Last weekend, my two friends and I went to New York City, and we had the best time there. It wasn’t that cold out, but there was a bit of overcast and fog. But we didn’t let the lack of sunshine to ruin our weekend! We left Jan. 11 in the morning via Megabus (definitely use this when traveling…it’s CHEAP), and spent four hours listening to music and goofing off. I am confident and proud to say that my friend Sam and I totally rocked out to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack. We’re cool like that. We arrived to Brooklyn, where we were staying, around 5pm, and relaxed a bit before going back out to the city to see a play.
We went to see Golden Boy, with Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck, Dexter), Seth Numrich, and Tony Shaloub (Monk) at the Belasco Theatre. First things first, it was really good. The acting was amazing. Before the play started, and we were waiting in the lobby, my friend Acacia recognized someone, or as she said, “the girl from National Treasure.” Yes, Diane Kruger. I was the one who knew her name, like a TV/movie fanatic should, DUH. After getting into the theatre, and taking our seats, Sam went to the bathroom (yes, tmi, but it is important to the outcome of the story), and on her way, saw Diane Kruger at the bar with a couple friends. When she came back, we all decided to go down to the bar to ask her for a picture. After arguing who should go up and speak to her, I gave in and said I would. Because I am so smart and creative in my methods of introducing myself to a celebrity, I went up to her and said, “Sorry to bother you, but you look a lot like Diane Kruger.” I know, I’m so classy. We ended up getting a picture with her, which was taken by her boyfriend Joshua Jackson (actor from Fringe, Dawson’s Creek). We didn’t recognize Joshua Jackson at first, but I knew him from somewhere. Later in the night, I realized who he was. We felt so stupid, not realizing that he was also famous.
Acacia, Sam, and I were in the fifth row, dead in the center. Great view. Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson ended up having their seats three rows infront of ours. After the play ended, and we went outside to wait beside the stage door, it was nearly midnight. The actress I was completely excited to meet, Yvonne Strahovski, came out just before midnight, and I was able to get a picture with her and her autograph on my Chuck Season 5 DVD. I was completely starstruck, as she is one of my favorite actresses.
The next day, we started off by going down to the World Trade Center. We went in St. Paul’s Chapel, the church that stood its ground and suffered no casualties from 9/11. I had been there before, but it still brings tears to your eyes, knowing what people went through. After spending some time there, we walked nearly four miles up to the area where the Empire State Building is. We visited the Strand Bookstore, which is a bookworm’s ultimate fantasy. We then took a subway to Times Square, where we went to the Harry Potter Exhibition in the Discovery Center with the family we were staying with. I could LIVE in that place. I had gone to the exhibition in Boston, but it was even better the second time around. After going to the exhibition, we walked around Times Square a bit, where we saw Nick Cannon filming for Nickelodeon, and then headed up to Carmines on the Upper West Side. Carmines is an Italian restaurant that is meant for a large group of people because when you order something, it is served in a big, family sized platter. Let me just say, I approve. Or, in HIMYM terms, I put my stamp of approval. I suggest getting the fried calamari and tiramisu if you go there, because they are both really good. After eating at Carmines, my friends and I went to Columbus Circle and walked along Central Park South, and then walked down Fifth Ave to Rockefeller Center and Times Square.
Sunday was our predetermined shopping day. We started by going to Chinatown, and shopped around there, and had lunch at Nice Green Bo. We then made our way up to the Upper East Side, where we went to Dylan’s Candy Bar on 3rd Ave and 60th St. We stopped by the New York Palace Hotel and then went to Fifth Ave, and shopped our way down to Times Square. We had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, which although is a bit pricy, has great food. We got back to Brooklyn in time to relax and watch the Golden Globes. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were AMAZING hosts. Everyone has already said this, but they should seriously host everything. I was happy for Jennifer Lawrence, the Les Mis cast, Ben Affleck, and Jessica Chastain. TV, I didn’t really care about, but I cheered when Lena Dunham won, because after seeing her ad for President Obama, I have wanted to start watching her TV show.
Monday, unfortunately, was our last day. Extreme sad face. We slept in, and had breakfast in Brooklyn. At the subway station, I was pretty confident that I saw the actress Mammie Gummer (sp?..from Emily Owens M.D. and The Ward). We then went to Columbus Circle, where the film, Winter’s Tale was filming (I have a website for filming locations).We were a bit early, so we walked around Central Park, and took some pictures. After seeing people begin to crowd around the corner of Central Park and Columbus Circle, we went over, where we saw that they were finishing setting up to film. We ended up seeing Jennifer Connelly, and were probably in one of the scenes they filmed before us and many others were moved, since we weren’t official extras or background actors. Oh how I wish I was.
That was the end of our trip, and we headed back to Rhode Island on a long bus ride, where we took shifts charging our phones since only a few of the outlets on the bus worked. Acacia, Sam, and I had a great time there, and we definitely want to go back! Maybe in the summer though, when it is warm and sunny! The weather was a bit dreary when we were there. Nevertheless, New York City is truly a wonderful city, and I love going there. I want to live there at some point…I am a big city person. I hope everyone has had a good start to the new year, and will continue to!
The Perks of Being a College Student 