First stop: Carriage ride through Central Park. It was 20 degrees (wind chill – 0 degrees), but we did it anyway. We were just numb by the end! The last time we had been in a carriage together was on our wedding day in August of 1992. It was 100 degrees that day!A wonderful combination of all of my favorite things: traveling, shopping, eating, live theater watching, running, picture taking and museum visiting made up a four day trip to New York City all arranged and lovingly planned by my amazing husband. Yes, the same husband who ten years ago panicked at the thought of airports and air travel, was too nervous to let us take a taxi during our first quick trip through NYC (I was pregnant, sick, had 2 little boys in tow and did not want to walk another block!), and also the husband who hates email, and all manner of “surfing the Internet” for anything.
Well, it was that guy who planned, phoned, emailed, printed maps and itineraries, purchased tickets online, researched restaurants, shows, museums, and coffee shops, borrowed a GPS, figured out the subway, hailed taxis, carried bags, opened doors, ate gluten free food, and even rubbed tired feet at the end of each day. Did I mention tea and breakfast in bed brought in from a restaurant nearby one day? Yeah, that too. He’s incredible – incredibly more like Christ to me every day, and I am blessed.
The city was still very festive since it was the week of the New Year celebration – bright lights and decorations everywhere. We saw the Broadway musical “Ragtime,” which was really spectacular – a lot more intense of a storyline than Mary Poppins, of course (which I refrained from seeing for what would have been the 3rd time!), but I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes much of the time at the talent of the performers and the emotion of the story. Highly recommended! (Would have loved to have seen “Wicked,” but it was sold out ALL week – unless you were willing to pay about $350 per ticket!)
After our carriage ride, we visited the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), which doesn’t really house my favorite art, but I have been to the Metropolitan a couple of times, and the Guggenheim, so it was time to see MOMA. We ended up really enjoying it for the most part, and found ourselves wishing we had gotten there earlier (we arrived 1.5 hours before closing), so we could have explored more – like photography and Monet! We did see quite a bit of Jackson Pollock, and were really drawn to the consistency in his pieces which first appear to be nothing but paint splattered on a canvas. (I know, I’m killing some of you aficionados, but I’m a traditional gal and modern art newbie. I’m working on my appreciation skills. That bottom right piece was created by placing cigarettes end to end!)
Did you know that you can walk from Chinatown to Little Italy in a matter of one block? I had no idea, but as we cruised past the Canal St. market in Chinatown, where the vendors enticed us into their booths in a regular voice while whispering under their breath, “Coach” or “Rolex,” we looked up a few moments later to find that we were surrounded by gelato shops, and Italian restaurants! We also shopped in SOHO and made stops into Bloomingdales and later, on New Year’s Eve, Macy’s. Inside (and outside), Macy’s was a site to behold! Such elaborate holiday decorations, I have never seen – and the window displays were equally extravagant. Purchases? Only crazy 2010 sunglasses at the Chinatown market and a replacement pair of leather gloves from Filene’s Basement for the pair I left in a taxi. (Which had been a Christmas gift from Robert the week before. sigh.)
The culminating event was the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run on New Year’s Eve. And by Emerald Nuts I don’t mean people wearing green who have lost their mind (although this crowd could have been tagged as just that), but rather Emerald Nuts, the company that makes all sorts of nut and trial mixes who were the sponsors of a 4 mile run around and through Central Park at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. We left our apartment (generously offered by a sweet friend and former church member now living in the city!) around 9pm, ate a meal at Whole Foods, hopped on the seemingly abandoned subway around 10pm, traveled UNDER Time Square (where all the thousands of people had been gathered for the better part of the day) arrived in Central Park around 10:30pm, listened to a DJ and live music while donning our numbers, crazy hats, and glasses IN THE SNOW (it snowed/sleeted the entire day and evening), and then took off on the course right at midnight along with 5,000 other nutty runners.
Finishing right before 1am, we hopped back on the subway which was a bit more crowded now with young folks wearing high heels, cocktail dresses, and suits! Way too tired, severely under dressed, soaked, and shivering, we skipped the champagne and opted for hot showers and chamomile while watching a replay of the ball dropping in Time Square at 3am on Fox.
What an experience!
I could go on and on about the many details of this wonderful 40th birthday trip and all of the ways it seemed to be so blessed by the Lord, but I was even more blown away to get into the van to leave and have Robert hand me a stack of cards from some who had helped make the trip possible by their gifts and prayers. Thank you. I am so humbled and grateful for this gift.
And thank you to the two who decided to purchase and have delivered to my house in my absence one new refrigerator and one new chest freezer – AND transfer all of my food into those new items before we returned home! The gifts of the Lord through His children are truly “beyond anything we could ask or imagine.”
Stay tuned for part 2: THE FOOD!
After reading this, I really want to be your friend! I am so glad you had fun in NYC. I can't wait for part 2!
Oh Mel, what a fantastic trip! I'm SO glad to hear what a wonderful time you had!
And yay about the new freezer – I laughed when I read that part! 😉
This sounds like a great trip! I am so glad you had such a great time!!
I hope you have a blast in Texas!
Melanie! Happy belated birthday and thank you for sharing your fabulous celebration in the city! You deserve it all & props to Robert for loving you so truly! I love you guys and miss you much! The pictures and story are so great! Wish you were closer… xoxo
Sounds incredible Melanie!!!! Robert wins a best husband award for sure!!!!!!
Mel…Jack was telling me he saw Mary Poppins in the '60s. Glad you had such a magical time. We love you. K&J