Today I had the most wonderful trip to New York City with my beloved sister. Also on the trip was my nephew and his girlfriend.
It began like this:
I was awaken by the alarm that I had set the night before however, it was an hour earlier than I had anticipated because I had set the alarm clock that my son bought me one year and had never set it back an hour due to daylight savings time. At that point I was awake and would be nervous about going back to sleep for fear of oversleeping so I got up. The excitement of going to this fabulous city again and being with my sister to spend a sister's day together was just amazing. After triple checking my bags to make sure I didn't forget anything, I headed out the door. I had to make a stop at Walmart to get snacks for the bus ride because I had forgotten to do that the day before. In the meantime my sister and I had a couple of conversations by cell phone ie; don't forget the tickets, what do you want on your sandwich, what kind of snacks do you want, the bus isn't getting there to pick us up until 7:45 am so don't hurry, etc.
So I get to the pick up point at 7:30 and right before me the bus is arriving. I get back on the cell to let my sis know to hurry up. I proceed to get on the bus to save seats get four in the back with a good view of the television screen and by the bathroom. The bus is starting to fill up fast and a nice looking couple in their early 60's I'd say come to where I am sitting and the woman asked if these seats were taken and I said yes they were. Her response was that "that wasn't very nice" and proceeded to walk away. I have to say I am proud of myself because I didn't reply back and let it slide because I didn't want anything to spoil this day.
My sister finally gets to the bus and we left our pick up point only 5 minutes later than scheduled. The bus driver made awesome time and we reached New York City at 10:45.
We got dropped off close to Radio City Music Hall which was awesome because my sister and I had tickets to see the Christmas Spectacular Show featuring the Rockettes. This was my first time being at Radio City and seeing this show that had started in the 1930's.
The show went like this: The Orchestra welcomes us with 36 musicians (who by the way had been on strike when I purchased the tickets about a month before) .
Scene 1 - Santa's Magical Journey in 3-D - absolutely breathtaking!! The sleigh ride high above the streets and packages and wreaths right in front of your face, the show falling down from the ceiling, watching kids faces as this was all happening was an experience I will never forget.
Scene 2 - Deck the Hall - Opening number of the Rockettes - Superb!! I didn't count them but I would have to guess around 35 beautiful woman with amazing bodies, outstanding talent and precise and syncronized dance routines. It is truly amazing how these woman perform in unison. I would highly recommend it because the cost of the tickets were well worth it.
Scene 3 - The nutcracker: Great for kids. A little girl who dreams of opening presents filled with 32 of the biggest Teddy Bears and Christmas presents you've ever seen.
Scene 4 - The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers - This was my sister's favorite part. First performed in 1933, this is the most famous and beloved Rockette performances. Vincent Minnelli designed the costume. If I remember he is Liza Minelli's father who was Judy Garland's daughter (she played Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz). The domino effect that they performed when shot by a cannon by Santa was spectacular (I was amazed that their legs didn't break). You just have to see this one!
Scene 5 - Here Comes Santa - See how Santa is able to deliver all the presents to boys and girls around the world. Very cute! At one point there was 54 Santa Clauses on stage.
Scene 6 - White Christmas in New York- The weathermen from all channels ie: Tony from ABC, Al from NBC etc. forecast no snow for Christmas and in this routine is where the snow falls from the ceiling onto our heads.
Scene 7 - Ice Skating in the Plaza - At one point before this scene,the Orchestra which was underneath the stage part, moves to the back of the state and another platform comes up that features an ice skating rink. A couple skate under the giant tree in Rockefeller Center.
Scene 8 - The North Pole - Welcome to the North Pole where Mrs. Claus and the elves are awaiting Santa's arrival with only hours to go until take off on Christmas Eve.
Scene 9 - Santa's Toy Workshop - They get all the toys in his huge red bag, but as they are ready to take off they notice that a letters has fallen from the mail sack. It is from a little girl who wishes for a rag doll. Santa says he must start up the toy making machine so that no one is disappointed at Christmas!
Scene 10 - The Living Nativy - This was my favorite part because this is what Christmas is all about. The presentation is in keeping with the revered tradition originated by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223 for the people of Greccio, Italy. Realizing Christmas had lost its meaning for many in his day, Saint Francis pondered various ways of bringing the story closer to them. He had a wonderful idea - to reeact the story of the Nativity on Christmas Eve. That night the creche brought Christmas to life for the people of that small town.
The songs that were played were Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel, We Three Kings, O Come, All Ye Faithful and Hark, the Herald Angel Sing.
Then the screen began to move with this story written on it right before our eyes:
One Solidary Life
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman He grew up in another obscure village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years, He was an itinerant preacher. He never had a family or owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never wrote a book, or held an office. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness.
While He was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends deserted Him. He was turned over to His enemies, and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had - His coat. When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave.
Over two thousand years have passed, and today He is the central figure for much of the human race. All the armies that ever marched and all the navies that ever sailed and all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as this "One Solitary Life".
Finally Radio Music City Hall bids us farewell and sends us best wishes for a Merry Christmas while Joy to the World is played.
As time approaches after midnight I must end this part of my experience and continue tomorrow. Good night my sweet boys.
I love you,
Memere
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