Update after the Gala

Following The Book of Mormon, Wednesday, we slept late, really late...like 10:30 late. It is great to be on vacation. After breakfast at the apartment, we took the subway down to the NYU area and Soho. There were a bunch of cool art galleries that we walked through. The art was great and my frequent response to the art was not that it was too expensive, but rather it was too big for our walls. On the way into one gallery, we saw Keith Richards on the street. Even though others were having their picture taken with him, we resisted the urge, but at least took a mental picture of him. He is very skinny and looks wasted. Ah, the life of a rocker. Back to the apartment, then to dinner at a burger restaurant where the burger showed up 2 minutes after we ordered it. The burger was so thick that you literally couldn't get your mouth around it. It was great, but very messy. We did a little shopping for groceries at a couple stores capping off a day with 5 3/4 miles of walking.

Thursday found us at the American Museum of Natural History. It was fascinating although we only got through half of it. It was filled with kids, so we didn't get to see as much of the dinosaurs as we would have liked to. We will have to find another day with fewer kids. We walked to a bakery for a snack and then more grocery shopping. Soon the kitchen will be stocked just like in Mesa. Felice made dinner at home and then we went for a 3/4 hour walk up 97th Street up to the Hudson River, So we totalled 5 1/2 miles for the day and on the way back to the apartment, Felice saw her first rat. Yes this is NY.

As an aside, NY may think it is the sports capital of the country (or world) but it is not. I had to stay up until 10:00 to watch the start of the Dbacks and Coyotes games. The Coyotes of course messed up with 14.2 seconds left and gave up a goal sending the game into overtime. I was up past 1:00 to see the end of the game. It is no wonder there is an east-coast sports bias because they never get to see our west coast games. We need to do something about that.

Friday was a day I had been talking about since the original plan for the trip was hatched, The Lower East Side Tenement Museum. It always seemed like it was an obscure enough attraction that one would never get there in a normal 3 to 5 day visit. We toured a couple apartments and it was a moving experience knowing that our ancestors found their way to the US through Ellis Island and then wound up in places like this. It was fascinating that the first apartment was one where the residents ran a sewing "factory" in this apartment that consisted of a bedroom, kitchen and small living room. It was about 1/3 of the size of the apartment we are subletting here in NY. There were 4 employees including the father. The second apartment slept 6 including the parents, two sons and two daughters. I cannot convey how meaningful the one hour tour was and I think that this is a museum that should not be missed. From there we went to Katz Deli, famous for the scene from "When Harry Met Sally" where Rob Reiner's mom says, "I'll have what she's having." We saw the actual table.  The corned beef and pastrami sandwich was pretty good. My brother will identify when I say that when in NY, be prepared to spend $15 to $20 for a sandwich. That's just the way it is. We then went to a bakery called "Russ & Daughters" recommended by Susan Wells. Very good Babka, and we are still eating it. Home by subway with a stop at the grocery. Only walked 3 1/2 miles, but this was a tougher walk as I sprained an ankle and Felice's knee got tweaked. I still think I am 26, though.

Saturday taught us that when we had finally gotten a little cocky and thought we had this NY subway thing mastered, that reality is a bit cruel. We planned a trip up to the Bronx to see the Bronx Museum for a baseball exhibition and then if time permitted, go up to the Hall of Fame for Great Americans. We went to our subway station and waited for our regular B Train. After about a half hour we started to think that perhaps we were missing something. We came to find out that the B Train doesn't run on weekends and late at night. Who knew? So we changed out train plans and eventually got to the Museum. While it was interesting, it was not up to the standards we expected. Coming back, we missed our train change to get to a different line to get up to the Hall of Fame. We decided that the backtracking would be too time-consuming and decided to stay on the train we were on. Of course we didn't realize it became an express and we wound up at 59th Street. From there we figured out how to get back home that is with a walk along Broadway, a stop for cash at Wells Fargo, dinner at a Thai Restaurant and a stop at Zabar's, which was a zoo. A neighbor of ours here refers to shopping there as being hand to hand combat. We stopped elsewhere for bagels and chocolate ruggalah. Both were just okay. 4 1/4 miles walked and now some serious relaxation.

