Barnes and Nobles: An Unexpected Treasure:

  After a week of late nights in Olin and Mann Library, I always get a little antsy by the weekend. So yesterday, when I came to the traffic light in the middle of Collegetown, instead of going straight onto College Avenue towards Olin Library, I made a left in search of a new destination in unfamiliar territory. I made a left onto 13, almost subconsciously turned into the Wegmans parking lot, but I made myself wave instead and keep on driving. The next parking lot I drove into was packed. Ithacans of all ages and sizes were walking to and from their car from what I thought was Walmart but little did I know the source of this crowd was Barnes and Nobles. Finally I got a parking spot, and lugged all of my books into the megastore. I naively walked from the front of the store to the back of the store in search of the source of the crowd but I couldn’t find it. Eventually I retraced my steps and went left at the front of the store, again nothing. It was only when I turned right in the front of the store did I discover the hidden gem. A large spacious, sit-down area with a huge café. I don’t’ know if it was the change of scenery from the Cornell libraries that made me so happy but I definitely was pleasantly surprised. What seemed to be an additional seating area was filled with rows and rows of chairs. I asked a store personnel why the chairs were arranged in such a way. He told me they frequently had book signings as well as visiting authors and that they were expecting one today. All in all, this quest for a work space turned into a great discovery. I got my physics problem set done, indulged in a great latte, sat in on my first book signing, knit two rows in my endless scarf project and found one of the best magazine selections in Ithaca. I am glad that I made that left instead of going straight. Lessons I learned today: Wegmans is always going to be there and it is healthy to try something new. Just because there is a Walmart near does not mean that the area has lost all hope. 

Don’t Get Bitter Just Because It’s Bitter:

So my decision to travel around Ithaca (mainly Cornell) this week was not driven by my curiosity. It was driven by some of the coldest weather that I have ever experienced. Ithaca offered some of its finest temperatures, forms of precipitation, and wind chills. And wow were those Cornell kids cranky. I couldn’t help but laugh when I walked from class to class catching quick glimpses of fellow student faces hidden behind their parkas, neck-warmers and scarves. And then there were some that were just moving their cheeks around to get the blood re-circulating through their red cheeks. My laughing resulted in tearing which instantaneously froze on my cheeks. After enduring the long trek to the vet school in the very am, I decided enough was enough. I spent the rest of the day finding places that took my mind of the cold and that were able to thaw my entire body.

First stop: Mandible’s Café. Location: The Ag Quad. For those of you who don’t have class there or feel as if the Ag Quad is too long a walk, trust me when I say it is completely worth the extra steps. Compared to Seattle’s Best (or as I like to call it: Seattle’s Worst) coffee offered in places like Olin Café/Trillium, Mandible’s has the crème of the crop. Latte’s made with style, homemade yogurt parfait, burritos, a surprisingly large selection of bagels, friendly staff: they have it all. Although some would think it to be slightly pricey, I find that there a cup of coffee made with love is such a better deal than 3 cups of urine flavored java from Seattle’s Worst. Tip: if the line is too long for the prepared specialty drinks, skip them and go for Gimmee’s generic selection against the wall when you walk in, it is just as good and just as strong!

Just as I was getting cozy in Mandible’s with my recycled spoon made out of potato and perfectly foamed latte, premed duty called and I had to venture back out into the cold and to physics. As I walked, slipped, fell, my latte and I made it to our next class. That journey also got me thinking, right after physics I had to go back out in the cold, where could I take cover for another warm feeling? Second Stop: Dragon Café. Location: Arts Quad. I would say their coffee selection is inferior to Mandible’s, but that was not my reason for stopping. This pit-stop was intended for a sweet-fix. Behind the common selection of wraps, sushi, salads that can be found in any dining hall, Dragon Café sports the largest candy selection on campus. Twix, Snickers, Milkyway, and my favorite: Reese’s Peanut Butter cups. Heaven. The chocolate coupled with the overall artsy aura of the building satiated my yen for sweets as well as my need to shield my face from the ice-storm that was occurring outside. Tip: if you’re not in the mood for the classic chocolate bar, go for one of the homemade desserts offered on top of the counter, they are just as good and just as sweet.

Climbing the steps from Dragon Café, I was bombarded with her again. Mother nature’s wrath kicked my ass all the way across the Arts Quad, through central campus and just before frost-bite consumed my fingers and toes, I was saved. Third stop: Stella’s Café. Location: Collegetown. It took me a few minutes to stop slurring my words due to loss of sensation in my mouth and face but eventually I was able to ask the barista what she recommended. Before I could even take my glove off, a large, ivory tea-pot emerged on the counter, the steam hit my face and I knew it was meant to be true. I really don’t think she understood my question but I do think she was fluent in winter and knew from the look on my face that I was in dire need of a hot beverage. Earl grey tea infused with lavender, a tea-pot enough for 3 cups, never once did it get cold. I eventually mustered up enough energy to go back to the menu and take in as much as a could. Incredible coffee selection, salads, sandwiches, soups. As you walk from the front of the café to the back you get farther and farther away from the front windows and into the depths of Stella’s. The cozy mood is enhanced with great lighting, local artist’s work, chill music and warm colors. Tip: don’t get the café part confused with the restaurant part, they are separate areas, the café is on the right and the restaurant is on the left. If you do accidentally enter the restaurant first and don’t want to go back outside, go to the bathrooms in the back, they are shared by both the café and restaurant, follow the signs for the café. 

Although I didn’t want to leave, my day had come to an end, and I don’t think my kidneys could endure any more liquid. Besides, Stella’s is less than 30feet away from my apartment. 30feet was nothing in comparison to my vet school am trek. Lessons I learned this week: plan your day accordingly, think ahead and those 5 minutes of frigid temperatures can easily be coupled with 15 minutes of either a warm beverage, a chocolate bar, or a cozy café.

Third Most Educated City In The United States

I can remember when I first came to Ithaca, I fell into the trap of believing that the city had nothing to offer me. It was winter. I was young. It was cold. But, after my first semester at Cornell I began to realize why so many Cornellians, so many townees, so many people endure these winters and enjoy what "the third most educated city in the U.S." has to offer. This blog should be used as a reference for those non-believers that feel that Ithaca is lacking in several areas or for those that know nothing about Ithaca. My weekly travels will include explorations throughout the city and incorporate useful tips or general explanations of a broad range of must-sees in Ithaca (restaurants, stores, landmarks etc.). My tidbits can be as simple as -a bar that serves the best beer and rarely cards- or -where exactly the Greenstar Cooperative Market is located. So please feel free to check it on a weekly basis to see if something strikes your fancy and I can promise you that Ithaca is more than an educated, cold, green city, it is oh so much more.