This Picture is Worth 1000 Words

How To Be The Perfect Tourist.

I've been meaning to write about my trip for a couple days now, but I have been hesitant:  How can I convey in one blog post the incredible, once-in-a-lifetime adventure I had last week?

I am going to try anyway.

Read my comments, close your eyes, and imagine it TEN TIMES MORE AMAZING and you will come slightly closer to the real deal.

I LOVED NEW YORK! I never want to live in the city. But I would be perfectly OK with right outside the city so I can travel there when I want to. The buildings were gorgeous! And crazy dense. You could barely walk anywhere and everyone wore black trench coats with black umbrellas and a scarf. EVERYONE. It was a little dull actually. The New Yorkers probably thought me in my pink coat and teal dress and cowboy boots was a little out of place...Hey! They need a little sunshine in their lives I say. Ahem. The were pigeons everywhere and I sang Feed The Birds to them as I skipped up and down the never-ending streets! Night wasn't even night! All the lights were stunning and they lit up the sky so instead of black it was a light grey. The food was incredible (incredibly expensive too). I ate the biggest piece of Cheesecake I have ever had and I even tried some Lamb Gyro Greek pita thing which was yummy. Everything about the trip was just fun and fancy free.

I do apologize though, I was a tad bit...rebellious.

My choir director gave us a few tips before we entered New York. The first:

DON'T LOOK LIKE A TOURIST.
(I thought that was pretty impossible considering we are traveling in large hordes or teenagers all wearing the same choir jacket and talking and laughing loudly. But whatev'. She emphasized it)

She said a few other minor rules. Then again:

DON'T LOOK LIKE A TOURIST.
(Like that was happening!)

And again.

DON'T LOOK LIKE A TOURIST.
(blah blah blah blah)

She mentioned something about how we need to be direct and not draw attention to the fact we don't know our way around New York and we are naive and innocent teenagers from Happy Valley Utah. Something about not getting ourselves into trouble....and being safe.....always being with chaperons...(cough).....and all that jazz.

I sorta kinda blatantly decided I was better than this rule. In my rebellious nature (Good one right? Ha!) I decided to be the epitome of a tourist. THE EPITOME.


I even constructed some basic rules.


#1 Look with fascination
I was pro at this. "Look! It's Lion King!" "Look! That building is gorgeous!" "Look! That staircase leads to the subway. I've NEVER been on a subway before!" I started to feel a bit like the angel in Nephi's vision. But I just a-kept on a-lookin'. It made the trip more fun. And targeted me as TOURIST.

#2 Always have a camera bag and/or backpack and/or large obnoxious purse.
This was probably my most refined quality. I had a camera bag, and a backpack. Usually my camera was hanging around my neck because I never had time to put it back in the bag before I saw another fascinating scene before my eyes! So I had many things dangling around my neck at all times, in all things, and in all places. 


#3 Skip and point.
I did this pretty well too. Like when I saw the statue of liberty. Most were under their black umbrellas. But, Not I! I was definitely skipping and pointing.

#4 Act like everything you see is something new and exciting and consequently--it deserves a picture.
As I mentioned previously, my camera never made it into the camera bag. It was TOO busy! Everything deserved a picture.

#5 Smile and listen to the people trying to sell you things (in other places this might not be a tourist thing. But in New York, it DEFINITELY is)
So...I did this the first day but I stopped. There are way too many salesmen and strange people to listen to them all. The first one got angry at my dear friend, Scott, who was walking next to me and yelled "Get your hand off my woman!". Scott wasn't even touching me. That's when I decided it was best to not give attention to all the crazies on the side of the street.

I don't know if Mama J would approve, but I think being the perfect tourist made this trip all the more wonderful.

And now, a few of my most treasured shots of the trip:

CHINATOWN! So fun. One of my favorite parts of the trip! I bought that lovely parasol I am holding. Although my bartering techniques were a little rusty..."Could I maybe have a discount?"

Look at these beautiful friends. That's us at Chinatown! We got slightly wet from the rain...

