Another Bite of the Big Apple

The street outside Jess's apartment on the Upper West Side.

One visit to the city of New York wasn't enough for Mel, so last weekend she went back for a few days. Kindly hosted by Jess, Mel was able to stay on the Upper West Side again (ahhhhh), and take in not one, but THREE Broadway shows.

Christmas trees for sale on Central Park West.

Christmas is in the air in NYC and the city goes all out with its decorations. There are people selling real Christmas trees on the side of the road and it makes the streets smell beautiful. Mel even saw someone get off a bus dragging a six-foot tree. True Christmas commitment.

Decorations outside a city office.

During her walks around the city, Mel went to 30 Rockefeller Plaza and Radio City. Now that both Mel and Dave are fans of the tv show '30 Rock', this meant that a visit to the NBC Experience Store and an NBC tour were simply a given. Unfortunately, Kenneth the Page did not show her around the building.

Radio City Music Hall - home of the Rockettes.An entrance into 30 Rock and the NBC studios.

There are a few areas with huge decorated outdoor Christmas trees and ice-skating ponds, and Mel found two to have a look at. The first was at 30 Rock, which was beautiful. The crowds were enormous though. The second was in Bryant Park, where there is also a Christmas market. There are lots of little self-contained stores selling everything from hats to candles to hand-decorated Christmas ornaments.

The tree and skating pond outside 30 Rockefeller Centre.

One of the market stores in Bryant Park.

Broadway was a hit once again on this trip. Mel saw James Spader in 'Race', the new Tony Award winning musical 'Next to Normal', as well as Carrie Fisher's one woman show 'Wishful Drinking'. Not only did Mel see Carrie on stage, she also managed to meet her outside and have her program signed.

Mel meets Carrie Fisher.

Other highlights of the trip included New York bagels, a ride in a yellow taxi (it may be touristy but it was cool), Christmas lights at Columbus Circle, a chilly morning walk in Central Park, and not being killed by the shuttle driver on the way to Jess's apartment.

Columbus Circle.

New York - once was not enough, twice only whets the appetite. Some day, visit three will occur.

Central Park.