New York

Ever since I heard the NPR Fresh Air Interview on the new Broadway play The Book of Mormon I've been planning a trip to New York City. I'm so very lucky to not only have family in New York, but in Manhattan and family that I LOVE!

My cousin Kali and her husband Andy moved back to the upper east side in Manhattan earlier this year and so I was able to stay with them. The first night we had an amazing dinner at Rosa Mexicano and then Andy took us to a local speak easy. How crazy was that- we knocked on a door in a basement and the guy opens the door and says "How many" we say "Three" he says "We don't have room" and closes the door. We wait a bit and then he opens it again and says "How many?" and we say "Three" and he says "Ok, come in." It was such a dark and small venue but in the back there was a small kitchen/bar area where we ordered drinks and talked. The bartender was dressed in 1920's style and did a great job making drinks.

Saturday morning Kali and I went jogging in Central Park which was absolutely beautiful with the leaves changing color. As always, it was nice jogging and chatting with Kali. After our jog we walked past the Metropolitan Museum and then grabbed a Starbucks. What a perfect New York Saturday morning!

After getting ready for the day, we headed out on the subway for the WTC. It was phenomenal seeing Freedom Tower half way built and towering above the other buildings. It was great timing to be in NYC for the Occupy Wall Street movement. I got to see the movement first hand and see the people, tents, signs, police and crowds all first hand! Then we did some much needed retail therapy at century 21 and I picked up a new dress shirt and some 2XST undies. Finally we headed back to Kali's place to rest and then get ready for going to the Broadway play!

The Book of Mormon was absolutely everything I expected and then so much more. It's an expensive trip just for a play, but I want to just to see it again. It was that good. I laughed, I teared up, I clapped and I sang along. And in all of that, I was one with the audience. Yes, the literal credibility of Mormonism was challenged but it wasn't cynical. The 'point' that I took away from the play was really whatever you believe in life is ok, if that's what helps give you purpose.


After the show there was no time to dilly dally; we had to meet up with Andy and his friends who were out celebrating Billy's birthday at the Lambs Club. What a blast! Billy and his wife Liz are a great time! We chatted and drank all evening, and I ended up meeting some guys from Sonoma and San Francisco at the same bar in New York City! Small world! Then we bounced around to some different clubs and ended up back at Kali and Andy's house early the next morning.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day in the city. Kali and I went to Central Park and watched the 2011 New York Marathon runners finishing up the race. Kali was oddly enthusiastic cheering on the runners. Then we checked out Highline Park- what an amazing idea! The city took an old elevated railway and turned it into an elevated walk along park. Brilliant idea! That evening we got ready and headed out to see Avenue Q. I'd heard some of the songs from Kali earlier that year so I had an idea of what to expect. The puppets were great and the story was very cute. I enjoyed the adult themed play very much. It was a great laugh.

After the play we went through Times Square and made our way to Magnolia Bakery where we nabbed some red velvet cupcakes just as they were closing and enjoyed them at Rockerfeller plaza.