Dan and I have been friends since 1982. We met each other 35 years ago when we both traveled in a christian music and drama group. Since then we’ve mostly communicated through email, social media, and the occasional phone call. We’ve gotten together a few times when one of my trips took me near his home in Indianapolis, or later in Florida. A couple of months ago, I suggested we take a weekend and see NY. He hadn’t been to New York since 1983 and remembered it as a dirty crime-ridden city with little to offer. Happily, I shared with him that the city is a lot different than it was in the 80’s. We decided that the last couple of days of his spring break would be a good time to see the city and really spend some time together.

I booked a hotel for us in Newark by the airport because it seemed the cheapest option. When I look back now and consider the train fare to get to Manhattan, I might have done better in Brooklyn or something else a little closer. Lesson learned for next time.

We took the PATH over to the World Trade Center and began our journey. Even though I’ve been to the city quite a bit, there’s plenty I haven’t done, like walking the Brooklyn Bridge. After seeing the memorial plaza, we headed through Wall Street and found a bite for lunch before making our way to the TKTS outlet for discount tickets to a show.

We settled on CATS and found ourselves with front row tickets. Next we headed over to Brooklyn. I must say, I really enjoyed walking that bridge and need to do it with Janet some day. Once we got to Brooklyn we found the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Both of us were very familiar with the work of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and wanted to see the place they perform each Sunday. Unfortunately the sanctuary was closed for rehearsal. Maybe some other time we’ll come back and attend a service.

We hopped on a subway and got out on 5th Avenue. We explored the shops and Rockefeller Center as we made our way down the avenue. Dan and I are friends, but are political polar opposites. He really wanted to see Trump tower, so I let him loose vowing that lightning would strike me dead if I set foot in the place. We laughed and I got his picture for his friends back home.

We headed over toward Times Square for dinner and milled around till the beginning of the show. I’d seen CATS when we lived in Oregon and had not been a fan. I’ve been known to give things a second chance though and this one really paid off. In Oregon we’d sat in the balcony of a 3,000 seat auditorium. This show really needs to be seen in the size of houses prevalent on Broadway. The whole theater had been transformed into a dump and the cats easily moved in and out of the audience. At the end of the show, one cat came and sat in the empty chair next to me, laid his head on my shoulder, and proceeded to feign sleeping until a girl cat motioned from the stage that he needed to wake up to take his bows. Both of us really enjoyed the show and I had a much deeper appreciation for the work than my previous experience.

It was late when we got back to the hotel so we didn’t get going at the crack of dawn for day 2. Once we got out, we headed straight for the TKTS South Street Seaport booth again to see what was available. This time we settled on Glen Close in Sunset Blvd. I was really glad he wanted to see that as it was a show I really did not want to miss this performance this season. We took a subway down to the east side and made our way back through Central Park. I could spend days just in Central Park.

 

 

It’s like a nature city in the city with so much of it’s own character and things to do. Even though I like to travel, I’m also pretty cheap and like to find as many free or inexpensive things to do as possible, hence window shopping, city parks, and half-price tickets to Broadway shows.

Our big event of the daylight hours was going to the Empire State Building. I realize it’s not the tallest building in NYC anymore but the views are still magnificent. Actually they’re even better as newer skyscrapers are being built around it and you can witness the transforming skyline from one of only three public observation decks in the city.

We found another restaurant near Times Square and milled around with the tourists until the show opened. We had back row seats for this show, but it was still amazing. This was the second woman in her 70’s I’d seen perform on stage this month, and I was blown away by the energy and excellence in these performances.

 

Our last day contained our final adventure which was the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Dan lives in Florida so the 40 degree weather seemed frigid. We’d seen a lot through the weekend but, I think he was ready to go home. But the weekend had changed his mind about the city and he was eager to bring his wife back to explore and experience the excitement.

It’s interesting that people can think very differently and yet find common ground to have close friendships. Dan is one of those people. Next to my wife, he is one of my oldest and closest friends. I love to share my adventures with people I love. We had a great time together and I hope we can do it, or another city again sometime.

 

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller