Over Thanksgiving break my grandparents took me to New York City!
Tuesday 11/22
Immediately after school, I packed my bags and was whisked away to begin the NYC adventure. My grandparents and I dined at SouthSiders in Waxhaw. (Their chicken quesadillas make the whole vegetarian idea seem ridiculous.) We ended the night at Comfort Suites in Charlotte, where I prepared thread for bracelets and watched “Chopped” on the Food Network.
Wednesday 11/23
Christian Tours Coach
At 5am I groggily pulled myself through the motions of waking up, getting ready, and carrying luggage down to the lobby. We waited to be picked up by the Christian Tours coach, which took us to Newton, NC to collect the rest of the group. We made stops every couple hours, traveling through VA, MD, PA, and NJ. Finally, at 9pm we entered NYC through the Lincoln Tunnel. We collapsed into bed at the Salisbury Hotel, 57th street.
Our first day up to New York, at the very first rest stop, a short, shuffling man I hadn’t noticed before approached me and my grandpa. With a slight New Jersey accent, he introduced himself as Joe. With a stuttering speech he marveled at the sunny weather.
As we stood outside McDonald’s in Greensboro, I noticed that every yellow stool was covered in raindrops fallen the previous night; from the beginning I could see that his personality sparkled like the sunlight on the raindrops.
He was in his 60s, traveling alone and with great zest for every activity. “You should really try all the toppings,” he shouted when our tour director mentioned the different hot dog stands in NYC.
Thursday 11/24
Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
After a quick breakfast at the hotel (with coffee so delicious no sugar was necessary) we walked a block or so to wait for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We chatted amiably with strangers while fighting off the crush of people and the cold.
Papa and I spent the afternoon walking through Central Park.
Later I got my first taste of the glitz and glamor of NYC while watching the Rockettes and walking by the 5th Avenue window displays.
LOVE
Friday 11/25
We were joined by a step-on guide, Bruce, who pointed out significant buildings and their histories as we roved Manhattan Island by coach.
We ended with a 2-hour long “repas de midi” at Le Sans Culottes. (The restaurant is named after the French lower class during the Revolution.) While waiting for my pasta primavera, I made bracelets and listened to the adults chatter.
= Christmas shopping and the namesake of an awesome poet.
After freshening up at the hotel, we bravely navigated the subway system. We emerged at Bryant Park (named after William Cullen Bryant, author of “Thanatopsis”), where I did some Christmas shopping, and looked around the NY Public Library, a 4-story marble monument to knowledge.
That night we watched “Mamma Mia!” on Broadway. Though the show was well-done, I didn’t agree with the values and morals.
Saturday 11/26
Another day of famous landmarks awaited: today we took the ferry to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. At Ellis Island I nodded off in the movie theater. We lunched on South Street Seaport, back on the mainland.
Lunch at South Side Seaport
That afternoon, Papa and I waited in line to enter the flagship FAO Schwartz store. Overawed by the custom doll houses, Lego statues, and a Barbie Fusball table, we bought Schweetz (candy) for my brothers.
Sunday 11/27
Return home. I try to finish AP homework.
This is by no means a full account, but as I had written it out for myself, I thought I may as well post it on my blog.
