Category Archives: Summer 2014 – NYC

Odyssey Update

Plans continue to bounce around for the upcoming mini-Odyssey.

Originally, we weren’t going to decide on what show to see until we got there. We were bummed that we can’t see All the Way (as far as I can see, the run ends in June), and thinking that I’d really like to see a musical that was nominated for a 2014 Tony for Best Musical, I suggested this one, and the Thriller went for it immediately:

We grabbed one of the last available boxes at the historic New Amsterdam. How cool is that? It’s not orchestra seating, but we’ll be able to stretch out a bit, and I’ve read reviews that they’re actually great seats, which is good, because they were among the cheapest offered. Score.

Of course, we had to do the total Broadway tourist thing and book dinner at Sardi’s before the show.

But for now: reality. Five performances have to happen before I can relax for a while. Let’s get on it.

Have a great day, everyone. I can see the weekend from here.

Odyssey 2014

Staten Island Ferry at night? Let's do it.

Staten Island Ferry at night? Let’s do it.

While it won’t last as long as previous Odysseys (one week instead of three), it’ll still be fun.

If you know where I’ve been lately, you might be asking, “Why New York City again?” Well, you see, although I’ve been to Manhattan eleventy times, I’ve never been there as a grown-up. You know…without students along. I’m not complaining about that, mind, but it’s just that there are places (and paces) I’ve never been able to experience while traveling with a group of 100 other people, and the Thriller hasn’t been there for many years, so…here we go. Hotel is already booked; we’re psyched!

We’re going to go with a much more loosey-goosey plan on this trip. Not even planning which show to see on Broadway; we’ll hit the TKTS booth in Times Square or at the Seaport and make our decision then. We’ll eat at La Mela in Little Italy, not because there aren’t other great Italian restaurants in Manhattan, but because I want to experience Little Italy while it’s still there. You can almost throw a rock from one end to the other right now. So sad.

F.W. Woolworth building -- once the tallest in the world.

Once the tallest building in the world.

In all my trips to New York, I’ve never been to the F. W. Woolworth building, which features some of the most opulent architecture in the city. It might be worth the extra dollars to get a one-hour, private tour. What say you?

Of course, the Thriller wants to see the 9-11 Tribute Center, which I talked nonstop about when I got home last month, so we’ll spend some time in Lower Manhattan before hitting the Ferry and heading back to Jersey for the night. We’ll also carve out some leisurely hours at the Met Museum and Central Park (I do want to have lunch or a drink at the new Tavern on the Green). The other four boroughs aren’t out of the question, either. Wherever the mood and our train pass lead, we’ll go.

Everything else is up in the air. After NYC, we’ll swing down along the Jersey Shore and spend a day or two in Atlantic City, since the Thriller has two free nights at Caesars. We might hit Gettysburg again on the way home, and see some things we didn’t get to see last time through.

So, what are your plans for the summer? Anything fun? Right now, I’m just looking to get through the 19th. After that, it’s smooth sailin’.

FO