NYC Vacation - Day Two, Part Two

[bojojoti]

write4jesus had mentioned that New York seemed a colorful place.  That's an understatement with a store like Pearl River Market.  Located in SoHo, not far from Chinatown, Pearl River is a delight to the eyes.  With space being at a premium in NYC, most stores--that aren't major chains--are short on square footage.  Pearl River has three spacious floors containing a cornucopia of products.  I picked up stocking stuffers for the Christmas celebration we'd have after vacation. 


The variety of goods was amazing:  musical instruments, dragons of all sizes, clothing, furniture, food, lamps, bamboo, water features, Buddhas, and lucky cats lined the shelves, adorned the walls, and hung from the ceiling. 


Bojojr and Bumberjean took a break on the mezzanine to enjoy their aloe vera drink.


Such pretty lamps in a row.


Bumberjean stocked up on ginger candy.  She was our designated carrier and kept track of Metro cards, tickets, and itinerary in her Baggallini (yellow bag). 


After Pearl River, we made our way back to the room for a brief rest before our evening's entertainment. 


We chose to eat at Italia Mia, a fast food-type Italian restaurant, because of its proximity to Carnegie Hall.  Bumberjean is showing off her empty plate, because we decided to save money by starving one person a day during our vacation, and it was her turn.  No, just kidding.  We wasted so much food earlier at Big Wong that we were more careful to share meals when it seemed quantities would be large.  Trust me, no one starved.  We were on an eat-a-thon most days!  The food at Italia Mia was above average for fast food, but the most remarkable feature of the place was the hostess, who hovered nearby and maintained a constant commentary in her heavily-accented English.  She was irrepressible and probably the reason we didn't return.  Mamma mia, give it a rest, already. 


Our show for the evening was in the beautiful Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops and Sandy Patti.  You know the old saying:  "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice, practice, practice."  Well, we got there by subway.  We entered early and meandered through their small museum (underwhelming) until one of the staff announced, "Ze house is open!" and we could take our seats.  As we were stretching our entertainment dollars to see more shows, we had the highest tier of balcony seats.  They had the tiniest amount of leg room of any seats I'd ever seen.  We faced an impossibility:  there was no way Mr. Bojo could get his legs into the area.  One of the staff members noted his predicament and informed us that they could provide a seat for him in the lower tiers.  We've never been particular about sitting together at an entertainment--it's not as if you talk to one another during the experience--so we bid him good-bye.  He ended up with an excellent seat and had a much better view.  We were further, but with a concert, that was of no concern as the acoustics were wonderful.


Photography was not allowed, and I didn't take this.  If I had, I would have gotten one of Sandy Patti.  I've enjoyed a number of performances by her, and I wondered if she wasn't suffering from a cold.  Her voice wasn't up to par; it was a good performance, but she seemed to be holding back.  We discussed it afterward and wondered if her weight loss hadn't had an unfortunate effect on her vocal strength.

We looked about the hall and tried to figure out where Kevin McCallister and the pigeon lady from Home Alone would have been sequestered, but we couldn't determine their hiding spot. 

Once we were back on the street in the cold, Bumberjean discovered she had lost one of her new velvet gloves.  We tried to re-enter, but "ze house is closed," and they wouldn't let her check her seat for the glove.  We never did get back when they were open to check the lost and found.  Ze glove is gone for good.  
 

I love all these shots of our family members looking nonchalant and carefree in New York--as if we aren't freezing!  The truth of the matter is that most of the time, we looked like this:

Comments

[joyfulmelody.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! You have the best photos and descriptions. It's so much fun to read about your adventures, even at 5am! :)

[donerleg.livejournal.com]

I feel like I was right there with you! Beautiful beautiful pictures all of them, every entry.

[deltamiss.livejournal.com]

Lots of color is an understatement! LOVE that first picture!

I'm having fun visiting The City vicariously! :D

[trophyofgrace.livejournal.com]

Cute last pic! All the pics are very colorful and lovely. I'm glad you were able to go on this get away!!!

[snofox.livejournal.com]

LOL!!!

I was loving all that colour... but then the best bit was the last pic. It snuck up on me and made me crack up laughing. Hahah.

That was great! Thanks!!!

[write4jesus.livejournal.com]

I love that last picture...you must have been so cold!!

[kelderdeur.livejournal.com]

So vibrant and beautiful! I would have loved to be there, and I'm so glad y'all had that vacation.

[frodo-esque.livejournal.com]

NYC cold is unlike any I've ever experienced! The wind goes right through to your bones--it's most unpleasant and can really change one's experience of taking in the city--especially if you aren't used to it. I went on a blind date once in the middle of December with a guy I didn't particularly hit it off with. He was trying to show me around the city and I was just miserable, I found myself wanting to go inside places to defrost--not really look around. I couldn't blame him for the weather, and I tried to keep my irritation from showing, but I couldn't help it, I was not a happy camper--and it was probably not helped by the fact that we didn't fully get along.

that said, your photos are delightful!

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

What wonderful colours in the first ones!

I am so happy for Mr Bojo that they found him a different seat - S2C has the same problem and it would have spoiled the concert for him - and for me as I would know he was either in pain or outside, in the cold, missing the concert.

As for the last picture - I think you all look very stylish!

[datasocks.livejournal.com]

Wow. I want a huge dragon on my ceiling now.

[jazzyglo.livejournal.com]

Joanne, you're an expert at these kinds of posts! They're sooooo much fun! I almost feel like I'm right there with you...almost. :)

Maybe Sandy Patti was having an off night? I've always adored her voice. She's lost weight?

I really like Bumberjean's bag, and your hat in the last picture is very cute. You guys look so cold. Brrrr!

The color! My eyes!!!!

[radiantlove.livejournal.com]

I love reading along with your adventures!!

[cbtreks.livejournal.com]

That first store looks like so much fun - I want to go there!

I didn't realize Sandy Patti was still performing.

Looks like y'all handled the cold well and didn't let it stop you from enjoying your vacation.

[auntconi.livejournal.com]

Love the post ~ beautiful family ~ and glad to see you get out to some of the nicest places and let us come along as well ~ Thanks!

[mewsing.livejournal.com]

I hate cities, but looks like y'all had fun!

[lorelei-n.livejournal.com]

What exciting pictures! Thanks for sharing.