Starting a New Year
I want to be a part of it: New York, New York.
Well Frank and Liza, I was a part of it – New York City to welcome in the New Year. What was first a passing suggestion from a group of friends during our annual Labor Day in the Bay event became a reality and a short stop over on my way back to Canada after Christmas in California.
More than a year ago a good friend, Brett Schleicher, moved to New York to take a new job and since then has offered (more than once) for friends to come visit and stay with him in his apartment in Manhattan.
I arrived Thursday evening to a city that was still recovering from a historical snowfall just two days before – most of the pack was melted by the time I arrived and the weather stayed unseasonably warm (mid 40s Fahrenheit) for the majority of the trip. For the first evening Laura Baldwin selected a Broadway show for the group to attend – Momma Mia. Now of course there are numerous shows to choose from on Broadway but Momma Mia fit our schedule the best…albeit the show isn’t exactly most guys’ first choice I will say we all appreciated the incredible talent of the performers…those people can sing! And with all do respect to Meryl Streep, all of the characters sung much better than those in the movie.
I want to be a part of it: New York, New York.
Well Frank and Liza, I was a part of it – New York City to welcome in the New Year. What was first a passing suggestion from a group of friends during our annual Labor Day in the Bay event became a reality and a short stop over on my way back to Canada after Christmas in California.
More than a year ago a good friend, Brett Schleicher, moved to New York to take a new job and since then has offered (more than once) for friends to come visit and stay with him in his apartment in Manhattan.
I arrived Thursday evening to a city that was still recovering from a historical snowfall just two days before – most of the pack was melted by the time I arrived and the weather stayed unseasonably warm (mid 40s Fahrenheit) for the majority of the trip. For the first evening Laura Baldwin selected a Broadway show for the group to attend – Momma Mia. Now of course there are numerous shows to choose from on Broadway but Momma Mia fit our schedule the best…albeit the show isn’t exactly most guys’ first choice I will say we all appreciated the incredible talent of the performers…those people can sing! And with all do respect to Meryl Streep, all of the characters sung much better than those in the movie.
From the show we moved on to a two hour marathon of saki bombs and karaoke – my first experience really getting on a microphone and singing to a group…let’s just say it’s a good thing there was saki because none of us (disappointingly even myself) can carry a tune to save our lives.
New Year’s eve morning was a later start with takeout (bagels and fresh coffee) delivered to Brett’s apartment within seven minutes of ordering, no kidding. The amount of takeout options in New York is simply, for me, unbelievable. You can have food of every kind from every country in the world and never step outside your door. After breakfast typical tourist actions ensued including getting lost on the subway a few times, visiting Ground Zero (an emotional moment for me) and just relishing in all that is New York City. New Year’s Eve had been pre-planned well in advance and upon our desire to not battle the crowds of Times Square, Brett booked a corner suite on the 18th floor of the DoubleTree Hotel overlooking Times Square – and all I’ll say is that the views were amazing and the pictures speak for themselves. From our room we watched the crowds below and from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight celebrated New Year’s from across the world with a fireworks show – definitely the most memorable New Year’s for me.
New Year’s day was again a slower start but began with a ride on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and amazing views of New York. Brett walked us around a mix of little and well known places and neighborhoods, with the ability to keep a low profile and not look like complete tourists. We ate incredible foods but we canceled out the calories with all of our walking. Sarah Vaccaro, accompanied by her ever patient husband Joe, showed and pointed out all the incredible architecture that New York displays…skyscrapers in the Financial District to three story walkups in SoHo…so much to see and appreciate.
New Year’s eve morning was a later start with takeout (bagels and fresh coffee) delivered to Brett’s apartment within seven minutes of ordering, no kidding. The amount of takeout options in New York is simply, for me, unbelievable. You can have food of every kind from every country in the world and never step outside your door. After breakfast typical tourist actions ensued including getting lost on the subway a few times, visiting Ground Zero (an emotional moment for me) and just relishing in all that is New York City. New Year’s Eve had been pre-planned well in advance and upon our desire to not battle the crowds of Times Square, Brett booked a corner suite on the 18th floor of the DoubleTree Hotel overlooking Times Square – and all I’ll say is that the views were amazing and the pictures speak for themselves. From our room we watched the crowds below and from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight celebrated New Year’s from across the world with a fireworks show – definitely the most memorable New Year’s for me.
New Year’s day was again a slower start but began with a ride on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and amazing views of New York. Brett walked us around a mix of little and well known places and neighborhoods, with the ability to keep a low profile and not look like complete tourists. We ate incredible foods but we canceled out the calories with all of our walking. Sarah Vaccaro, accompanied by her ever patient husband Joe, showed and pointed out all the incredible architecture that New York displays…skyscrapers in the Financial District to three story walkups in SoHo…so much to see and appreciate.
Until my departure back to Canada on Monday the group continued to go on more adventures sometimes splitting off to fulfill the desires of what we wanted to see or do while in the Big Apple. Some to museums such as the MoMA, others to restaurants or fun speakeasys. I would say my personal highlight for the trip was a visit to the top of Rockerfeller Center (commonly known in New York as The Top of The Rock). From this 70 story viewpoint you have a 360 degree spread of New York, including the Empire State Building and Central Park...all for a reasonable cost and a much quicker line than what you would encounter at the Empire State Building. Also on the same day, I had a chance to catch up a great friend, JP Moncayo, who I haven't seen since my ASI days at Cal Poly (JP was ASI President at Fresno State the same year.) He now works for Goldman Sachs in NYC - great to see you JP!!
Now back in Guelph and wouldn’t you know it – snow! When I landed on Monday night there wasn’t a flake on the ground only to open my door on Tuesday morning to a winter “wonderland.”
Now back in Guelph and wouldn’t you know it – snow! When I landed on Monday night there wasn’t a flake on the ground only to open my door on Tuesday morning to a winter “wonderland.”
Look for the next post which will include stories and scenes from a visit from the one and only Joseph Vaccaro as he ventures up to Toronto for work and some hang out time.
For pictures from the New York trip you can visit my album (even if you don't have a Facebook account) by clicking here
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