Sunday started very promising when Felice found a green market to go to. Turned out it was more of a swap meet, but Felice bought 4 to 8 portions of special pasta. We dropped it off at the apartment and then walked into Central Park. We watched the citizenry of NY City recreate. Very interesting watching all the different permutations of families and their antics. Sure glad we raised Eric and Lauren in Mesa. We stopped at a grocery store and brought the food home and then to Whole Foods for a few specialized things like grated Parmesan cheese. Are you getting to see a pattern here? Anyway, we walked 3 3/4 miles and went home to recover from our knee and ankle problems.

Monday was like a Sunday back home. After breakfast we did laundry, Felice worked for awhile and I tried to keep my ankle on ice. So we rested up in the afternoon because tonight was the Gala for Our Time, at the Skirball Center at NYU. Our Time is a not-for-profit organization that Lauren has volunteered for over the last 3 years.

Our Time is a non-profit organization that uses the arts to improve the confidence and communication skills of children who stutter. Through a local New York City-based program and a summer camp open to children from around the nation and abroad, Our Time helps young people transform their fear and shame from stuttering into confidence and determination to reach their fullest potential. Our Time participants gain enriching friendships and experience tangible success, giving them the confidence to overcome the challenges presented by stuttering. (OurTimeStutter.org)

While this was a fundraiser that consisted of a theatrical performance and a dinner, it was really an inspirational event where the audience witnessed first hand how these kids courageously work through their stuttering. They stood on the stage and told their story. I can't imagine there was a dry eye in the audience and I was so proud of the kids and the members of the organization for all they do. The theatrical performance included not only the kids singing and talking but Ron Rifkin, Victor Garber, Rachel Dratch and Jesse L. Martin, not to mention cast members of The Book of Mormon. We then went upstairs for a first class dinner that included a live auction and further fundraising. The auction and fundraising probably netted $200,000 while the tickets for dinner and the performance likely raised the same amount or more. This money is so important as all in city services are free to the kids and their annual summer camp in North Carolina provides significant scholarships. It was definitely a highlight to be there with Lauren and we were so happy to be able to support Lauren at this event. Home on the subway after logging 1 1/2 miles.  While there was very little walking, the walking was in very uncomfortable shoes. But it was quite a rewarding evening. Oh, and from the comfort of my C Train I saw a rat in a station. Big enough to put a saddle on him.

So we are 8 days into the trip and have not been disappointed, but if anything, reinvigorated.

Our Arrival

After all of the planning, we are here in the City. It was very hectic going down to the wire, but I think we got everything done before we left. I made one big mistake after I sent out the Travelogue email. I tried to list in my personal travel journal all of the places we could pick from to go, the recommended restaurants and the Broadway shows to see. After about an hour, I quickly closed all of the travel materials that Lauren had sent us and my personal travel journal because frankly it was overwhelming. New York City is just a big place and there is way too much to pick from to even start a list. But at least we had a starting point and it did get the excitement flowing. Friday was a day to get about 90% of the clothes into suit cases. Saturday was the time to finish all the last minute chores and zip up the suit cases. We were ready to go.

Sunday morning and the day to go to New York was upon us. We awoke very early for our 7:00 flight, which was in the air by 7:07. The planned 5 hour flight was in the air less than 4 hours, if you can believe that and we were actually sitting in our livery vehicle on the way to Manhattan even before our expected landing time. We arrived at our new apartment and shortly thereafter, Lauren arrived with the key.

We were so looking forward to seeing her as well as the product of her work as she selected the apartment and arranged the rental for us. Well, we were not disappointed in either case. Lauren looks great. Clearly she is now a New Yorker. She knows the city, the vibe and is very comfortable here. We went up to the apartment on the 9th floor and Felice and I both were blown away. First of all, it is bigger than our first house in Los Angeles. Second, it is bright and cheery, well appointed and couldn't be better situated. Besides a large bedroom and closet, the living room is big and the dining room seats 6. The kitchen is good size and we have a terrace from which you can see Central Park. Better yet, there is a subway stop within steps of the apartment. So from the time we leave our apartment, go down in the elevator and walk to the subway, it is less than 5 minutes.

The three of us caught up on Sunday night, went out to scout the neighborhood for a grocery store to buy some basic food and then went out to Italian food for dinner. We walked Lauren to a subway stop and we walked back to the apartment, all the while learning our new surroundings. Monday brought a walk in Central Park, which is just beyond the subway stop, and then more exploring. We found at least 5 grocery stores within 2 or 3 blocks of the apartment. It was at this point Felice said that she was comfortable. Lauren came by on Monday and we went to a vegan restaurant, also within a short distance.  We walked Lauren back to a subway station and then we walked to the apartment. We walked about 4 miles that day.

