by Donna Swagerty Shreve
The day had finally arrived and I was off on my yearly grand adventure. I had packed carefully and rearranged my wardrobe to what I thought I would need. A friend Ginny and I were driven to a motel near the airport in San Francisco by my husband, John. We had dinner at a fun restaurant nearby and got ready for an early start. The next morning we had a quick breakfast and caught the airport bus to a flight that was already delayed. I had a window seat in the terminal and was able to watch a crew replace the plane’s windshield.
Unfortunately, a year before, I had encountered a flight delay that ended up being six hours. This time it was just over an hour. Our flight took off and landed in New Jersey six hours later. About midway through our cross country flight, the intercom came on and asked if there was a doctor on board. If there was, would that person push the call button so the stewards could find him or her. Then the intercom asked if a nurse was available. The next announcement asked for a French/English translator. The woman in my row went back to help. She came back later and said a young woman had had a diabetic episode and was recovering. We were instructed to remain seated while the paramedics came on board and removed her first before we were allowed to depart.
I had made an agreement with Ginny if we had any trouble with the cheap bus that would take us into New York City, I would agree to split a cab with her. Ginny had traveled to New York on several previous occasions in much fancier accommodations. There was usually a car waiting for Ginny and her friend. They stayed at the Weston Hotel right in the thick of the theatre district. Ginny’s friend also hired a ticket broker for Broadway tickets. I had Brad. Brad just happened to know people who worked at the theatre we were wanting to attend. We got, what are known as, house tickets. Those tickets are set aside in case very important people show up and need tickets. Brad was able to get house seats for all of our shows which meant we always had excellent seats.
We caught the bus as it was right outside the airport. A taxi would have been $80 and this bus was $9.50. We were delivered by the bus to the Port Authority and walked three blocks to the Yotel which has quite reasonable rates for New York City. The cabins are very similar to small cabins on a cruise ship. There is a fourth floor dedicated to many various spaces for people gathering. There were two bars, a full dining room, a breakfast bar for coffee, tea and various baked goods. Seating varied from an outdoor patio, sofas and very modern looking chairs. There was a person at a small counter if you need anything. We spent eight days there and never talked to any staff except the waiters. As you enter the hotel you register on one of the banks of computers. You can check out on your phone.
Brad met us in the lobby and guided us to dinner. His first choice was quite crowded so we continued to the next choice called Five Napkin Burger. Salads, burgers and sandwiches were available and quite delicious. Unfortunately on our way to dinner, the skies opened up and we arrived a bit wet. By the time we finished dinner, the rain went away and we had an easy walk back to the Yotel. On our way back, Brad had us stop at a special cookie shop called Smackers. Unusually there was not a long line so it was a quick stop. I was amazed at the variety of delicious choices. Ginny and I got one cookie each and Brad got a small bag with several choices.
Brad, Donna and Ginny inside the Oculus
The next morning Ginny was not wanting breakfast so I went with Brad to a fun restaurant called The Rustic Table. The menu offered some amazing dishes that were not the usual restaurant fare. The weather had cleared up from the previous day and Brad suggested a walk to the nearest subway so we could go with him to Jersey City right across the river from Manhattan. He took us to the Oculus which is a new structure near the World Trade Center. This structure seems as if you are inside the skeleton of a huge whale. Many shops are along the way and the subway and trains have a station where you can travel to many places.
We headed over to Jersey City along the waterfront. Brad was teaching a class in a building nearby while we wandered by the waterfront as we waited for him. It was a glorious day and we got an interesting view of Manhattan that you would not get unless you were in a boat. We took various pictures and then went to lunch. Brad knew of a farm to table restaurant that served fresh bowls full of delicious ingredients. I wondered where all of these farms were!
