Thursday, July 20, 2017

We Took a Bite of the Apple.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to travel know that there is always some kind of time warp upon re-entry to our homes. I spent a week with my granddaughter and husband on a special 10th birthday celebration in New York City.  We had planned this a year in advance and participated in a workshop that introduced us to Broadway and the surrounding area.  This was like visiting another planet and we were a little dazed upon re-entry to the rural country.

I have been to New York City a few times before, but I think this was finally the time that solidified for me the layout of Mid-Town south to Washington Square Park.  The workshop had us moving throughout the theater district as well as the other tourist areas.  We walked many blocks some days but also took the subway sometimes and relied on cabs at the end of the week. 

I will not fill this post with the 800+ photos that I took.   But it was fun!

Taken from the top of the Empire State Building.
It was an active time and it was invigorating and exhausting to be on a daily schedule again in our lives.  Grandchildren and Grandparents were lectured and taught by dancers and actors on Broadway.  There were 13 children, only two of them boys, between the ages of 9 and 12.


For most, it was a first time trip to the Big Apple.



We went behind the stage of the Art Deco New Amsterdam Theater which was currently playing Alladin.  The history of this theater was amazing in that it was almost completely torn down before being saved.  Those decorative balconies in the top photo had been cut away when it was a movie house and all the beautiful decorations were painted black.  It was abandoned for a long time and then purchased without the buyers seeing the inside which had become a place for rats, mice, mold, etc.  It is a truly beautifully restored landmark.  We saw Alladin at this theater and Wicked at another theater as well as the show Blue Man Group.  The actor who has played Jafar (for over 20 years both as a voice for the animated version and acting on stage) was interviewed during the workshop.


The professional dancers also got us up on our feet to practice using space with our bodies and to practice trading leads with our grandchild.



The children rehearsed singing and dancing to one of the songs from Aladdin and I am waiting for the video to share with Mom and Dad.  

We used a few days of free time to do traditional tourist stuff.




There, only 0.012% of my photos.  Pretty good, huh?

16 comments:

  1. It sounds like everyone had a terrific time. It's been ages since I've been to New York and there's so much there to see and do.

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  2. Such a fun experience for all involved. How wonderful you could do this workshop with your grandchild.

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  3. Excellent! You chose wonderful photos and words to give us a taste of your adventure.

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  4. Now that's a great way to see NYC I bet! You had a focus and spent time in one of the most iconic parts of the city. So cool for your granddaughter. I would love to go to NYC.

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  5. I admire your restraint. More would have been fine though.
    Is your granddaughter interested in the theater? It does sound like an interesting reason to visit NYC.

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    1. She was the year we planned the trip. This year she is on to a new passion. But she still had fun.

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  6. It looks like it was a wonderful time in the Big Apple. I really like that picture of the girls in front of the window looking out. :-)

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  7. How nice you could do it. Sounds like memories of a lifetime.

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  8. sounds like great fun for the kids, something they will always remember. and don't be so stingy with your photos!

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  9. What a unique idea for a vacation. Feel free to show a few more photos. :)

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  10. Excellent Good! Fun trip for sure with so many around you.
    Its been decades since I've been in the City. Posts like yours make me miss those days.

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  11. What a wonderful trip especially for the 10-year-old. You are amazing grandparents.

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  12. Great birthday celebration!

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  13. It looks so wonderful. Sigh.

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  14. Oh, you are wonderful. Everyone seems to have had a grand time. The workshop is a perfect idea as there would be no other way to do the things you did. Yes, I would like to see many more pictures. :)

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  15. I've come back again to see your pictures. :)

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Take your time...take a deep breath...then hit me with your best shot.