1. Broadway actors are amazing on stage, but you'll love them more if you're lucky enough to see them off stage!
We had tickets to An American In Paris, not having the slightest on what the show was about. We like the element of surprise and discovering the story line as it happens, so we always opt out of learning what the show is about. Although the show really was amazing, we didn't enjoy it. In fact, I found myself dozing on and off during the first act. I didn't want to admit it at first. I thought, how can I not enjoy such an amazing show that has been so acclaimed and won so many awards?? Eventually I came to terms with it, realizing that the dance concentrated show just wasn't my cup of tea. The actors were phenomenal, as were the set and the orchestra. Those that would enjoy an amazingly choreographed show, this one will not disappoint you. Since I felt a bit unfulfilled, I decided we should try another show! If you've seen the TKTS booth in the middle of Time Square and wondered if it's really worth it to stand in line for tickets, let me tell you now it absolutely is! We stood in line for all of 20 minutes around 10:30 AM and walked away with half off orchestra seating tickets to Chicago's matinee show! I made a mistake with the show time and we arrived very early, which put us first in line for seating and we got to watch all of the actors walk by and enter through the back door that was just 10 feet away. Paige Davis stole my heart when she smiled sheepishly at me and laughed as she struggled with the heavy entrance door. And Amra Faye Wright is just as fabulous on stage as she is off, strutting along to the entrance door dressed in all black and a big rimmed hat!
2. The presence of our military and police officers throughout the city is a stark reminder of 9/11, but interactions with them will also remind you that they are there to serve and protect.
After seeing one of our favorite Broadway stars' recent post on his Instagram revealing he'll be in Penn Station, we rushed through our dinner, then sprinted 13 blocks to try to catch him. Dodging fellow pedestrians and sidewalk vendors, we made it in record time. Not being too familiar with the layout of the station, we searched up and down different corridors, but despite our efforts we were too late. Disappointed and breathless, we tried to gather our bearings and figure out how to get Uptown via the subway. There was no way my travel mate was going to make the 13 blocks walk back in time for our show. In the midst of looking lost and confused, an officer approached me and instructed me to take my bags to the inspection table. I must've looked suspicious with the daze in my eyes. However, I wasn't the only one confused, the other officer didn't seem to understand why we were sent to him for inspection either. After quickly inspecting our belongings and sensing how lost we were, he gave us instructions on how to get Uptown and pointed us in the right direction. And as I fumbled with my purse trying to locate my bank card, the same officer who sent me to the inspection table came over and said, "Here, I'll let you in," then used his subway card to get us through the entrance.
3. Not all New York City drivers are created equal.
Driving in New York City is an undertaking you have to mentally prepare for. I'm a pretty confident driver but I am not a fan of city driving. There are just too many one way streets, red lights, pedestrians, and fellow drivers that are always in a rush to get somewhere. All of this is intensified a hundred times over in New York City. I can't count the many times I was honked at or almost ran into a pedestrian or biker. It seems that the normal pedestrian and bike laws don't apply to people in New York. I was inches away from hitting a biker that ignored his red light and zipped across me at the corner of Washington and Spring. And just as I thought my passenger's knuckles couldn't get any whiter, I made eye contact with a driver in a merging lane in front of the Holland Tunnel who had the right of way, but smiled and gave me the friendly "Please, you first" wave.
TIP 1: Driving in New York is just not worth it so unless you absolutely have to, leave the car at home or park it for the duration of your stay. Take advantage of the transit system and the walkability of the city.
TIP 2: If you're going to catch a cab or Uber, make sure you're on a street going in the direction you're headed. Otherwise, you'll end up paying quite a bit more just to have them go around the block.
Despite the misadventures, a visit to NYC always leaves me anxious and excited to return. After making it back through the Holland Tunnel in one piece, I started plotting my next visit. Until next time...
~ Stephanie
