NY - So much fun I forgot my pants!

I’ll never forget the day. It was September, I was 18yrs old, and I had just started University a few wks back. My dad was coming through Halifax, and so was taking his only daughter out to lunch. He had just returned from a business trip to New York.

His first words to me were not “So, how’s it going?” “How’s your roommate?” nor was it “Studying hard?”. No. His words were “Buy a ticket and go girl. You’re gonna love it!” My response of course was “You’re buying!”, um no.

So 12 yrs later. I finally got around to buying that ticket. And I did. I loved it.

It started with an almost 8hr overnite bus ride, accompanied by one of my best friends, Mark. I had always said that the first time I went to NY, I would want to go with Mark acting as my Discover NY Guide. Well worth the wait.

I was lucky enough to have a place to stay as well. Docked down in what used to be Hell’s Kitchen. A luxury floating apartment block. A ship called The World. Owned by billionaires, and the odd millionaire. I was down below in the servants quarters bunking with the Broadcast Manager, named Jeff. What do I have to broadcast about this? All is well, readers, all is well. If my neuroses don’t get the better of me, he may be featured in many repeat mass mails and blog postings. Wish me luck fans!

But what did we see and do? Well, just this (In NO particular order):

• Front Row for RENT, my fave musical. A dream that I’ve had for years, and it’s finally come true! M & I lined up for the lottery ticket draw 4 times. 4th time lucky because I was late, and only Mark put his name in. Hmmm. Guess lottery just isn’t my thing. Haha


• FAO Scwarz a cool toy store. I got to dance on the big floor keyboard a-la Tom Hanks in BIG. Alas, I couldn’t remember how to play chopsticks, and the 3 yr olds there thought I was strange. Such is life.
  
• Grits at the Galaxy café. Wait a minute, this is just cream of wheat!


• Getting lost in lower Harlem. “Are those the Projects? Cooool.”


• Walking thru Central Park…not at nite.


• Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown, yum!


• The ceiling at Grand Central Station. Another good reason to always look Up


• Time Square. How many small countries could we feed with the money spent on electricity?


• Attending an off-broadway musical called SLUT! ‘Nuff said.


• Jeff and I got to ride in a limousine courtesy of his work, complete with Russian Brooklyn driver.


• Hanging out in a cool café in Greenwich


• Wandering Soho and Noho, wannabe window shopping.


• Macy’s, riding the wooden escalators. Strange that it looked exactly like the Bay on St Catherine’s in Montreal.


• Wandering the East Village, visiting the sites of RENT, and eating at the Life Café!!!!


• Free-ish stand-up Comedy. Hey! We had time to kill, and why not!


• Taking photos at Rockefeller Centre. Apparently it’s ok to get down on your knees, ass in the air with your cheek against the pavement to set up your shot, but heaven forbid if you try and sit on the ground


• Halloween Parade, standing on the back of a public bench, watching the world go by


• Musical performances by Bill Laswell (featuring NY’s hottest drummer), and Medeski Martin & Wood rockin the stage with crazy performance artists being lowered from the ceiling.


• Groovy Brit pub wannabe in Hell’s Kitchen, with soft lighting and a sweeeeet jukebox. Complete with wonderful company.


• Empire State Building. Being tourists and going for the view.


• Hot Dogs and mango drink at Papaya. Love those dogs! And street vendor pretzels.


• Ending up in Queens on a wrong subway at ungodly hours of the morning. Counting rats ON the platform, and trying to figure out what the huge blobs that looked like cow s*** were on the tracks

Was that everything? Mark and I walked so much that Mark’s feet were each one large blister, and my legs felt like jello. Jeff offered little sympathy, spending most of his time onboard working. But we managed to kidnap him for a few outings, so all was not lost.

I left the museums and galleries for next time. But I know where they are, and I will be back.

Oh yes. I almost forgot. I was changing to have a comfy outfit for the long bus ride home. And I forgot my jeans on the ship. They have since been posted, and should arrive in Montreal anytime soon. All thanks to Jeff . So you see? It wasn’t just a gimmick!