NYC day two: 10050 steps

I had an ambitious day planned for today. But the rock n roll tour I was considering for Greenwich village is cancelled or full .. so scratched that. And I’m sure it’d be nice to see the fancy NYC board game store but then I’ll want to buy something which I’d have to lug around.

Most likely I wouldn’t find anyone to play a game with. Which makes the time and money to get there kinda wasted. Or I do play games (which I can do at home) and I stay and I miss out seeing Pirates of Penzance.

So I knocked off two big activities for afternoon allowing me to rest a bit longer this morning and have a rest in afternoon too. So I’m not unhappy about cutting back.

Morning:

Was all set to go out to start my day and was gonna just do a ten-minute meditation. Which was interrupted by a PA announcement in hotel that they were gonna start doing fire alarm testing.

Fuuuuuuuck. I got out quick then! 🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️

Called for an uber. It was a black Camry. I realized a black Camry parked across the street, so hustled across 42nd street — thank you congestion pricing for making streets less busy with cars! As I crossed I saw a black Camry with uber sticker stopping at my hotel on my original side of the street. Crap, which one is it? That black Camry then pulled a u turn to get to my new side of street… but then another woman got in that one! So… I asked first black Camry if he was Carlos… and he was, and disaster averted! 🤪🤣

I was dropped off at a entrance to Highline that I picked BECAUSE it has elevator. I didn’t see elevator right away, so I just took stairs ‘cause I’m feeling good. Then saw elevator as I huffed and puffed at top of stairs. LOL 😮‍💨

At least the weather is gorgous and my curls are bouncy!

The walk along The Highline was magnificent. Gorgeous flowers and amazing architecture. Loads of people watching. And I heard lots of Italian — still not good enough to eavesdrop.

Had a snack of a tangerine — delightful. Loads of benches and side areas on The Highline. it’s such a fantastic job of community development, urban planning, landscaping. No trash cans — but that also means no overflowing trash cans! Found one finally towards the south end.

Was heading to the Whitney art museum but realized I had a full bottle of water which some museums get weird about. So I first walked over to Little Island to look around and drink up. Fantastic choice!

I could’ve/should’ve stayed there longer. I kinda thought no need to see Pier 57 since I could see it wasn’t as magnificent. But I decided to go there for lunch after all.

Had a delish speck, goat cheese and fig jam sandwich. Nice flowers, but Pier 57 park was less interesting. And no seating with backs to enjoy my book.

Finally off to the Whitney. Ended up I had a fresh bottle of water Tom lunch… but they were cool with it as long as it was capped.

i texted Phyllis:

I must confess to being a little underwhelmed by the Whitney. I mean I know it’s no Met… but I didn’t expect that. 

I allotted 2 hours for it, but eh. Love the Hoppers. Came for Calder’s circus. Enjoying the Louise Nevelsons — we have a small one at museum back home. But I’m underwhelmed by the signage and the layout and the lighting in one room. It’s like, hey, where’s the world class museum.

I think I might be a snob… LOL 

But as I was leaving, my point about poor museum planning was proven true… a British man came up to me and said, is this museum free? He couldn’t find the ticket desk just as I couldn’t when I arrived! He laughed and said I doubted it was free, when I pointed out the ticket area. 

I liked the art that I saw - I didn’t go through whole thing. But I’m unimpressed by the museum. 

Took a taxi back to hotel with an older Greek gentleman.

Afternoon:

I’ve been resting! My feet are starting to ache. I did not walk enough in anticipation of this trip and I’m 20 lbs heavier, so this is all harder.

I bought a partially obstructed view seat for Pirates of Penzance, literally half the price. Penzance is big and showy, I can sit far away and miss a small part of it.

Now I rest more… the show is not until 8.

Evening:

Dinner at the hotel: linguini bolognese and Chianti

I saw Pirates! A Penzance Musical. I had not clued in that it was *not* actually Pirates of Penzance, but a fun adaptation with a New Orleans theme. I saw it ‘cause it’s near my hotel and starred David Hyde Pierce of Frasier. I rarely go see something for a star but I loved him so much in that show. He’s just brilliant and adorable. And he was in this too. Very energetic show!

And! I made new friends! My college pal Laura had a Kentucky friend and sister seeing the same shows as me yesterday and today. Clearly my new Kentucky pal Stacey has good taste in theater and friends!

And next to me in my obstructed view box was a lovely lady from Brooklyn, originally from Cuba. She talked my ear off. She’s a serious multi-shows a week theater goer.

And I turned down tickets to a comedy show from a hustler. And made it back to room to find I’d left my wallet here. Whew.