Thai food, paused dog, wet walking: Another visit to Princeton and the Watershed Institute

The sunset on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, as seen from the parking deck at Live Casino and Hotel in Southern Philadelphia, Pa.

Photo by the author.

By Matthew E. Milliken
MEMwrites.wordpress.com
March 6, 2023

I took my third trip to Princeton, N.J., on Monday, Feb. 20, which was President’s Day. After walking for more than six miles that morning, I showered, dressed, packed some snacks and hopped into my car to drive to Central Jersey. I came into town from the east/northeast on New Jersey Route 27. That becomes Nassau Street, which fronts the north end of Princeton University’s campus and serves as the town’s main street.

I parked off of North Harrison Street, which runs roughly north–south and intersects with the east side of Nassau. It was a little after 2 p.m. I walked west on Nassau for about half a mile. I turned around in front of Firestone Library and headed back toward my car. Along the way, I mused about where I wanted to enjoy a late lunch.

After stumbling across a small joint named Thai Village, I decided to eat there. I donned a mask, stepped through the door and asked the waiter if I could sit outside. He said it was fine and immediately picked up a menu, a drinking glass and a water pitcher to bring outside. I zipped up my jacket, took my seat and began looking over the menu. I ordered shrimp spring rolls for an appetizer and shrimp fried rice for my entree.