For Fourth of July, Adam and I boarded a plane and went to the Big Apple.
Adam has never been and I have never really done New York the cool way - staying in Time Square and not having to catch a train or a bus to cross the bridge for the night.
When we got off the plane at 5:15pm, we headed over to our beautiful hotel, Marriott Marquis. We dropped our bags off and grabbed a cab to go to the Lincoln Center to see if we could snag South Pacific tickets.
South Pacific has been sold out for months ahead but like every other theater, there is still a cancellations line and several not credible looking scalpers. About 10 minutes before the show began, I was starting to lose hope that something would pop up because we had sent a scary-looking scalper guy away and there seemed to be no movement at the cancellations line. Finally, an older gentleman with a cane came by and said he had two front row loge seats for $120 each. I tried to bargain him down but that didn't quite work and he was selling the tickets for face value. So I bought them and we went in to see one of the top shows in New York right now.
South Pacific was an awesome show. It might have been one of the best I had ever seen actually. The crowd sang along, the theater was packed and the energy was fantastic.
After the show, we found our way back to our hotel and after changing shoes, we went out to Time Square where we found New York greasy pizza in a window which we quickly consumed. After that, we walked around and took this great photo of Adam with a Yahoo sign in the back.
Time Square was bursting with tourists, energy and this sense of rushing that I can never avoid in NYC. I feel that every time I get to Manhattan, I walk a little faster, smile a little less and try to take in the air, smell and way of life that inhabits every New Yorker. Not to say that spending two days in Time Square has anything to do with being in New York, the feeling still permeates.
The next morning, we woke up to meet my sister who just came back from Germany. We found a New York bagel across the street from the New York Public Library. It was also good to get out of the square and get to see normal people walking around minding their own daily routines.
We then went into the library which was stunning and had on display some of the original versions of the Declaration of Independence. I think for Irene it was a good reminder of the US after being abroad for a month.
After our quick stop at the library, we headed up 5th Avenue towards Central Park where we were supposed to meet Eddie and Jen.
My friend Sara had mentioned to me that she truly believes that a stroll up 5th Avenue is a must for all first time visitors. I didn't necessarily believe her, but seeing the City through someone else's eyes - I think she was right about it.
Eventually we made our way to Central Park - where I had actually never spent that much time before and it was really awesome. This spread of trees and calm right in the middle of one of the busiest city in the world is completely surreal. 
We saw the Alice in Wonderful statue, a mini lake with tiny power boats, kids biking, students reading, athletes jogging. Definitely a utility park that everyone can find a use for.
Eventually we found my friends at the Lake. Finding people in Central Park sounds a lot easier than it actually is - but eventually it worked out. 
We then went and found lunch on the west side of the park in a tiny French bistro where the waiter was only marginally interested in us. And that felt somehow very appropriate for the experience.
After lunch, we parted with Eddie and Jen and went to find the Turtle Pond before heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I have to say that I think the best argument New York can make for me to live there is the Met. As my sister pointed out, most cities of the world could make a whole museum around one of the works that the Met is full of.
That building is so intricate, so full of life of artists - who are all so well known. The impressionist rooms alone were phenomenal and easily competed with D'Orsay in Paris.
The contribution system at the Met is interesting I thought. Admission is free but there is a suggested contribution of $20. Additionally, you have to stand in line and get a ticket. So if you choose not to contribute, you definitely get a dirty look. We were only going to be in the museum for an hour or so but definitely got a dirty look for not contributing the full $20 each.
After our quick stop at the Met - as funny as that sounds - we went back to our hotel and got ready for dinner and a show. We had a good dinner at Sparks Steakhouse where we befriended a Croatian waiter who is recently married and whose wife is coming to New York shortly. But he wasn't wearing a ring and didn't have a photo of his wife...so I'm a little skeptical of his prospects.
Then headed to see Gypsy with Patty LuPone - courtesy of Adam's parents. Gypsy is another revival with beautiful music and a great story line.
Once the show ended, we went to the top of our hotel which has a rotating bar. We couldn't get a seat for a table of two because apparently every other tourist had the same idea. So we ended up pairing up with a random couple from BC and got a table for four. Over the next hour and a half we learned all about their lives - he is a contractor and she is a nurse. They are both divorced and with children but not yet married to each other. They willingly gave advice on life and love and acceptance of circumstances.
As that part of our evening came to an end, we went back out to the street to find an M&M cookie (now it's about 1am) and then had a caricature drawn of us. The caricature doesn't look anything like us, but I suppose we will let our friends judge that.
The following morning, we headed to Port Authority and caught a bus to the Poconos to visit with my family.
I think it was a good introduction to NYC. Though of course, not a complete one.
