January 2013 - New York, New York!

On January 9^th, Judy and I took off for New York for a mini-getaway.  Skating at Rockefeller Centre was on our “bucket list” and over a year ago we had vowed to make this happen on her sabbatical year.  Went skating the very first day – I think there were way more photo shoots than skating going on!  Not just us, but everybody. 

 

 

In the evening we saw a great new Tony-winning musical called “Once” – a bittersweet story about Irish musicians and a Czech love interest.  There was no orchestra and the actors all played their own music right on the stage which I really enjoyed.  Before the play started the bar was on the stage (the set background) with all the musicians playing Celtic music, then it just kind of morphed into the start of the play.  Heck, any place where I can get a glass of wine in a sippy cup is good by me!   http://www.oncemusical.com/

 

 

Next day we did some knock-off shopping which was quite the experience.  You stand on a street corner and select your new purse from a laminated brochure, then runners go back to the secret warehouse and get it for you, all the while watching for cops.  If you want a bracelet they roll up their coat sleeve and display their wares and you “shop from their wrist”.  Rather surreal.  Pastrami on rye lunch at Katz’s Deli (where Harry Met Sally - "I'll have what she's having!") then saw the World Trade Centre Memorial.  That night we saw a stand-up comedy show in the place you would recognize from the start of Seinfeld episodes.

Last day there we took the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  Parts of the ferry terminal were closed due to damage from Hurricane Sandy, as well as the Statue of Liberty (you couldn’t disembark at the statue itself).  Afternoon lined up again at the same-day ticket booth, and then we were seen on one of the huge screens in Times Square! 

 

 

Early supper at Bubba Gump’s and then saw the Gershwin play “Nice Work If You Can Get It” starring Matthew Broderick and featuring Blythe Danner.  http://niceworkonbroadway.com/   It was nice to have a mixture of comedy, a new show, and a classic on our trip – all of which neither of us had already seen.  Late night slice of New York cheesecake from Juniors and back to bed for us!  Although on such a mild Saturday night in January, Times Square was absolutely packed with crazies at midnight!

 

 

Great deal on airfare that first week after the kids had to be back to school.  Our hotel was conveniently located a block from Macy’s (at the opposite end of Times Square from Central Park).  We became subway experts and didn’t take a cab once.  Lots of walking though!  We were thankful for the warm weather.

 

 

Got home just in time to get my niece Angiee and we met Jaime and his housemates to see Monsters Inc in 3D.  Out of anyone she was always the one to make the effort to interact with Jaime.  The next day Angiee and I volunteered in Jaime’s classroom so she got to see the different kids and varying abilities.  Angiee is going to university for a special needs career, and right now does individual therapy for 3 autistic children.  We’re so proud of her.  Quick trip up to see the cottage then back out to the airport for her.