Last week I wrote about our first day in the Big Apple. I’m going to share the remainder of the trip today. All in all, it was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable of vacations yet.
Saturday morning saw us meet up with family, Jack and Steve. They happened to be in the City for the night by chance and we decided to meet to catch up. One of their friends recommended we try a place call Friedman’s (132 W 31st St), which has an entirely glutton-free menu. Rather than take the subway down, the hubby and I decided to walk from the timeshare.
If you’ve never been to New York, a walk anywhere can be a most interesting adventure. This walk took us down 7th Avenue right through Times Square. Now Times Square is always interesting—full of people, performers, vendors, hackers, and bright lights even in the middle of the day. On this particular day there was a gigantic hot dog smack dab in the middle of the square. Don’t ask me why the hot dog was there because I don’t know, and end the end, does it really matter? A gigantic hot dog doesn’t really need an explanation, it is an experience.
Along the way we also found Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, a statue in honor of the garment district (a big button being threaded), the Macy’s flagship store, and had a little sit-down in Herald’s Square. Penn Station has a space age kind of entrance that was truly fascinating. Madison Square Garden was, well Madison Square Garden (I would like to attend an event just to see the inside). The button was just plain cute, and we did go shopping at Macy’s after our meal where I found some really good deals on shirts.
While looking for the Friedman’s, we also walked by a Franciscan Church. What was most interesting was there was an actual Friar out front. He was talking to what appeared to be a homeless man, checking to see if the man needed any help. It was shocking, which it shouldn’t have been, because I’ve very rarely seen, if ever, an actual religious person on the actual street offering food and shelter to those in need.
Lunch was quite fun. Always nice to catch up on the affairs of loved ones and meet new ones. While waiting for Jack and Steve, the hubby and I were in a “race” with another potential patron on which of our parties would show up first to claim the only available outdoor table—we won by the way. Jack and Steve filled us in on their events of last evening as did we them. Three of us had the B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato sandwich—hold the lettuce for me), and the hubby had a B.L.A.T. (bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato sandwich). We only reluctantly had to end our time together because this white boy was getting some major sun.
Our trip to Macy’s was after lunch. And hey, since we were in the garment district, the hubby clicked that Mood, of Project Runway fame, should be close. He found it, meaning we had to do a side trip to check out this famous pop icon (to us), while in the neighborhood. Let me just say, if you can’t find what you need in terms of fabric and accessories in this store, it doesn’t exist. Aisle after aisle, and floor after floor, just filled with anything a seamstress/seamster, designer, or quilter could ever imagine wanting. Sadly, no Tim Gunn or Runway contestants were in sight.
After a quick cat nap, and nosh at the timeshare, it was off to the reason our trip had been planned, a Broadway musical. We had tickets to see Merrily We Roll Along starring Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Daniel Radcliffe (who sadly was not there for us, but the understudy was great). It is a story of three friends and the decisions they made to get where they were in life, but in reverse. The story began with present day and worked its way back to when the friends first met. Oddly, it worked. Oddly, it was provocative in some ways. And most oddly, but maybe not, it was reflective. After the show we talked about how the many decisions, choices, and people we met throughout our lives helped shape how we ended up where we are now. Such as how two people who grew up poor and poorer, ended up visiting New York and seeing a Broadway show. Something neither thought would be within the realm of possibility growing up.
Sunday saw us doing breakfast at the timeshare, the Broadway Museum, RiseNYC, pizza for lunch, and a dinner cruise. The Broadway Museum was the hubby’s idea, and since he was game for RiseNYC, I was game for the museum. Let me tell you though, the Broadway Museum was so fascinating. Who knew so many of the people I enjoy on TV and the big screen had their starts or stints on Broadway. Plus it takes one through the entire process of a Broadway production. The best thing though was a 3-D model of the production of Wicked. It shows what happens backstage, under the stage, during pre-production, the audience entering, and the actual show. I wouldn’t have said this before going, but if you are in NYC anytime soon, I highly recommend a visit to the Broadway Museum. Set aside at least two hours to get the full experience. Then walk across the street to RiseNYC.
At RiseNYC, one goes through a series of seven installations. The installations each represent a pivot point that helped New York become well, New York. It all starts with a subway “ride” from the original subway station. A bonus was meeting Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street. As a finale, there is an immersive ride that took us on a flyover of the City complete with a snow storm and Times Square countdown. Set aside about ninety minutes to truly enjoy it all.