Tuesday was our first foray into public transportation. We figured out the bus system all by ourselves, with a little help from the online schedules and took a bus across Central Park to 5th Avenue, where we walked to the Guggenheim Museum. Besides the regular exhibit which was filled with Picasso's, Van Gogh's, Kandinsky's, etc. there was a metal exhibit of John Chamberlain that was very unique. From there it was walking to a different bus, taking it across the Park and then taking a subway to the apartment. After a quick lunch and some work for both of us, we took a subway to the Theater district where we went to pick up our tickets for The Book of Mormon.(Even though we took 2 buses and 3 subways, we still walked over 5 miles.) Then a meal at Vinyl, a fun, rock themed restaurant and on to the theater.

The Book of Mormon won 9 Tony's last year and has more hype than any show that I can remember other than The Producers and Wicked. While our expectations were high, it was hard to believe that it would live up to the hype. I can only tell you that when we got into the theater, the excitement was palpable. Our seats were great and the show, in a word, "excellent." The songs were fun and the acting expressive. Having not been one that watched South Park, I had no idea what to expect, but suffice it to say that the writers' general reputation of being willing to tackle any issue with humor, and crude humor at that, was lived up to. It was very funny and yes, worthy of all of the hype. The opportunity to see a hot musical early in its run is very exciting and memorable. I am not sure that any other show that we might see while here in New York will live up to what we saw in The Book of Mormon, but it will be exciting to see the multiple shows that Lauren's company produces because we know of all of the love and hard work that she and her fellow employees have put into the shows.

Even though we have been in New York a little more than 2 days, it seems like we have seen and done a lot. But then again, I look at that list and realize that there is so much more to come. 

The first entry in our travelogue

I cannot remember when I first started talking about my dream for retirement of picking a major metropolitan city and taking up residence for two months to experience it as a native would. I am sure that when I first started yapping about it, people thought it was a kooky idea, and perhaps I did too, but at some point my words became action. I think originally Felice agreed to join me figuring that I would move on to some other dream or maybe never really retire so it was just out there as something in the future. Well, the future is here. We cast off for Manhattan this Sunday and we are busily packing and organizing for an extended trip. In the meantime, Felice has been working diligently to close her business and empty the building of everything except the carpeting. As of tonight, all she has left to get rid of are 6 desks, 5 credenzas and two chairs. Great effort on her part and now her clients are being served by both her and the very experienced staff at Travel Destinations. It is a load off of her mind to know that her clients will be cared for in the same way she has for the last 30 years. She will barely have time to wrap up the clean up before she has to go into Passover Seder food preparation mode. Felice is entrusted with matzo balls, chocolate covered matzoh candy and farfel muffins.

A trip such as this has more logistical issues then we could have imagined. I will not bore you with the details but suffice it to say that there are certain things, like paying bills, starting your cars regularly, and so on, that are easy to do when you are physically present, but not so easy to do 3,000 miles away. We have to thank in advance those people who will be taking care of the house in our absence. We also have to thank Lauren for her assistance in finding and renting our apartment in the upper west side, overlooking Central Park. It took a lot of effort to find the place and negotiate our sublet. Besides her real estate assistance, Lauren has already secured for us two seats for The Book of Mormon for the Tuesday right after we arrive. So we have already exceeded our expectations and will be able to see the hottest musical with the original cast. Very exciting. We are also looking forward to getting to see Jersey Boys on Broadway and Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway, both shows that Lauren's company, the Dodgers are producing. There is a chance we will get backstage at some point, but it will be neat to see the product of Lauren's work.

We have been to accumulating lists of things to see, restaurants to eat at and shows to attend, but I will admit that New York is a big place and it is a bit overwhelming. Once we settle in, we will have the freedom to go where we want, when we want and explore without the burden of time constraints that always seem to have limited us to the well known places when we have previously visited New York. Of course we will be will be reading the New York Times, Time Out Magazine and New York Magazine to find things to do and places to go, but we have found over the years that the best places to go are the ones that people we know have gone to. So if you happen to have a favorite place (restaurant, museum, street, store, theater, bar, etc.) please let us know so that we can put it on our list. Our plan is to share with you the highlights of our travels periodically.

Additionally, if you happen to be coming to New York in the next two months, let us know so we can get together. Wishing you a happy holiday and our next entry will be from the Big Apple talking about the Great White Way and so much more.