We returned to our hotel and Brad gave us a good recommendation of a restaurant for dinner before our first Broadway show. We went to the Japanese restaurant and had sushi which was just enough after our lunch. That first show was “Come From Away.” Being that it was Wednesday, the start time was 7:00. The story is about what happened when United States planes were diverted to Canadian airports because of the terror attacks on 9/11. I had seen the play two years previous and was more than willing to see it again so Ginny could experience the upbeat positive message about humans rising to their better selves and helping complete strangers. I recognized many of the original cast and was surprised to see so many still with the production. To carry on from the plane incident, we witnessed another medical emergency in the theatre. About twenty minutes before the end of the play, the lights came up and the theatre speakers asked the actors to leave the stage. A few minutes previously I noticed a man walk very purposefully up the aisle. He looked like he had a definite purpose in mind. Soon after him came a woman who was very wobbly. I was sitting on the aisle and I remember hoping she did not fall on me. Sure enough she collapsed about three rows behind me. The paramedics came in and took her away. The play then resumed and we exited through only one door as the others were blocked. We noticed some fresh stain on the rug where she had fallen and the ambulance was still out front as we exited. It must have taken a while to stabilize her. Fortunately there were no more medical incidents during our trip that we were aware of.
Thursday we both had breakfast at the Yotel. There were pastries, various drinks, fruits and yogurt. It was all we needed. We then headed to Brad’s apartment which was only three blocks away. Ginny got to see her first NYC studio apartment. Everything in his space has a place. He is on the 24th floor so he has a great view of the Hudson River. Brad then had us follow him to the newly redone neighborhood of Hudson Yards. There was the Vessel which we would conquer tomorrow. The Shed was another structure that has venues for large crowds. Then the center of Hudson Yards contained the massive shopping center full of high end shops.
We traveled on all seven floors and looked at all of the available shopping opportunities. A great variety of eating opportunities were before us. As we headed back, Brad noticed I was not keeping up. I confessed that my knee hurt and he had the cure. We returned to his apartment and he used a massage device and broke down the knots in my hip that were affecting my knee. It was not pleasant but I did have to admit my knee felt better. Brad also warned me that while we were at our next show he would getting his first tattoo on the inside of his left arm. He had shopped around and this particular artist was from Paris and only in Manhattan for a short time. I took a picture of his arm before so I could contrast it with the after picture.
This time Ginny and I dined at a Chinese restaurant recommended by Brad. We tried Dim Sum and then headed for our second play. Brad had given me a bit of preview for some of the special effects we would witness. The playing presented was “Network” starring Bryan Cranston. Some of the audience actually sat on stage as if they were at a restaurant. They were served throughout the play. My seventh row seat was just fine. There were several hand held cameras on stage that projected to a huge scene at the back of the stage. A control booth to the left on the stage chose which camera was used. The stage was quite busy and you were looking at several things at once. Bryan Cranston had to project on stage and then also make his performance appropriate for the camera and screen.
At a certain point his character goes crazy on stage and has a breakdown. I can not imagine that energy eight times a week. The play also delivers quite a message about corporate America and you leave the theatre with many things to ponder about our present state of affairs.
Friday morning I suggested to Ginny that I take her to a fun breakfast place that I had gone to with Brad. She agreed and off we headed to the Rustic Table. After a wonderful breakfast we headed over to Hudson Yards. I had obtained entrance tickets for The Vessel online. The Vessel is an artistic structure with 360 degree views of lower Manhattan. It contains 2,500 steps but you don’t need to step on all of them. There is an elevator but Ginny and I walked all the way up and then walked all the way down. I was proud to walk past the long line to the elevator. It sounds much more challenging that it actually is. We saw many sights and then left to make room for the next set of people scheduled.
Now Ginny and I had a free afternoon to spend. We did not want to shop at the high end shops and were not really hungry for lunch. We found a movie theatre nearby and watched POMS. It features old ladies and we spent an entertaining afternoon out of the rain.
Brad met us back at the Yotel and revealed his new tattoo. He was very pleased with it so I was happy for him. He took us to dinner at a wonderful place called The Meatball Shop. It featured every meatball you could imagine. Then we headed to the theatre with Brad to watch “Kiss Me Kate”. This is the third play for us and all of the total five plays we saw were nominated for some Tonys to be awarded in June. Kelli O’Hara is the new darling of Broadway and she did a great job. There were fun songs, fabulous dancing and involved plot. It was set in 1948 and had all of the bells and whistles one would expect from a Broadway musical.
