I just had the best birthday. My best friend Teresa's husband surprised me and Teresa with a trip to NYC. My birthday is on Nov 7 and her's in on Nov 8 (except not the same yr.--I'm older and wiser!!) :o) We left her house at 4 am Fri. for a 6:20 flight to arrive at JFK at 7:30 am. Early start to weekend. What's open at 7:30 am. (Oh...I forgot we're in NYC--nothing closes!) So we went to our hotel which was at the Hilton (the 40th--not 44th floor). We looked right out our window and there it was. Ground Zero. It was a rather creepy feeling to think that someone must have been right where we were staying on Sept. 11. We did meet a very nice lady on the subway that shared her story of living there at that time and what she experienced. After we checked in we headed off to see the city. After we figured out the subway system (well not really), we went sightseeing. We were the typical tourists. We went to little stores and big ones like Sax 5th Ave. (Really nice I might ad) After a busy day of walking, and walking, and more walking (oh my gosh you don't even know how my feet felt--not happy!) we headed back to our hotel (Hilton, that was) to get ready for the show. We were going to see the Phantom of the opera. How cool that was! Teresa tried so very hard to keep me awake since she did fall asleep the first time she saw it too. Not that it was boring but I had only had 2 hours of sleep the night before. So I managed and it was wonderful. After the show was over we went back on the town. We went to a jazz club that had swing dancing with a live band (glad they weren't dead). After that we went to a comedy club. (probably shouldn't have though) It was rather quite terrible but it was ok because there was another place in the same building that had dueling piano players. They were really good. We danced and had a good time. By that time it was 3:30 and the subway was closed. Now what do we do? So we took a taxi. However the price for the taxi wouldn't be near as bad as it was coming from JFK. Who would have thought it would have cost $45?? Guess we're just country girls. Finally we made it back to our room around 4:00. We were too pooped to pop. Teresa said I snored but I don't think so that was her! We were rudely awakend by the sunshine beating in our window so rise and shine was at 8:30 am. Now we were going on 6 1/2 hours of sleep in 48 hours. We didn't want to sleep in though because we would certainly miss something. Which we did! The TODAY SHOW!! I really wanted to go be a "waver" outside but we missed it. That's ok though because on or tour on Sat. we went down to the "plaza" and waved. :o) We made it to central park finally. It was really beautiful. We had a very nice man (who just happened to be Moroccan) take us on a little bike ride around the park and nicely explained a lot of history. (funny-the American girls didn't know) We asked where he got all of his information and he said online of course. We saw where Celine Dion lives and John Lennon was shot and lots of other fun things like a very large colored man with 2 dressed up pink poodles and one of the names of his poodles was coco channel. Go figure...only in NY. We then went to the American Doll store. Let me tell you...what chaos! I stood back and let Teresa do her thing then we left. There were kids everywhere!! After that we managed to get to China Town. Also VERY crowded. We were so hungry but couldn't find Little Italy. Little did we know we were in it. We thought we were going to be late for our plane (like getting there on 10 min. to spare upon takeoff on Fri.) so we just grabbed some yummies on the street. (well not literally--but it was good) We were only misplaced a few times over the course of 2 days but never lost. By the end of the day on Sun. we think we figured out the transit system. Next time we go we'll be pro's. So that was it, time to go home and let me tell you it felt sooo good to be in my bed (alone--w/o Teresa snooring-ha!) We did have the best time and I can't wait to do it again. (especially for free-ha ha!!)
