Start spreading the news

I checked off so many things on my bucket list last week I don't even know where to begin.  I never in a million years thought I would actually take a trip to the Big Apple but the universe aligned just perfectly for me and Nate and we were able to go.  Here's part 1 of our NY/DC trip. 

I know Nate doesn't look too thrilled in this pic but there are a couple reasons for that.
1- It took us forever to figure out how to get on the train to get from the airport to Penn Station. We were a typical case of country folk trying to understand how the big city works.
2- he was sick and tired of listening to me whine because my suitcase got lost.  Every. Time.  Every single time I go somewhere something like that happens.  I could feel it in my bones too that it would. Nate says that is why it always happens to me. I need to work on my power of positive thinking.  The thought of not having clean clothes for a week about did me in.  But again the universe aligned just right and my luggage was delivered to Mike's NYC apartment in the middle of the night.

Speaking of Mike's NYC apartment (i keep saying NYC because at the moment they have 2. One in DC one in NYC....that's a story within itself.  You want to know the details you should check out amanda's blog.  It's great.  I would put a link but I don't know how.   Anyway, back to his NYC apartment....check out that view

the view out the window wasn't half bad either.

Mike and family had a cute little message on the floor for us.  I think it was to distract us from the fact that there was no furniture yet.  Chairs are overrated anyway.

Our first time on the subway was interesting.  Everyone must have been heading to work because the place was packed.  Packed solid. I'm pretty sure Nate hasn't even been as close to me as some of those people on the subway were.  And you know we have 4 kids together so that's saying something.
 So there was a homeless guy on there laying across a whole row of seats.  I was sure he was dead and was ready to go put my finger under his nose to make sure he was breathing when he sat up.  He looked around for a minute, walked up next to Nate who was standing at the back door, said excuse me and opened the door.....as we were moving. I thought Nate would be sucked out and left for the rats to eat (rats in the subway are real. So nasty). Anyway homeless guy used the tracks for his toilet, came back in, popped open a beer from his backpack, and read his paper.
Not a fan of the subway.  Dirty, underground, jumbo sized sewer rats, etc. 
It scared me on numerous occasions.  Then I realized this big guy with the black hoodie was with me. I was fine.

9/11 Memorial

Lady Liberty.  We had every intention of taking a ferry over to get closer, then once we got there decided not to.  There was so much to see and so little time.

It was a bit chilly when we went.  I ended up having to buy a hat to stay warm.  Nate and I didn't scream tourist enough so I figured I would wear a bright pink one that said NEW YORK across the front. You know, like all the local folk do.

The highlight of the trip for me......Wicked.  I debated whether or not to buy tickets because I was sure I would have to sell my firstborn to afford them.  I bit the bullet and did it anyway. Soooooooo glad we did.  Nate was not too excited about it at first but he came around.  Secretly I think he wants to be a Broadway star and it was too hard for him to watch his dreams overtaken by someone else.  I can totally see him dancing around a stage singing.  In tights. 

Highlight #2 of NYC.....banana pudding.  Heaven in a cup.  I'm not even that big of a banana fan but I heard several people say you have to try the banana pudding so I did.  I should have never done it though because now I crave it constantly.  Dream about it even.  We were meant to be together.  Too bad it's 2000 miles away.  Long distance relationships never work out.

We stumbled across the temple by accident.  It was a pleasant surprise.  New York is crazy because everything looks the same.  Lowe's looks the same as the apartment building next to it.  

I had seriously high expectations for Gray's Papaya.  I've always wanted to try one of their hot dogs.  I can't say I was disappointed because the hot dog was delicious.  I was just expecting more.  More dog, more options, more something. 

Then all of that need for more was wiped away when I walked outside and read their sign. Best sign on a business ever.  Two points for the clever fella (or lady) that came up with that. 

"Franks for your business" = Hilarious.

Times Square was exactly how I thought it would be. Crazy busy and crowded but fun. Non-stop horn honking. All the time the horns are being honked.  

On a scale of 1-10 I give NYC an 8.5 (still can't get past the subway as a urinal and the rats).
There seem to be no traffic rules in that city but everyone understands to just get out of everyone's way.  Those New Yorker's have it down.
Now that I've been there done that I'm not sure I would go back.  I liked it while we were there but don't need a New York fix like I need a Disney fix.  Unless it's to go to Broadway and get banana pudding -- then count me in!