You’ve already heard about the insanely incredible Broadway show I went to see.
(I absolutely did not have the patience to stay in chronological order and talk first about the trip there. After I saw that show, how could I talk about anything else but that?)
Now, let’s back track to the plane ride into this magical city. When I woke up in New Orleans on my big travel day, I almost cried tears of joy. Seriously. I was going to New York City!
When I first moved to California 8 months ago, musical theater songs would come on my iPhone, and I’d have the single tear going – knowing that New York is so far away, it might as well be China.
When I put Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC on the calendar, I knew I’d have to go to NY while I was out there, because how can you physically go to Washington DC and not stop by NY? I don’t think you can. I think if you get that close to the greatest city in the world, magnets bring you home.
But, this trip was a special surprise two weeks early. The moment I found out Jared was going to be in The Book of Mormon, I made that last minute decision. When I woke up, it hit me – I AM seriously, no joke, for real going to New York freaking City – TODAY!
My heart was beating SO quickly. I thought it might beat straight out of my chest!
I got to the airport, and every time I was in some long, slow line (such as security), I’d ask the person next to me, “Guess where I’m gong?!” I couldn’t keep my excitement in! I was like a 5-year-old in a candy/Justin Bieber/toy store.
When I got on the plane, I saw a number of people from the New Orleans half marathon.
At the layover in Chicago, someone who had also done the race happened to find me. We ended up talking through the whole layover. By the time we got on the plane, we were already so familiar and having so much fun, the woman in front of us thought we were traveling together.
Brian was super fun, already cracking jokes about me – when the woman told us not to worry ’cause her baby was quiet, he joked about me being the loud one to worry about.
Brian is so adventurous! New Orleans was his first half marathon. Now he’s going to start planning vacations in fun, far away places based on which running events are occurring at the time. So cool, right? One race and he’s hooked! (Isn’t that how it always is?)
Our sweet, kind, awesome flight attendant had great jokes. He came over the speaker and said, “Is this anyone’s black wallet?” Everyone looked up. Then he said, “It’s my wallet. Now that I have your attention…” Everyone burst into laughter.
As I said before, I knew I missed New York. I guess I just didn’t know quite how much I missed it. When I was finally actually in the city, and I first saw perfection outside of the cab’s windows, my shoulders immediately fell to a more comfortable place. I didn’t even realize I’d been holding them tightly! It seemed as though I was able to breathe about three times as deeply. Every single fiber of my being knew I was in New York.
When I got to Times Square, I just wanted to hug the sidewalks. (I didn’t, but I sure did come close to sprawling out on the ground, and trying to hug every inch of the city I could find.)
I could not be happier that I took this trip. Now, if only I could make this trip once a month (week) (by week, I mean day)…
I totally get how you feel!! I love love love NYC and go every chance I get! Broadway is such a magical place! There are so many awesome things to do in New York that it warrants a visit often!!! I am always willing to go if you need a partner in crime!!!
I’m going after the Rock N Roll USA half in DC this weekend! I’d love to go see a show with you, or grab some Tasti D Lite, or do any other super fun thing in NYC!