New York City 2012 - Day 1

Chad and I started a tradition on our very first Christmas as a married couple. We would buy each other one ornament for our tree, and it had to pertain to something we were interested in or something we loved at the time. It was Christmas of 1998 when he bought me my Times Square ornament. It was a little plastic replica of Times Square, with tiny billboards, and a miniature silver ball that would "drop" when you turned it upside down. One of the billboards was a button that, when pushed, played a recording of Dick Clark counting down to New Year's. Chad wrote on a card, "I can't take you to New York City, but I can bring New York to you." He knew how badly I dreamed of the two of us getting to go to NYC together. I had an opportunity to come here 4 years ago with my sister Leah, and it was such an amazing trip that it only fueled my desire to bring Chad. But I thought it would never happen. And now, after 16 years of wishing and dreaming, not only did I get to come with Chad AND my kids, but Leah is with us! I'd ask you to pinch me, but if you did, I would probably punch you in the throat.

This morning, at 4:45, our ride to the airport arrived. I had planned on parking at MasterPark, as we usually do, but Leah made other plans. Unbeknownst to the kids, she reserved a limo to take us. Baurice was our driver and when he arrived, he loaded our bags so quickly that before I knew what was going on, we were whisked away to the airport.

(The following is a digression, feel free to skip ahead.) We hadn't even reached the freeway when I realized that my bag, which contained my purse and the itinerary I made for the trip with ALL our documents, was not where it should be (on my lap with my hands clutched so tightly around it that my knuckles are turning white...) And suddenly I started worrying. Did Baurice load the bag? Did I have it with all the other bags by the front door? What if I left it on my bed? Was it in the trunk? What if he missed it? And I started to talk about it. And talk about it. And talk about it. Poor Chad and Leah. Finally, somewhere near Lakewood, I built up the courage to climb to the front of the limo and ask Baurice to pull over because "I-have-like,an-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-and-I'm-feeling-highly-anxious-and-please-don't-judge-me-because-I-didn't-realize-I-had-this-problem-until-now-and-I-promise-to-make-it-fast-I-just-need-to-double-check." He had already pulled off the road by the time I stopped jabbering. And sure enough my bag was on top of the pile of bags. Finally, with a grip on that bag that not even a jedi knight could force me to release, we were back on the road. I was now calm and back to my normal self. Baurice was subjected to what some might call "an interrogation" by me, in which I learned so much about him that I could probably write his biography.

We got to Sea-Tac safely and on time. But airport stories can be boring (unless you're John McClane and Colonel Stuart has taken control of Dulles International Airport in an attempt to free General Esperanza), but we're not talking about amazing iconic films right now.

Traveling with 6 people can be chaotic, but everything was good. The flight was smooth - except for the 16 month old baby that sat directly behind Leah, who is deathly afraid of flying, I might add. Which made it all the more hilarious when the mom let Screamy Ear-Piercington stand on her lap and smack Leah in the back of the head as if it was perfectly normal behavior on an airplane. I doubt I would've laughed as hard as I did, had Leah not been ready to go into cardiac arrest in the first place. I'm a terrible sister.

We arrived at JFK on time and had a big black Cadillac Escalade waiting to drive us to the city. I questioned this driver at length, as well. His name is Francisco. He's from Ecuador and he's lived in Queens for 20 years, but you don't want to hear about him, so that's all the info I'll share about my new friend.

We are staying at The Doubletree Guest Suites on Broadway, smack-dab in the middle of Times Square. We have a one bedroom suite and it is just outstanding! We checked in with an employee wearing a bedazzled cowboy hat with matching sherrif's badge. It complimented his hotel uniform nicely. (I also have his life-story if anyone is interested.)

We unpacked and set out for the evening. We were about 7 minutes behind on my itinerary, that's how annoyingly detailed I am. We walked through Times Square, adapting to the fast-paced, stop-and-get-trampled way of living. Ali HATES crowds, so this was a bit much for her. We headed down 42nd and walked through Bryant Park and stopped at The New York Public Library. The kids wanted to see Patience and Fortitude. Google it if you don't know.

We stopped at Bravo Pizza for a slice of... well - you know. It's a complete hole in the wall dive that seats about 12 people and they have a sign posted that tells the customers they have 20 minutes to eat and leave. But the pizza was delicious.

Next we walked 8 blocks south to The Empire State Building. I don't know how we got so lucky, but there was no line and absolutely NO crowds on the observation deck. Yes it was cold and windy, but who cares? We got the audio tour, spent some time taking pictures and absorbing the views and then we were ready to leave.

The kids were exhausted and Leah offered to catch a cab back to the hotel with them, so we parted ways. It was 7:45 by now and Chad and I still wanted to explore. We said our goodbyes after getting Starbucks (I swore I wouldn't step foot into a chain store while I was here. Oops!) Chad and I walked by a subway station and decided to buy a single ride and see where we ended up. After 4 stops, we got off the subway at Columbus Circle. It was dark and rainy and a perfect night for an adventure. We walked through Central Park, and I tried to get Chad to go into one of those dark tunnels with me, but he wouldn't. Some might say he has common sense. I might say he's chicken.

We stopped at the Plaza and took pictures, then walked down 5th avenue and window shopped. We looked at clothes that, if I didn't know better, I would swear were designed on a dare. Or a practical joke of some sort. I'm so far removed from that world that it was actually fascinating and I'm looking forward to going back later this week to make more fun, so stay tuned.

Finally we ended up at Duffy Square, which is directly across from our hotel. We took more pictures, enjoyed the last few moments alone in the city and headed inside. By now it was 10:00 PM, and Leah had the kids all showered in their jammies and they were watching the Discovery Channel. Ali had just ordered room service for them and they were winding down. They told me the story of trying to hail a cab. I found it funny:

Leah was having trouble getting a cab to stop for them. She tends to be timid and doesn't like to ask for things, so I can imagine how difficult it would be for her to flag down a taxi. Finally, Ashley pulled out her handbook and looked up "how to hail a taxi." The kids began flailing, yelling, waving and snapping at cabs until one finally stopped. Jackson was the lucky passenger who got to sit in the front seat with the cab driver. He described the experience as, "kinda creepy."

And thus ends our first night in New York City.

"These vagabond shoes... are longing to stray... right through the very heart of it... New York, New York!"

The Niemeyers