How is waking up at 4:15 am considered a vacation? Today we popped out of bed, dressed as quick as we could to get to the Today Show for the James Taylor and Carole King Concert. Jerry’s poor feet had blisters on them from the two days before of walking, but he was determined to make it to the concert.
We took our first taxi since we arrived because he could hardly walk. Although we had fan passes, that really means nothing. People without fan passes were standing right next to us even though we were ushered to the pen first. We could have gotten there a little later, but didn’t know what to expect. It was exciting, especially when Carole King and James Taylor came out for a sound check. We thought the cameras were on at that point so I was making a fool of myself flashing my sign and waving. Truly the Concert Series put on by the TV station isn’t much of a concert, but a little highlight of their music. So many people drove for hours to be there and then they only sang about 3 songs. Of course standing and going through the process of the TV taping was fun. It was especially fun communicating with everyone via facebook as they spotted our few seconds of fame. However, it was pure torture to our feet and tired bodies standing for hours in one crowded spot. I am so glad we did it, but don’t know if I would suffer through it a second time. By the time we left Jerry was in serious pain. We grabbed a taxi again and came immediately back to our room. He spent the rest of the afternoon doctoring his feet and staying off of them. I on the other hand took an hour nap and then grabbed the subway and took off to Chinatown. Jerry was glad to stay back for that trip.
I am beginning to gain some confidence with the subway routes now as long as someone confirms which train I am taking to and from one destination to another. Once in Chinatown I grabbed an eggroll and started my hunt for “authentic” fakes. I was surprised that none of the business owners were luring me in offering the chance to sneak to a secret room or van to view knock off purses. It’s well known that Chinatown is the place to buy the knockoff brand name items. All the other stuff in the stores is only there as a front for their business and it isn’t worth buying. Jerry told me he had heard on the news the previous night a big arrest had taken place and a warehouse was shut down of all the fakes. I figured this must be why no pressure was being put on me to buy. I was really disappointed. I went to Chinatown to be pressured and to wheel and deal. I finally saw someone with a large black bag which meant they had bought a big fake purse. I stopped and asked about it and was directed back to a certain area. As I was walking that direction I was finally approached and asked if I wanted a Coach purse. I was so happy. However, this time it was not quite so easy. One gentleman handed me off to another lady who pulled out a booklet from under her shirt to show me pictures of purses while another lady was keeping lookout. Every once in a while she would come and grab the book from me and say “stay here, someone will come to get you”. Once I described what I was looking for, they brought it to me in a bag to examine and decide if I wanted to purchase it. I was able to get them down to a reasonable price for a smaller Coach bag. After I was done, I thought maybe I would get another one so I walked back to deal some more. This time another lady said “come, you want to see more”, and she walked me down the street, turned to a side street and handed me over to another gentleman who showed me more pictures. As I was considering purchasing another, I begin to think “I think I am going to hell”. In the past I wondered how illegal it was because it was so easy. I thought that was just part of the selling technique to make it more exciting. However, this time I was beginning to feel like I was in a James Bond movie or something trying to obtain some secret weapon or something. About the time I thought I would walk away, droves of Asian people began to run away while one man was yelling for them to go. Needless to say, I was done for the day. I made my way back to the subway and found my way back to the hotel. The day’s activities were beginning to catch up with me. It was no longer cool as the previous days, but rather warm. When it’s warm outside, the subway terminals are even warmer. Plus it was rush hour and the subways were so crowded that there was standing room only. The stairs in the subway were beginning to feel more like a stair master by this time. I was beginning to miss my car. When I returned I immediately got in the very long line to buy theater tickets. Tonight was the last night we would be able to go to another show because they only have matinee shows on the weekends. I was able to get tickets to see Memphis. Though discounted, they were still pricey.
Jerry bandaged his feet and we walked to three blocks to the theater. I was so exhausted by the time we got there. I couldn’t wait to sit down because my feet were killing me. Luckily we had great seats. Memphis was worth the money. It was an awesome show. The show is definitely worthy of the awards and accolades it has received. The music was fabulous.
After the show we walked across the street to John’s Pizzeria. John’s is a well known NYC pizzeria. We had our first NY pizza that was cooked in a wood fire burning oven. It was delicious. We were both so exhausted and in pain we didn’t know how we would make it back, but we trekked the 3 blocks and made it back to the hotel.
Our plans for Saturday were to ride the #7 train, also known as the International Express to Queens. However, I don’t know what Jerry will be able to do tomorrow so we may rest up some. I want to visit a boutique I read about, so I may go by myself. I just want to be rested up for Sunday and Monday when we go to Brooklyn Tabernacle Church and go to be on the Good Morning America Show.
Until the next post, good night.
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