New York on Saturday

I had the best day. After that amazing breakfast, it just kept getting better. We took the bus to Macy’s department store. Did you know the founders died on Titanic? In memory, there is a clock set to the time the ship sank, in honor, and it hangs outside one of the main doors to Macy’s. We found and purchased a blue shirt for Steve in the men’s section of the store. We threw out the one needing laundry!

Then we hopped on the bus heading to the uptown area, around Central Park, through Harlem and past all the museums and universities. We had a very entertaining and informative tour guide. He pointed out the homes of some of the homes in high rises of the very rich and famous.

Off the bus at Central Park and the Plaza Hotel about 2 pm

Imperial theatre on w 45 st to see Nice Work If You Can Get It starring Mathew Broderick! It was fantastic. It was Gershwin music and choreography was all the best. What a great night out in New York.

Homeward bound

Wake up call for three a.m. Not much to pack, we have been living out of small bag since the cruise ended. I want to post the blog, so important to get up.

Stardust memories

We stopped quickly for decaf skinny vanilla latte at Starbucks. Noticed the temperature is much warmer than yesterday and the sun is beautiful in the clear sky. Posted on Internet.

Walked next door to Ellen’s Stardust Diner. A retro cafe with fabulous menu and all the wait staff sing! Omg, serenaded and entertained while waiting for omelets. More and more songs. Oldies, celebrations, and with feeling. 15 staff all trying to get discovered, the management pays for singing, acting and dancing lessons for them all! A duo, young woman and man sang the duet from The Little Shop of Horrors. The name of the song was Suddenly Seymour, and they stood on the back of the booth i was sitting in. Almost tears in my eyes as the experience overtook me. I strongly recommend this place. 1650 Broadway. We could not get in last night but breakfast is super busy too ….. Saturday morning in the city that never sleeps. What fun. I love my life.

Plans for tomorrow

Macy’s department store. More Central Park.

Dinner and a theatre show.

Arrangements for shuttle to airport for wee hours of 20 January.

Rockefeller Center.

Pick up flag and few souvenir gifts for grandsons and two daughters.

Have you found joy in your life? Have you brought joy to others? The two questions from bucket list movie … Answer is yes and yes.

Uptown loop stops, Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Tour on bus.

Soho means south of Houston st.

Starbucks for decaf skinny vanilla latte

Check emails and post blog

Call James Lane to meet up.

Drink more water

Enjoy my new long black coat

Fall in love with New York

Pack and get ready to go home.

Mamma Mia, Here I Go Again

I step in to the theatre door. I catch my breath in my chest, the beauty is stunning. Red floral. Box seats, velvet upholstery. Less than 10 rows back from the stage. I am trying to stand mindful as the theatre seats fill up around me.

New York New York

Welcome to the shiny big apple! Blue skies, bright lights, people, shopping, sight seeing, eating and falling in love with New York.

We disembarked into the city, took a cab to the Manhattan Times Square hotel on 7th and about 50 th street. In the heart of the theatres, and just a short walk from the ball drop in times square.

The cab was waiting for us outside the ship pier. He helped with all the luggage and promptly took us to the hotel in just a few minutes. As we arrived at the hotel door, a Bellman and doorman assisted with our luggage and took us right to the lobby desk. It was before 11 am, I don’t recall exactly the time, but our room was upgraded and ready for our arrival. The service was incredible. The hotel is clean and in such a great location. I would stay here again and recommend it to others.

There is a desk also for purchasing tickets for theatre shows in New York. A separate desk for arranging shuttles to airport and hop on and off buses, taxis and whatever form of transport might be wanted.

Internet complimentary in lobby. Recommendations and maps galore. Info on shows and shops. This city is ready for me.

We selected our shows for Friday and Saturday night, dinner included for Saturday. We also selected hop on bus, and headed outside for some lunch and exploration.

Selections include Wicked, Mamma Mia, Evita, Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins, the Lion King, Rock of Ages, Newsies, and Nice Work if You Can Get It amount so many more.

We sat on the open top deck of hop on tour bus and did the whole route today. We toured and took pics of the Empire State Building, recalling the movies we could remember that used this famous site. We saw Central Park. A beautiful sunset. The colorful sky and a view from the eighty sixth floor. I saw a Lulu Lemon store in Soho district on Broadway!

A long line of people camped out on the sidewalk out front of Rockefeller Center, in hopes to gain admission to Saturday Nite Live on Saturday night! It is only yet Friday morning and they are sleeping on the sidewalk, with blankets and some lawn chairs holding their spots. Brrrrrrrrrrr.

A quick dinner at Applebee’s and then off to Mamma Mia in the most beautiful theatre I have ever seen, and not a full block from our hotel!

The movie, the Bucket List is on tv, reminding me that it is never too early to be checking off the items on my list. This trip has certainly helped with that.