Last Thursday I headed to NYC to see my baby girl. Due to arrive at 6 pm. We were way ahead of schedule but so early that there was nowhere to land so we circled for a few minutes. Then, on our approach, 2-3 minutes from touching down, we suddenly pulled up. The Capt announced that a sudden weather system had suddenly closed JFK & LGA. We circled for an hour or so more but went south of Philly and up to Delaware and north to Mass. as we had to avoid the weather. I tuned in NYC TV and saw that 2 tornados, and lots of hail, had hit Brooklyn. Streets were flooded, trees down, elec lines down, cars wrecked, the whole deal. Of great concern to me was that my daughter lives in Brooklyn. Calls to her went direct to voice mail. Got in the limo and headed her way. Detours everywhere, fire trucks, utility workers and it was a mess. Saw a damaged hospital and later a tree that had crushed a building. When we landed we landed about the same time as a Delta plane and we were the first two on the ground. They had to send buses to get us as there were no gates as departures being held were still at the gates. There were ZERO people in Immigration and Customs and they pretty much just waved us through as there were thousands of passengers about to arrive. It was crazy. Jet Blue rocked as usual. 10 minutes from her apt she called me and was freaking out with worry for me, as I was for her. She got stuck for two hours on the L train and was worried that maybe my flight had beaten the storm and I was hurt, beat to death by the hail or soaking wet in front of her apt. The L is underground the whole way so she could not make or receive calls. We arrived within minutes of each other. Her apt was safe but one about 4 bldgs down had siding blown off and some of it was still hanging on. We had a great long weekend. Saw Memphis, the 2010 Tony Best Musical Tony (+ 3 others) winner and it was awesome. Ate at our favorite midtown restaurant, Carmines. Went to Little Italy for this wonderful festival (thanks Bundy) San Gennaro, went by the WTC site, checked out the controversial mosque and yes, it is really just two blocks away. And of course she needed some more winter clothes, a couple of bar stools and a desk chair. We made two trips on the subway with our chairs but we actually saw a couple of people lugging bigger stuff than us. Except for Carmines we ate mostly organic and some healthy stuff at home. They have this cool grocery store, Trader Joe's, about the size of the old Gigante/new Soriana at Multi Plaza. They had two workers holding signs for the end of the check out lines for "12 or less items" and "Any number of items" as the lines snaked around the store. It made the worst Walmart lines look easy. Incredible. KC said this was normal. I just got in the checkout line and let her shop. Timing was perfect. Got some eco bags to haul groceries (in lieu of plastic bags) with an I <3 TJ's logo, like the I <3 NY things. I may sell them to my fans, with autographs. Let me know if interested. Cheers, We finally landed about 1:15 late.
I LOVE TRADER JOE'S!!!! It is the ONLY place me and my Dad shop at. He is there daily at 9 to pick up his dinner. He loves it so much he doesn't stock up...he wants to go everyday!!! He just notified me on fb that my Trader Joe's Cookbook came in the mail. Sounds like a great trip...minus the slight detour. Glad everyone is ok! See ya soon!
Wow all the things we take for granted in NYC and you are amazed to see these things. Glad you had a good time and hope to have you back to NYC again with the perfect weather other then your landing time.
gabesz - I guess the only things that "amazed" me were the lines at Trader Joe's and the tornado damage in Brooklyn. I have been there twice this year and going again in Dec. In the past my daughter and I go about once a year, as tourists, so no need to go to T.J.'s. Now she lives there and my trips are different, but will always include theatre. My post was more of a mini trip report that evolved from the tornado event when I was worried about my daughter and she was worried about me, while we each new that we were all right. Sorry you misinterpreted my post as if I was amazed by NYC, and the things you take for granted, whatever they may be. I did not mention it but I was amazed by Memphis, and the no name cast, the original score and the dancing, but I am often amazed by the shows we see. Since 1996 I have seen all but 3 of the Tony winners of Best Musical. Never lived there but been there dozens of times and can get around pretty good for a non resident. Cheers amigo,
Thanks Gonzo. We went through some rough weather, going down and up and down again through the clouds. There were two young ladies from Israel, who from our conversations, were experienced international travelers. They spent most of the last hour with their faces covered with their hands, almost in prayer. They were genuinally frightened.
On a long night flight from Istanbul to Alamty, Kazahstan, the Turkish Airline pilot, as he was descending to land in the dark, with the power dialed down, suddenly pulled up and applied full power, producing images in my mind of the 14,000 foot high mountains in the area looming ahead. In the clouds, in the dark, it was impossible to know why he felt the need to maneuver so violently. We never did, though we landed, successfully, on the next try.
I meant that some of the unique things you mentioned such as the Festival, the people carrying their large stuff on the subway, the 12 items or less lines along with the fact that we have Trader Joe's are normal for those who live in NY and happens every day. This is what I mean by taking these things for granted. And I do agree with you that Wal Mart needs to learn the 12 items or less rule as well. Many times stood in line with people buying everything in sight and going to the supposed express lines.
