My life got flipped, turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute, just grab a snapple,
I'll tell you how I became the princess of the big apple..
From east Cincinnati, I was born and raised.
In a bowling alley is where I spent most of my days.
Suddenly I realized I was acting a fool,
When my hubby started acting a tool.
My subconscious, it was up to no good.
It started making trouble in my neighborhood.
I got into too many fights, and got real smart,
I took off to DC to make a fresh start.
Insert DC move... and the close proximity to NY.... Resume!
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| My Bus... hehehehe |
I purchased a bus ticket, and when it came near,
Side of the bus was funny, but hey it was here.
The seat was not comfy, but though I knew it would work,
So I thought nah, forget it, yo homes to New York!
I pulled up to the city about a quarter to 11.
And I knew right away, that I was in heaven.
Looked at my kingdom I was ready to dabble
To sit on my throne as the princess of the Big Apple.
Well, it's all over now. I took my second solo, whirlwind trip. This time, I went to New York City! First, a little background history....
It all started a couple of years ago... In my old life, when asked if I wanted to go to New York, I would simply refuse. That city is frightening! All the murders, and mugging! Yikes! It is a giant city, and I'm from a smaller city that is relatively easy to navigate around... Cincinnati, OH. New York was daunting. I believe my solo trip to DC and my subsequent move there, helped me overcome my fears and visit the giant city of fear!
DC has the convenience of being a short, cheap bus ride to New York. I did my research and went with Greyhound (ps. I loved it and they were cheaper than the others). As the trip grew near, nervousness was replaced with excitement!
When we arrived at the Port Authority bus/ subway terminal... I was shocked! New Yorkers are rude, they don't follow standard traffic/safety protocol, and some of them are quite scruffy looking! Somehow, after getting turned around quite a bit, I found my hotel! I stayed just a block from Times Square, at The Milford Plaza Hotel. Again, wow, there were a lot of people! Again, rude people. I decided to try to check in early, so I can get on my way! My room was not only ready, it was on the top floor! All of my worry dissipated. I dropped off my stuff and went on my way!
The first thing I noticed was that my hotel was right next to where The Lion King plays. I knew I was in the right place! I walked over to Times square and was in awe! I nicknamed Times Square as "light street." It was sooo bright, even at lunch time! I quickly found Elmo, and a couple of my favorite stores for a little Black Friday shopping extravaganza before lunch! When lunch time came around, I found all of the tourists at these sardine packed restaurants and did not feel inspired to wait. I wandered around and found a cute little wine bar, with plenty of open tables. I knew that was the place for me! It was everything I would expect from a wine bar! After lunch, I went to find my theater ticket for the night. I stood in a long line and decided fate would help me choose. The big shows were sold out, obviously. I tried and tried to decide what to see, but couldn't. Finally, I asked one of the ticket booth workers. I told him I was thinking about watching Elf. He told me that I wouldn't like it. He said it is funny, but nothing compares to the original. I know my self pretty well, I always compare to the original and am always disappointed. He recommended Peter and the Starcatchers. He told me it was a musical, award winning, and it was funny. I decided that I would decide when I got to the ticket booth. When I got to the window, the guy gave me the price for Elf, for bad seats, and I just couldn't pay that kind of money for something I probably wouldn't like. Fate intervened! For $10 more, I had fantastic seats, in the middle, 3 rows back for Peter and the Starcathers! Sold! I went back to the guy who made the recommendation and told him the news! I was so excited! I had a lovely conversation with him and moved on with my day! More shopping! Very predictable...
Show time! I got all pretty and made my way to the theater. I was running late, so dinner consisted of a hot dog from a street vendor (sadly, it was on my to do list...). I got into the theater and it was beautiful! It was one of the old classic, ornate styles. I was so excited! The play started and it was nothing like anything I've ever seen before! It was by far, the best play I've ever seen! I laughed so hard! It was so creative and witty! The actors were fantastic! They had 12 people for all of the roles through the play! At the end, I was so moved that I had tears in my eyes! Simply fantastic.
My playbill had a restaurant recommendation, and since my phone (with my yelp resources) was practically dead, I took its suggestion. I ended up at this cute french restaurant. I was famished so I asked the server what I should order. She recommended the escargot! Yes, I knew what I ordered. I told myself, you live once and ate away! For the record, the were just okay. She also recommended this wonderful dish, that I tried very hard to eat. I failed. The poor bus boy just kept coming back and encouraging me to eat! I think he thought I had too much to drink... I did. I forgot the prosecco that I ordered came in a bottle... I don't like to waste! (That was after another glass of wine). Oiy. I got back safely, just a touch miserable!
The next morning I set out on a mission. I knew what I had to see, and how long I had to do it. First stop was breakfast.... ok, ok... brunch. I stopped at a cute little wine bar... yes, there is a theme. I just came across it by chance! They seat me at the bar and I have a great conversation with another Ohioan! He was from Sandusky. He was an actor who was trying to make it on Broadway. I will never cease to be in awe of actors! We talked for a bit, so I friended him on facebook. We had mutual facebook friends! In the middle of New York City! Crazy stuff!
Feeling full after a delicious brunch... and a couple of mimosas, I head out to conquer the city. First stop, Central park. Did I mention that it was absolutely freezing? I walked there. Sad, but true. I most definitely wasn't going to walk back, so I braved the subway. Wow, DC is much easier to navigate! I asked a lady for help. We chatted for a bit and I soon found out that her daughter is a student at the very campus that I work! Small world incident #2. That lady coddled me and helped me get on my way! I was lucky. Who knows where I would've ended up!
The subway took me to the Rockefeller Center. I managed to kill 2 birds with one stone! One was to Ice skate, and the other was to go to the top of a tall building. Up I went! I loved it! They called it, "Top of the Rock." Cute title. If I thought it was cold at street level, I was dreadfully wrong. The top of the building had the added benefit of wind. Wow, it was freezing. I got some great pics and saw some great views and got on my way. I managed to make my way to the VIP section of the ice skating rink. Again, that slogan, "You only live once," popped into my head. Oiy. I better forget that slogan soon. In I went! I was so glad I went that route. The normal way had a line, and it was freezing. I got ready in a nice tent, with easy purse checking, free hot chocolate and cookies. I changed my skates 3 times to be more comfortable! I was terrified about my past experience of ice skating. I stayed glued to the wall. This time, I don't know why, but I was a rockstar! Perhaps confidence. I was jetting all around the place going as fast as I could. I don't know why I do that to myself! Yikes! I only fell once! I noticed when I was skating, there was a guy who was doing amazing things. I finally caught up to him and he tried to teach me to skate a little better. He even tried to teach me to go backwards... That didn't work fyi. All good things must come to an end. Again, we shared facebook info.... again we had mutual facebook friends. 3rd random small world moment of the day! I walked towards the area known as restaurant row to find my dinner destination. I randomly found this cute little swing music bar. I asked the server what to get, and was again not disappointed. I had one of the best rib eyes in my life! I also got a taste of a local bakery with some delicious apple pie. Yummy!
Alas, it was time to go back to reality. I managed to get back to the bus terminal and got the last seat on the bus to leave an hour earlier. My body was sooo happy to not wait around in the bus terminal for another hour! I was soooo exhausted. My legs and my feet were super achy from all the walking. Oiy. Now I have time to reflect. What did this trip mean for me? Was it purely just a way to spend a lot of money, or more than that?
All I know, is that now I feel invincible.
Good story. I'm jealous.
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