I asked if he did anything different this time. He said no. But the inspector definitely noted how many times he had taken the test before. He said, if he wanted to find something he probably could have.
I'm so proud of him. When he called to tell me the good news he sounded like a 16 year old, which is the age most Americans become licensed drivers. He said he was actually nervous. We thought the ordeal was finally over. But no. After you pass the test they make you wait for hours to receive the finished license.
Russell's test was at 12:30, but he didn't actually take possession of the license until 5pm. He said by the time he stewarded the paperwork through all the windows it had about 20 stamps on it. Geez, this is more difficult than bringing a fruit basket into the country.
But now we're free, free! Armed with a drivers license and a dog kennel, we can rent a car and explore the country side. I can't wait.
We decided to celebrate.
I'd always wanted to try the New York Grill. You know, the place in the movie "Lost in Translation" where Bill Murray sits in the bar after the Suntory photo shoot, clips still holding his jacket taut. Yeah, that's the one. When we called I thought there's no way we're going to get a reservation. It's 6:30 Friday night and Russell wanted reservations for 8pm. I guess they're not that busy in August. We got in.
Russell asked them if we could bring our own bottle of wine with us since we were celebrating a special occasion. They enthusiastically inquired about the occasion. I could hear the receptionist laughing when Russell told her. "Um, I just got my Japanese drivers license."
Thank goodness we brought our own wine. Although the wine choices are exalted, the list is tragically over-priced. The food was excellent. I ordered the "Central Park" five-course pre-fixe menu. Russell ordered four items a la carte. His caesar salad was a meal in itself.
Yet after our sumptuous meal, sure enough, the waiter brought flicking candles glowing over a celebratory dessert. Russell's dessert was better than mine. House made cherry ice cream. I had to help him eat it.
Finally!
The happy driver.
The proud wife.
Then we went to the bar where in the movie "We're Sausalito" played. There was a band, just like in the movie. The bar was packed and they charged us a cover charge, even though we had just eaten in their restaurant. The singer was a woman but she wasn't a red head. Actually, she was blonde. We stayed for one drink, not Suntory, and the view.
Congratulations Russell.
The amazing view from the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt.
Bar scene.
Bill sat at the end.
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