I haven't seen Durian in ten years! Not since Malaysia. Chinatown reminded me so much of Malaysia and my childhood! Durian not necessarily being a pleasant part of that--at least the smell

And of course, Carnegie Hall. They wouldn't let me take pictures in the Hall. But this is me right after our performance with the Playbill and ticket stub. And no, those aren't tears in my eyes. ;) It was my very favorite part of tour. The coolest experience of my whole life. 

La Rumbleita! This was the party bus. It bounced up and down as crazies danced and it rode the streets! And no, I didn't ride it. I'm not THAT rebellious.

The choir outside Ellis Island. We sand the National Anthem. Both here at across the street from Ground Zero at the museum. Both were incredibly touching experiences.

I went to Mary Poppins Saturday! Loved it.

LION KING. Childhood dream= fulfilled. The costumes and set and protection was just spectacular. 

Another dream: fulfilled

Me at the statue of liberty!

Times Square

New York at Night

New York was amazing.


I kind of miss it...

Even if I was just a tourist.

That's how I like it!

I sang

I sang in Carnegie Hall.


I sang with my best friends.

I sang looking out onto a full house.

I sang with red velvet chairs and bright lights all around.

I sang with the most amazing acoustics I have ever heard.

I sang with an amazing director.

I sang and tears filed my eyes.

I sang and felt the spirit.

I sang in the very same spot that Ella Fitzgerald sang.

I sang in a hall where the most celebrated musicians from all over the world have sang!

I sang and impressed.

I sang and hopefully blessed.

I sang with my heart.

I sang with a choir of people I love.

I sang and heard a last note vibrate through the hall.

I sang and my chest heaved in and out as I took in my surroundings.

I sang and watched a full house stand and applaud.

I sang in Carnegie Hall.


I sang


Perfectly


in Carnegie Hall.

Start Spreadin' The News...

I'm leaving TODAY!

I want to be a part of it!

NEW YORK! NEW YORK!

These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray...

Right through the very heart of it --

NEW YORK!

NEW YORK!

I AM LEAVING TODAY. YES. TODAY. Don't worry, I won't miss you too much. Because I will be 

in the city that never sleeps.

 Not to mention....singing in CARNEGIE HALL.

If I can make it there,

I'll make it anywhere...

It's up to you,

NEW YORK!

NEW YORK!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

'Ello there! Me name is Winifred an' I 'ave been participatin' in this wonderful show put on by King Connor and Lady Samantha! Its called Ol' Madgrigal Feast! Each night I's a playin my recorder for quarters--you see, I'm a beggar.

This feast is put on each year and the King so kindly les us join him in 'is court for some shinys in light o' Christmas spirit! We's a doin' six whole shows! Aroun' the hour o' seven till nine o' clock. It really's so much joy and merriment. Firstly the King makes all the latecomers act like animals!

All us beggars gets to sit in front and watch the Half-Act Players an' there performance.

The King also has a shapely leg contest for all male guests! (Me 'usband Uther tried once but 'is legs aren't really that shaply) I loves the shapely leg contest. We also sings a 'Appy Occasion to all those folks with anniversaries and birthdays and happy occasions to celebrate! Such fun.

 I 'ave to admit though... me favorite part is when the King explains all the rules. He tells the one about the salt--and he lets me go kiss Sir Dylan on the cheek for some salt! I gets to do it each night. Shhh! I just a laughin' and havin' so much fun.

Then's after we serve soup an' dinner an' dessert; the King asks us to put on a concert for the folks who come from alls over to our kingdom. We all sing many Christmas songs and feel the spirit of Christmas. We's all havin' mighty good singin' voices too I think.

I is definitely the best beggar the King asks to come. I is doing tricks and singin' songs and talkin' to all the folks. Givin' kisses on cheeks for coins and playin' my recorder. I been too poor for lessons but I take requests and I play nice melodies for people. They especially like my song from the shire I think. Its been most popular these past two days of me doing to the castle.

Anyways; is you 'avent 'ad the chance to come and see yet- you are missin out you are! COME! There really is such merriement all round.

Maybe I'd even give you a kiss on the cheek if yous a givin' me a quarter. (But no throwing them at me like me brothers!) We'll see. ;)

A Merry Merry Christmas to ya!