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One day just blends into another but we did so much each day. Luckily, I have pictures to remind me of what we
did. July 11th...Paige headed off to class and the three of us headed to Times Square. We went to the Fire Museum so
I could get Skip a shirt and a hat. Then we went over to Radio City Music Hall to get Paige a shirt. We didn't
have time to take a tour but maybe another day. Then we went over to the NBC store where we spent too much money
on stuff!!! There was a farmer's market going on but we only opted for the free samples. Julie took all of our
packages and headed back to the hotel while Paula and I headed to yet another theatre performance. We went to see Hairspray.
Paula had purchased the tickets before she came to NY. She likes ochestra seats and they were perfect...3rd row
center. It was amazing to see everything so close up. The story line is touching to those of us who lived
through the 60's. It was funny seeing Jerry Mathers (Beaver) as an adult. There is really no way to describe the
singing and dancing. It is a must see if you are in New York. We shopped at the CBS store before we caught the
subway back to the Uppper West side. We went shopping at Fairway market for a few groceries, picked up a pizza
and called it a night. That evening Julie and Paige went to the theatre to see Savion Glover, an amazing tap dancer.
Paige just had enough time to take a fast shower before they rushed to the subway to travel to the Chelsea area. Wouldn't
you know that this is the night it decided to pour down rain just as Paige was getting out of class. They made
it to the theatre in time because if you arrive late you don't get in. Paige was able to get him to autograph her tap
shoes and had her picture taken with him. They came home and told us all about their amazing evening.
Paige is enjoying her classes so much. We are all so proud that she won a scholarship to Steps on Broadway.
There were about 40 students in these intensive classes and only 5 of them won full scholarships. Paige also took a
class on one of her days off at Broadway Dance. She had wanted to take a class from this special teacher. When
we showed up, they had put a substitue teacher in his place. Paige wasn't sure she really wanted to take a class from
the sub. The clerical at the desk just looked at her like she was crazy. The sub was Nick Lazzarini...the first
winner of "So You Think You Can Dance". Paige has known him for many years and wasn't sure if she wanted to take the
class. She ended up taking the class but the studio really overbooked it and it was hard for the students to move around.
She did learn some new things so it wasn't a total loss.
| Sculpture at Trump International Hotel |
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| Sue and Julie |
One morning, Julie, Paula and I decided to get out a little early and try to get tickets to see The View. We walked
from 74th and Broadway to 66th and West End to the ABC studios. We arrived about 7:45 and got our standby tickets...numbers
27, 28 & 29. Now we had to come back at 10:10 to see if they would take any of the standby's for the show.
There were already people in line who had tickets. Just because you have a ticket it doesn't guarantee that you will
get into the show. We walked around the area. Taking pictures outisde the Trump International Hotel. There
is a huge sculpture of the world where we all took pictures. We arrived back at the studio at 9:45 but they wouldn't
let us stand on that side of the street until 10:10. So since I had to go to the bathroom, we went for yet another walk.
Up the block and around the corner was Trump Place. We wandered in and I asked the desk clerk if he could direct me
to public restrooms. He was very gracious and let us use the bathrooms in Trump Place. We then sat on the sofa's
in the lobby until 10:05 when we went back to ABC. They informed us that they weren't taking any standbys today and
that 20 of the people with tickets didn't get in either. We left and headed on another adventure.
Julie and I wanted to go to Chinatown. Paula had already been there on her previous visits to NY so she decided
to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. We all caught the subway at 66th Street but got off at different locations.
Once in Chinatown, we were approached by many, many people wanting us to "Buy a Purse"; "Buy a Coach"!!! We kept walking
but eventually Julie decided to follow this one woman into a store. There actually were 6 little shopkeepers in this
store. She took us to the back of the store and talked on her walky talky and then kicked the wall.
After about 5 time of kicking the wall we told her we would be on our way. Of course, she wanted us to stay and
she kicked the wall again. WHALLA...it opened and she showed us the steps to an upstairs room. Being careful women,
we sized it up...one looked up the staircase and the other remained outside the wall. Once we felt comfortable, we went
up the stairs. It was interesting but we chose not to buy anything. We then walked to Little Italy and stopped
at the Grotto for lunch. The waiter was very personable which is a plus when he has to deal with the two of us.
We had the lunch specials, some garlic bread and chocolate mousse cake. There was so much food that we both only ate
half and took the rest home for another meal...except for the cake of course!!! We walked over to the Tenament Museum
and then found an amazing coffee shop. They hadn't been open to long. They roast the beans there. Once you
order your coffee; the beans are selected, travel through these plastic tubes to a grinder and then ground for your pleasure.
We both had coffees...Julie hot and mine iced. We met the inventor of the system and his partner. They spent 30
minutes talking with us. It was so fascinating to hear their stories. When we all returned to the hotel, we exchanged
stories. Paula had an amazing day. She walked through the area where City Hall is and past some fascinating architecture.
She said the walk across the bridge was about 30 minutes. She purchased ice cream and then walked the 30 minutes back.
Unfortunately, the vendor took advantage and short changed her $10!! The pictures she took of the bridge and from the
bridge were awesome. Almost wish I had gone with her...maybe next time. She is a much faster walker than I am
BUT who isn't.
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| coffee shop owner and Julie |
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| one of the great fire stations |
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| City Hall |
continues to NY pg 5
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