When we came back on the ferry, we landed near Ground Zero. There was a memorial with an eternal flame.
In the financial district we came upon the famous scultpure of the bull. Here I am, grabbing the bull by the horns. To quote the movie Dodgeball, "That's how I handle my business. It's a metaphor. But that really happened."
I feel sorry for the guy who was standing there when this fell:
We got some free time for lunch. I walked up Broadway, past Wall St., and found a very holy lunch for myself. First off, it was Halal (fitting with Islamic dietary laws). I got a lamb gyro and a knish w/ mustard. I was told Knish is a traditional Jewish food. I think the gyro is probably kosher, too. Then I walked back a block and found a bench in the cemetery of Trinity Church, in the shade of its front steeple. I think most people in the world would agree that God is smiling at me right now. It sure feels that way.
The gyro is one of the best things I've ever eaten. The knish is okay, but it did burn my face with a squirt of very hot mustard. So maybe God is not entirely pleased with me after all.
There are Trinity's bells. So beautiful echoing off the sky scrapers. I'm back in God's good graces.
A religious experience for six bucks. God is good.
We we past the stock exchange. It's an impressive building, but pretty dead on a Saturday. Across the street were the steps of the federal building where George Washington was inaugurated. That was cool.
Then we went to the pier. More shopping. I controlled myself.
We turned around and headed to Grand Central Station. The place is amazing, now. It's been renovated, and they did an fantastic job.
After another mediocre dinner I asked Jeff if I could take some kids to Times Square by subway instead of by bus. Six or seven of us chose that option. We rode the #7 down just two stops to 42nd, between the two theaters our group will be entertained by tonight.
Andrew and I had a bunch more shopping time in Times Square. yea.
Due to a miscommunication Mr. Witt and a group of students ended up waiting for Andrew and I a few blocks from the theater, where we were waiting for them. Luckily, they made it on time and everybody got to see the show... everybody but Mr. Witt. A student (who shall remain nameless) forget his or her ticket on the bus so Jeff, without hesitating, gave him or her his own. I hope he enjoys some time to himself.
Spamalot isn't as good as Chicago, but it's certainly laugh-out-loud funny and probably the silliest thing ever put on Broadway. Sillier even than casting Tony Danza in The Producers (and that's saying something). Is there a Tony for silliest musical?
Our seats were pretty bad ones. We were in the second balcony, way over on one side, with a better view of the orchestra pit than the actors. I was sitting with Chris Crazybull and Chris Earl. The female lead in the show, a woman named Marin Mazzie, not only had incredible talent, but, in the parlance of Spamalot, had "huge tracts of land." Chris and Chris and I got some flack from the women in the group because we were looking down on this woman basically from above. I hardly see how that's our fault, but none of us were complaining, either.
One the way home, during a really enjoyable conversation with Peyton Cole (what a wonderful person!) it started to dawn on me that we are going home tomorrow. I will take pictures tomorrow, but I doubt I'll be posting anything here tomorrow night. I have mixed feelings as our trip comes to a close. I could wander around New York for days, weeks, years, but doing so with a group this large is impractical and leads to people grating on one another's nerves. The kids have been wonderful (ZERO behavior problems, parents. Knock on wood.) but they're staring to get a bit snappish with one another, and they're not the only ones. I also miss my wife and son terribly. Don't worry, Noah. Daddy's coming home. I'm sure you're excited to see me.
My over-all impression impression of the trip:
2 comments:
What a misrepresentation of our son! he just didn't want his picture taken, that's all! he really is an adorable boy most of the time!
Both sets of my husband's grandparents came through Ellis Island in the early 1900's as immigrants. We still have their paperwork. What would they think of New York today! Thanks for the tour :-)
Teri Crevar
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