Saturday had glorious weather so Brad decided we should be tourists. He took us to the wharf near 42nd Street and we boarded The Lobster Boat. We headed up the Hudson River and ate our lunch as we went up river. The sun was out in all of its glory and we actually got too much sun on our winter bodies. After the cruise Brad gave us a grand tour of his gym called Life Time. It is quite fancy as it tries to take care of all of your needs. Ginny signed up for a massage for the next day.
We got a short rest and then Brad and Ian came by to take us to dinner. Brad ordered us a car as we were headed up to upper 70s on the west side to Joanna’s apartment next to Central Park. Joanna is a client of Brad’s and a theatre friend. Brad was treating her to our next play as usually it is Joanna treating Brad to the theatre so she has a companion. Joanna gave us a tour of her beautiful new apartment and served a gourmet dinner. All five of us then got a Uber and arrived for “Ain’t Too Proud.” Brad is friends with the choreographer and again got fabulous seats. The play is about the story of the Temptations. The show was full of music, dancing and drama. To add to the fabulous performance, Sergio Trujullio met us after the show and gave us a personal back stage tour. It always amazes me when I see the behind the scenes. I must mention that Sergio received a Tony for his choreography It takes so many people to put it together. I have to admit with all of the fabulous theatre experiences, this was my favorite.
Brad pulled out all the stops for Mother’s Day. He had made reservations at Chez Josephine knowing it would please me so much. Nineteen years ago my sister and I took our mother to New York to see “Lion King.” It was only playing in New York and had not gone on the road yet. I did some research and found the restaurant Chez Josephine. We had a magical dinner there before we took Mom to her dream show. Last year I noticed it being close to where I was staying and Brad and I went for dinner. Nineteen years later it did not disappoint. So this year Brad made reservations for six for Mother’s Day Brunch. Brad, Ginny and I were were on one side of the table and Ian, his mother and sister sat on the other side. Ian and Brad have been together for over a year and I was meeting part of Ian’s family for the first time. There was a set menu with three choices for our lunch. The food was fabulous and there was even a piano player in our room.
After a very special Mother’s Day celebration Ian, Brad, Ginny and I went on to the theatre to watch our last play. We sat center in the fifth row to watch To Kill A Mockingbird. Jeff Daniels was staring as Atticus Finch and Aaron Sorkin had rewritten the play. It was set in 1936 but certainly resonated to our present times. Ginny went to her hotel room and Ian went on back to his apartment. Brad and I met up at a small quiet wine bar in the neighborhood and had a light dinner consisting of a cheese plate and a meat plate with a bit of bubbly. Our conversations topped off a wonderful day.
The next morning was Monday and Brad picked us up and we ventured on the subway to a Lego store where we bought a birthday gift for Brad’s nephew and my grandson. The store was magical and we had fun trying out the various exhibits. Then Brad took us to a special eatery called Eataly . It was a large complex where everything was Italy. We did a quick tour of all the choices and then sat down in comfortable seats for lunch. We were ignored so Brad went over and got some menus. We then got the attention of a waiter who informed us we had the wrong menus for those seats. We then asked for the proper menus for our seats that we did not want to give up our seating. Fortunately lunch was delicious and we headed back to our hotel and Brad went off to a client.
That evening we had been invited to dinner at a friend’s apartment, I have had since grade school. Ginny got to see her third residence of a New Yorker. We had a lovely dinner and conversation with Ann and then returned to our hotel. Brad and Ian came over to say goodbye as we were leaving the next morning.
Brad arrived early in the morning and ordered us a car and made sure we were picked up for our trip to the Newark airport. Brad followed through to make sure we made it to the airport with no trouble. He is the best tour guide and I had a friend volunteer to be his second mother if one was needed or could be obtained.
Again our flight was delayed by an hour but we had no incidents and made up some flight time. John picked us up in Dublin when our BART train had traveled to its last stop closest to home. John took us to dinner in Livermore and then we finally arrived at home. Brad texted me to make sure I made it home safely. I visit Brad once a year and I am not sure he can outdo this year’s visit. It was magical from beginning to end.
2907 words
5/21/19
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