This post really has to be about a day and a half-- because our NYC Trip began with Jackie and I at the SLC airport checking in on 78 excited people loading up for the Big Apple. There were no issues with missing id's, being held at security (this was different on the way home), and with the exception of our plane taking off a little late, it was pretty uneventful (thanks to the combination of Mr. Melatonin and Ms. Zyquil to knock you out on a red eye...)
So, 78 of us arrived at JFK bright eyed and bushy tailed at 5:30am. Our travel agent was there to meet us and we loaded up between 2 tour busses and headed into the city.
We arrived at the Hampton Inn Times Square North around 8am, ate breakfast, met up with our other group members (2 were from Finland) and we split up into 4 groups to hit the city (the Hampton Inn did not want us camped out in their lobby for 6 hours until our rooms were ready). Kelly DeHaan and I took Group #1 off to the Times Square Visitors Center where we went on a guided audio tour of the theatre district called WALKIN BROADWAY. It hadn't gotten crazy hot yet and it was a good way to introduce students to the theatre district. We showed them TKTS and walked by OF MICE AND MEN where people were already lining up for Rush Tickets.
Now, while we were doing this tour, Jackie and Kelly Riding took a group out to the Brooklyn Bridge-- where people started dropping like flies. Brent and Amanda Cox also took a group out there-- and, even though chaos ensued, everyone made it to Grand Central Station (although Jackie's group didn't eat until after their WALKIN BROADWAY tour-- which made their tour not so fun...).
After my group toured, we hit the Brooklyn Bridge (where it was very hot) and I assigned different students to be navigators- and took everyone for their first subway ride. Our group has unlimited subway passes so we want them comfortable with the system.
After the bridge, it was time for lunch-- we hit the Grand Central Station food court and then we walked along 42nd St. to see the NYC Public Library. At this point, it was hot. Really hot. And humid. And we had gotten off a red eye-- so some participants were delirious/hallucinating (I, for instance, thought for a second that 4 people were running up and down the stairs of the Public Library and doing pushups-- in 90 degree heat with high humidity-- and it turns out I was correct).
After the library, it was on the subway back up tot he hotel-- where, miracle of miracles- a lot of our rooms were ready.
As Jackie's group and the Coxes group came tumbling in, we were able to right up to the rooms-- except for me and a few stalwarts who were off to TKTS to get matinee tickets for the next day (Kinky Boots was the purchase for me, Jackie and Kelly DeHaan).
After that, it was back to the hotel for a quick shower, and then off to take the group for their first Broadway show: Matilda.
Even though Jackie and I saw it last year, I love this show! Although the understudy was on for Miss honey, Christopher Siebert was a fantastic Trunchbull and the kids in the show are so amazing-- the technical aspects are fantastic- and everyone loved the show.
After Matilda, it was off to Eatery (another NYC tradition) where we had hilarious conversations about Transformers and Kelly DeHaan sang songs from Puberty the musical (followed by a donut ice cream sandwich).
Room checks were done at midnight and I tucked myself into bed--when Jackie, Kelly Riding and Kelly DeHaan all had a second wind around 1am and began singing... good times!!
Day 1 down-- and no chafing.
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