Wrap-Up

 

I felt at home in the city.

 

I have been home for more than a week. I'm still processing it all. It was a full and tiring five days - but very interesting and fun. The trip home proved to be difficult. I had an hour layover in Seattle that turned into a three hour layover, sitting in an airplane, waiting for the plane to be de-iced. However everyone on the plane was patient and polite. I binge-watched movies on the little screen in front of me. I did not get home until close to 4 in the morning - about 7am New York time. It took me a few days to recover from that, and jet-lag.

I certainly accomplished what I set out to accomplish. I did it all by my myself and I enjoyed the trip. My workshop gave me insight into several changes I want to make in my book. So, it's back to the drawing board for the time being. The conference inspired me to keep writing.

As far as the tourist part of the trip, I saw a few things, and didn't see a whole lot more. But, I did all that I had the energy to do. I walked a lot, saw a Broadway play, ate some fantastic food, and enjoyed Central Park on a beautiful day.

The game we always play in my family at the end of a trip is; what was your favorite and what was your least favorite thing? My least favorite was a full-of-herself conference attendee who came into one of the groups I was in and acted like the teacher instead of a participant. She was obnoxious and said since she was a published author she would educate us. I held my tongue and did not say that I too was published. The group did not need two know-it-alls. My favorite part was really hard to decide on. I loved the chats I had with cabbies and servers. Studio 54, where I saw the play, was a beautiful and historic opera house. I loved being surrounded by so many different languages. Certainly my meal at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station was wonderful. However, I must give the top honor to seeing the Statue Of Liberty on my harbor cruise. It made me remember the elderly French man, a veteran, who sat on a bench in a Paris park when we vacationed there twenty years ago. He thanked me for America's help at the end of the Second World War. Both that man, and the giant statue, are symbols of how two countries can be friends.

I would have had a even better time if I could have shared it all with Don, but none the less, it was great. Here are a few more of the photos I took:

As a young person I thought I wanted to be a children's book illustrator. But over time I learned I did not have the dedication it took to do that. Words better suited me. Here are some of the illustrators' business cards that I picked up at the Portfolio Preview the first night of the conference. So creative!

 

 

The drink was called Carte Blanche, made with absinthe, gin, and several other yummy ingredients. The French Onion soup was VERY cheesy. The restaurant was called La Grand Boucheire and it was in the same block as my hotel. Tres French!

I stopped for a cup of coffee at the Cipriani Dolci bar overlooking the main terminal of Grand Central Station. The coffee cost five dollars, but it came with three crunchy cookies and a great view.

I looked out at the giant arched windows and saw people walking back and fourth on walkways that corresponded with the window frames.

Studio 54, where I saw the play Pictures from Home, was built in 1927 as an opera house. Its name and purpose changed many times over the years. In 1976 it became Andy Worhal's and many other big celebs' hangout, the famous Studio 54. It was very lovely. The critics were not very fond of the play, although it gave the actors high marks. I liked it a lot and felt it was very true to its source material.

This disco ball revolved in the foyer.

 

Mosaics have always been one of my favorite art forms. These golden ones adorned the entry to Saint Patrick's Cathedral, where I lit a candle for departed family members and had a quiet moment.

 

Next time...take a train to New York. Wouldn't that be fun?