- Miles Today: 0
- Trip Total: 4050
- Weather: High clouds. Humid. High 78F. Rain in PM, but not on us.
- Today?s Theme Song: "Goodbye Yellow-Brick Road" by Elton John.
- Rachionary: "Pukumber" [pyoo-kum-buhr] noun, Those huge east-coast deli garlic-pickle spears.
- Rodgerism: "Who would eat a piano sandwich?" (it was a "panino")
- Lesson: There's one in every crowd to keep a reputation alive.
Marianne provided us with transport to the bus-stop and a fistful of tickets for our visits to Manhattan. (Thank you very much!) It was just over an hour ride on some very nice commuter buses. Once off the bus and out of the terminal, it was a loud and disorienting experience for the kids. Sirens, horns, construction, and lots of people walking very fast. But by the time we got to the Empire State Building, they were seemingly acclimated to the hustle and bustle.
We got there early enough that the lines weren't bad in my opinion. Including the time we spent being routed through security, the ticket lines, the map vendors, first gift-shop and elevator line(s) we were on the 86th floor observation deck within about 30 minutes. 
One thing I have always enjoyed about NYC is that at the tourist attractions, the people are probably the most friendly and helpful of any area in the USA. They patiently give clear directions that even the non-english speakers understand, they see you approaching with a question and ask "How can I help you, sir?" and they often try to make your visit fun by engaging with you in jokes or conversation. But I experienced the oddest thing today, that I would expect more on the NYC streets. Among the gauntlet of map-vendors, "express-pass" upgrade offers and while-you-wait gift shops, we approached the green-screen photo area to hear the photographer scolding people to "keep the line moving" and some not-so-subtle insults. He would only pause to actually take a photo when someone insisted on it (which we didn't) and then tell them to "get moving" as well. I mentioned this at the exit of the observation level (through another gift-shop and the photo vendor) where the girl was asking for the numbers to see our photo. It didn't look like business was so good today.
After an early lunch (beat the crowds) we had a casual walk up Broadway through Times Square on our way to the theater.
As hard as it has been to get Rachael in a photo or a dress, she chose to be in both today, just for the show which she has been the one thing she has been most looking forward to for the entire trip.
Last summer, Rachael played the Wicked Witch in the Auburn Avenue Kids production of OZ and Rodger was one of her minions, among other roles. He tried to recreate that relationship for this photo.
It was a great show, and the story of "the making" of the Wicked Witch adapted from the classic story of The Wizard of Oz took a lot of creativity to turn the classic villain into the sympathetic protagonist of the original story. (Now I want to read the book.)
The bus didn't get out of the station before Rodger crashed.
Marianne picked us up where she dropped us off this morning, and we got to see the rest of Teresa's
cousins and most of Tia Marina and Uncle Stan's grandkids, many of whom live in the area.