MANILA, PhilippinesBefore anything else, Id like to say wow, thanks to everyone whos following me on Twitter. Right now Ive got over 3,000 followers (I know, its nothing compared to the number of followers Ashton Kutcher has). In case you're interested in following me, Im @bigsis222. By the way, I tried getting @leasalonga, but it was unavailable. Labo, no?
Now, on to my article for this week.
Yes, I was able to see two magnificent Broadway shows last week: Next to Normal and Rock of Ages. However, that wasnt all I did during my visit to the Big Apple.
In a nutshell, I sang for a Sirius XM radio program; was interviewed for a Catholic radio show; sang a few songs at a friends theater company benefit (Diverse City Theater, visit them at www.diversecitytheater.org); saw my agent, my lawyer, and my financial adviser; attended a welcome back/engagement/bachelor/bachelorette/rehearsal dinner (yes, all that rolled into one get together!); a wedding reception; and hung out with my best friends, all of whom were attendants at my wedding (one of them we call the gay of honor). One of these friends and her husband are expecting their first child.
How does one make a trip to this wonderful city something to remember? Does it include visits to the tourist spots, Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, sports events, and restaurants? Does it mean travel on foot, by train, or by cab?
Heres what it means for me:
1) Plenty of walking. New York City is a fantastic place to walk. The sidewalks are quite wide (no invasion of personal space) and there are many interesting shops and restaurants you can dart in and out of while on a trek.
A piece of advice: Make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes. No, not your pretty ballet flats or Brazilian-branded flip-flops. I mean something with cushioning and support, lest youre looking to get a bad bunion.
2) Plenty of eating. This city is heaven for a foodie like myself, and the best part is you dont really need a Zagat guide to find a good place to eat. It also helps when your friends can lead the way. One of my friends made reservations to a fusion Thai-Pinoy place called Kuma Inn (www.kumainn.com) down in the East Village. The food was truly wonderful!
New York also has the best Chinese take-out anywhere, and a walk down 9th Avenue is a veritable smorgasbord. Oh, 9th Avenue right around the theater district is also convenient if youre going to catch a show. Many restaurants have pre-theater fare and good pricing.
3) Taking the subway at least once. My mother was terrified of the subway, and never once rode it while she lived in New York (still hasnt, and maybe never will). It was something that always piqued my curiosity, like some mysterious playground that I was always cautioned to stay away from, for whatever reason.
So once I started living on my own, I headed down those stairs, started riding the trains, and loved it. One price, no matter where you go, and you can take the subway to just about any major destination point in the city: Lincoln Center, Times Square, Columbus Circle, City Hall, Grand Central Station. Its so convenient during the winter, especially when the snowfall is heavy. Its something I would advise anyone to try, even just once. You can check out maps and schedules online at www.mta.info.
4) Watching at least one Broadway show. No visit to New York would be complete without it. And the fun part for me is that I have at least one friend in a lot of the musicals currently running on Broadway, be it a principal player or a member of the ensemble. I'm a little bummed that I didnt get to see more shows, and vow to definitely see one or two new ones the next time I return.
5) Avoiding the tourist spots (but not on purpose). Well, the obvious ones, anyway. To this day I can say that Ive never been to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the top of the Empire State Building (Ive been there, but only for a meeting in one of the offices), the Chrysler Building, the Natural History Museum (which I really should see), the Museum of Modern Art
OK, call me pathetic. I guess I just took all these spots for granted, being a resident of the city and not a guest.
There is a pulse and a rhythm to New York that I miss when Im away. I dont know that there will ever be an opportunity to stay for longer periods of time, so in the meanwhile, I shall pop in to say hello from time to time. And for however long those little moments last, itll be home.
