66 hot dogs and more

It started with a trip to Boston via the Big Apple on June 29 for an annual reunion and cultural extravaganza of our community. A late dinner at an Italian restaurant, a leisurely walk through the Harvard square, a short jog in the morning by the Charles River, and obviously a mega authentic Assamese dinner (that included “Muri Ghanta”) along with cultural program were part of the Boston weekend (6/29-7/2). Then back at the Big Apple (7/2-7/4), dinner at Gyu-Kaku, visit to Bronx Zoo, more dinner (fusion style), walking, climbing, riding sub-ways (no Gym necessary) and finally culminating with a first hand witnessing of the 2007 Hot Dog eating competition at Coney Island. This was a memorable event. Joey Chestnut won the annual Nathan’s Fourth of July competition cramming 66 hot dogs (bun and all) in 12 minutes by dethroning six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi (a relatively small person) of Japan (who ate 63 of those). It is mind boggling to even imagine how a small stomach cavity can hold so much. There were 50000 people and I somehow managed to cling onto a lamppost high up to see this feat. There were chants, “Joey, Joey, USA, USA” when the results were announced and Joey walked away with the big golden belt. Later, we stood in line at Nathan’s to taste some hot dogs. Four of us ate eight hot dogs and we were full. After our rendezvous in NY, we drove to Long Island where we were welcomed with open arms by the parents of our younger daughter’s boyfriend. We had a sumptuous home cooked dinner followed by sipping wine at a winery and a lunch at a restaurant by the ocean the following day. We even played pool while listening to a jukebox in the game room. All in all, it was a hectic, wonderful, memorable vacation week with some wonderful people. Now I am dreading the thought of Monday morning. I guess the cliché “all good things must come to an end” is not totally untrue.