It had finally arrived--the day where we were to see Jamie in his first off-Broadway play. We began the day the only way one can in New York City... with Bagels! Jason and I showered, dressed, and immediately called my parents to see where they and the bagels might be. Turns out, Dad and Jamie left early that morning to go find the best NY bagels. We joined mom in her room as we waited, our stomachs growling with ever-increasing desire. We love bagels. It was also Jason's number one item on his to-do list. Yes, it ranked before every other thing. "I kept hearing everyone going on about bagels--I just had to know" Jason said. "I gots to know!"
Luckily Dad had already grabbed some breakfast sandwiches and left them in the room for us while we waited for the real bagels. Here is a picture of Jason enjoying his sandwich.
Not long after waiting we hear a knock at the door... no, not bagels. It was the maid. We quickly left mom's room and went to ours to wait. Soon Jamie came running in the room; Dad was nowhere to be found. Jamie said hello but explained he didn't have a lot of time. He need to be at rehearsal in just a few minutes. "Where's Dad?" he asked. Apparently they split up after getting bagels. They planned to meet back at the hotel since Dad was bringing back our bagels, along with the bagels Jamie purchased for his fellow cast members. We called Dad and learned he had stopped to find some cream cheese and to listen to the bells of a nearby church. Jamie said goodbye and, oddly enough, ran into Dad on the way out.
Here is a picture of Jason's number one New York experience: The Bagel.
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After breakfast, the four of us set out for a morning stroll in the city. We ran into the same doorman from the previous two days. Mom looked at him and said "Did you ever leave?" He laughed and said he had gone to sleep but immediately came back. Somehow or other she and doorman began discussing their ages. He quickly said "How old do you think I am?" My mom gave her uncertain smile and said "21?" He laughed and said "You're too kind. I'm 26." Ha! She was waaaaaaay off base ;^) We said goodbye and turned right. We crossed a few avenues and quickly stumbled upon a street market. They blocked out the entire street for food trucks and retail carts. Mom found some amazing cannolis, which we promptly purchased and consumed. Delicious!
It wasn't long before we realized Jamie's play would soon be starting. We needed cash for the play, however. We walked back toward the hotel, which was unbelievably close to the theater, and stumbled upon a small convenient store. Mom and Dad bought some drinks and got cash back. Jason and I found an adorable card with a monkey on it, which we used to mail a letter to ourselves from NY with a momento inside. We always grab dirt from special places on every trip we take. Instead of putting it in a small baggy and getting ourselves arrested at the airport for having a small baggy, we chose to mail it to ourselves. Actually, the hotel's front desk person was kind enough to mail it.
After leaving the store, we made our way to the play. Just a few buildings over from the theater, we ran into Jamie's friend Jacob. He walked in with us and helped us figure out where to go--we get confused sometimes.
We found our seats and waited to see Jamie. He played Dr. John Buchanan in a famous Tennessee Williams Play called Summer and Smoke. He was fantastic! Truly, my brother has talent and charisma to boot! I will say, however, that it was very strange hearing my brother try to force a southern accent. Don't get me wrong--he did it beautifully! How ironic that the man who worked so hard to avoid a southern accent was not in need of one. Ha! It was a lot of fun getting to see him and the other three plays. Side note: Tennessee Williams is one depressed guy. Just sayin'.
After the plays were over, it was nearly dinner time. We decided to walk to an Carmines for dinner. Carmines was a place Dad, Mom, Jamie, and I had been to the last time we all went to New York together. It was an Italian restaurant, which would help Jason cross off number 2 on his NY to-do list: New York Pizza. Upon arrival, however, we discovered the wait was rather ridiculous. Luckily, Jamie was quick with his phone and soon discovered a restaurant where you get buy a true NY slice. Jacob led the way, since he lives in NY and knows where to go. We walked quite a few blocks, passing the Empire State Building and the Cake Boss restaurant.
The whole way to the restaurant, Jason and I kept saying "I'm Gonna Go Get Me A New York Slice!" You can't not quote Michael Scott from the Office when talking about New York Pizza.
We turned into the restaurant and were immediately struck with the strong scent of cheese and red sauce, a wall filled with pie after pie to our right. "Whatta ya want?" the pie master sounded. "All of the pizzas!!!" I silently yelled in my mind. We picked our slices, paid at the register, and took our seats. It was a small restaurant, although extremely busy. Not one table was big enough for all of us. Jamie was able to save two tables near one another. Here are some pictures:
Us... we're always so happy after pizza!
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Below is my favorite picture of Dad. The moment I took it I began laughing. I could literally see "The Walker Word" forming. "SHIIIIIIIIIIIT"
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Below is a picture of Dad smiling after I told him why I couldn't stop laughing.
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Below is a picture of Jamie waiting for the restroom.
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And this is Jamie being frustrated by having to wait! Haha! Side note: the bathroom here was amazing. It was smaller than Harry Potter's first bedroom!
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After enjoying our delicious dinner, we all decided to get dessert. This was our first stop for dessert:
We walked into the Cake Boss Cafe only to find delicious-looking cakes at ridiculous-sounding prices! Needless to say, we promptly left. I almost stole some Sugar in the Raw for Jason that was by the door... just out of principle. I didn't though. Oh well. Mom and Dad have a picture of all of us standing in front of the cafe as though we ate there :^) We're liars but we don't care :^)
After being disappointed with the boss, we headed over to the Roxy for some cheesecake. On our last family vacation to NY we had the most delicious cheesecake at this restaurant and were excited to try it again. Sadly, it was another bust. We were seated only to find delicious-looking cheesecake for even more absurd prices. We then left and found some small bakery with desserts inside. Not sure the name of the cafe, but we think it was called Europa Cafe. We all just bought some tiny cookies and Jacob a large M&M cupcake. However, one does not just simply forget about Cheesecake, even after small cookies. Jason says, especially after small cookies. Therefore, we decided to go to Juniors again. Here is a picture of mom and Jamie at the Juniors' bakery:
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After buying a coconut cake slice and two or three very small cheesecake bites, we decided to go to Rockefeller Center to eat them. This is where Dad headed back to the hotel... it was rather late. After Dad left, Jason told me that they had talked while Mom, Jamie, and I were picking out cheesecake. Apparently my dad told Jason that he felt lucky that we were on the trip. He said we were able to figure out what to do and where to go. Basically we were helpful. Thanks Dad :^)
Once making our way past this statue and the strange shrubbery above it,
Jason could now cross off number 9 on his to-do list: see Rockefeller Center. We had a blast taking pictures, sitting on the steps, eating cheesecake, and making crude gestures so mom would freak out. Here are pictures:
After taking these pictures, we decided to call off the last big adventure we had planed... it was far too late and we had to catch a plane in the morning. The original plan was to catch the bus in Time Square and get on the boat tour. Sadly, because it was too late we were unable to do the boat tour or cross off number 8 on Jason's to-do list: see the Brooklyn Bridge. Jason said he was okay with it... it was really late. Mom headed back to the hotel while the rest of us decided to go shopping.
Jamie took us over to the Nintendo Store and Lego store but both were closed. I thought it was the city that never sleeps! Liars! Although these were closed, the Toy's R Us in Times Square is always open. We walked the back way to the store, avoiding Time Square completely.... previous experience led us to this wise decision. The store was amazing! Here are pictures:
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