s last night of operation — EVER! But as they say, better late than never. It was truly sublime, unforgettable, and more. Maybe it’s time to make a time machine.

Chika went running in the morning — all the way to Absolut Bagel at 106 and Broadway. What a delight to wake up to fresh bagels and whitefish from my favorite. We then tried to head down to my friend Patrick’s to spend the New Years. But thanks to being in the middle of the city, the city started to close subway stations — including the 1st and 2nd closest to our hotel. We finally did make it, but happily discovered a small Japanese market along the way.

We enjoyed a really nice relaxed New Year’s Eve and overnight hosted by my friend Patrick with his family + another family from the kindergarden (who turns out to be moving to Berlin in the summer!). We enjoyed cocktails, great cheese, lots of wine, champange, grilled pork and more… After toasting in the New Years, Patrick and I pressed on into the night for some late night Bocce and beers (a first for a NYE activity). The next morning, Chika had gone running again bringing a plethora of goodies from the Lower East Side — whitefish, chopped liver, pastrami, corned beef, and even pickles! What a great morning. I also decided to cook the thin sliced waygu beef we had found at the Japanese store into the nouveau steak sandwich — butter grilled leftover baguette, waygu beef, apple/onion (from Patrick’s pork), topped with gruyere cheese. Still working on a name for it. Thankfully Chika accepted my request to drive us to Michael’s for a final family fest.

The final days we took it easy and relaxed without any big plans, which which was suprising given our short trip and yet part of what made it such a pleasant one. We even arrived 3 hours early at the airport (to enjoy our family lounge time) without any issues. I wish life was always this zen.

*Papa was the only one to make it 3x