We did a quick stop for pizza before a Sunday catnap to be fresh for the dinner cruise. There was a dress code for the dinner cruise, so for the second time in a year, I had to don some dress shoes—I’m usually a tennis shoes only kind of guy. I’m a fast walker, but for this journey to the pier, it was a much more leisurely pace due to the shoes. Walking there we passed a venue that would be fun to visit on our next trip, the Chelsea Market. It has a variety of little stalls and restaurants that looked interesting through the window.
Once on the boat, we just couldn’t decide where to sit. In one spot, a table for two, we were told we had to sit on the other side of the the boat at the six tops. Wandering over, of course many spots were already taken, except for one table where a sole woman was sitting. It looked like she was alone and although I don’t mind eating alone and she may have been as well, I felt pulled to sit at that table. Serendipitously, she was from Albuquerque of all places. The more we talked, the more we saw how we may have crossed paths at some point in the Duke City. She works where our son now works. She lived in the neighborhood that was next to our old one. And, the hubby most likely had run by her place when he was in a running club. I’m certain we shopped at the same grocery store.
As we cruised down the river into Upper New York Bay, just as you’d think, the views were spectacular to see. Thankfully the weather cooperated to allow cruisers to be on the outer decks for lots of picture taking. And there were a lot of pictures being taken.
On the boat with us was a group dressed entirely in white. The reason for the white dress was everyone in the group were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary as a nod to pearl, the 30th year gift.
Just the city views would have been worth the cruise, but the pièce de résistance was how close we got to Lady Liberty. Other cruises I’ve been on have floated by the statue, but this boat put us, what felt like, right up next to her. This was first time for me though to see Lady Liberty with her lights all lit up. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. All I could keep thinking though was, when are we, as a nation, going to live up the ideals in the meaning of what this national treasure represents.
Our last day was set aside to go to the obligatory timeshare sales pitch. It can feel apprehensive as it does take a fair amount of time, and there is somewhat of a pressure push to purchase more points, but it can also be beneficial. Just by attending, there are perks given, such as bonus bucks that we’ve used to cover much of our meal costs during past visits. Our intention, since we had just upgraded last year, was to walk in, say thanks but no thanks, and be on our way.
Of course that is what happened…not!
In a nutshell, there was a deal offered we couldn’t pass up, and long-term it will be well worth it. Plus, with this deal, we have reached the point we had as a goal, and never have to sit through a sales push again. Next time, we just step in, say hello, collect our perk, and say good-bye. It has been a long journey, but I’m glad we took it.
Once we finished, we checked out and went for lunch. These sales sessions can be tiring, so it was nice to just sit. Our last meal of the trip was at Acadia (57th/6th), a Mediterranean food restaurant. The hubby decided upon the Acadia burger and fries, I chose Shakshuka. Shakshuka is an Israeli dish consisting of eggs cooked in tomato paste. I’m an adventurous eater and will try almost any food at least once, but still wasn’t quite sure what would arrive on my plate. Let me just say this, the hubby said his burger was one of the best he had ever had. And the Shakshuka, it was fantastically delicious to the point I want to try and make it at home. The egg, the seasoned tomato paste, and the bread were just so good together!
Since we had just made a purchase at a new property, of course we had to walk down to see it. We schedule our flights later in the evening to allow for almost a full day in New York before flying home. There was just enough time to walk by the property. Our hope was we might even get to see the inside, maybe even a room of the size we bought. The latter didn’t happen, but we did get to see the welcoming outdoor spaces for relaxing and the owners lounge. Not all of the benefits are in place yet. According to the manager, not enough units have been sold yet, but should be in place when we next visit as they expect to reach the 50% purchase threshold needed by the end of this year.
It was off to the airport afterwards and home and the princess (our dog). As with anyone, we all look forward to the vacation, and then we all look forward to sleeping in our own beds at the end. Surprisingly, our flight was not full and we actually left early, meaning with the direct flight, we made it home earlier than expected. I mean it was still light out when we pulled into the drive.
I love going to New York and go through withdrawal when I get home. A goal is to live for a year in that city to get the full effect of being a New Yorker. My thinking is, if I keep putting it out to the universe, it will come true. Who knows, stranger things have happened.
Until next time, miss you Big Apple!
Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man 