Day 1

The look on dad’s face was an absolute picture when the immigration officer said “Sir, I’d advise you don’t repeat that out side of here”.   The grin on dad’s face evaporated so quick, I think I saw a puff of steam rising from his cheeks.  “Er…what? Excuse me??  Er what…what did I say? Or what shouldn’t I say – out side of where???”  Dad stuttered.  “Like, you know, in the parking lot or somewhere like that”  Replied the officer in a New York mafia-esque droll.  Then, a big grin flashed across his face.  “I’m only messin withchyu – don’t tell her she’s got a funny face – welcome back to USA – have a great vacation” he said chortling to himself nodding towards my sister with an even bigger self satisfied smirk on his face having just confused the hell out of British dad trying make fun of his daughter.

What had actually happened was Niki’s automatic immigration facial recognition check had failed and dad had made some ‘dad comment’ about her face in the passport and now.

Immigration officer 1, Dad nil.  It was really funny and dad took it in his stride..

Took the ‘Air train’ to Jamaica station in Queens, J line to Broadway junction and L line to 14^th street and took a stroll through the scene set of ‘Friends’, How I met your mother’ etc to our hotel 17 on East 17 street.

Couldn’t check in, so left out luggage and walked 10 blocks to Madison Square park for our first meal.  

At the original Shake Shack,  we had Burgers, ‘Shake Cago dog’, cheese fries, malted caramel shake and peanut butter shake – and dad had the IPA which is brewed specifically for Shake Shack.  We didn’t treat this as fast food – in fact we spent an hour in the chilling in the park with the Empire Sate building providing the backdrop.

Stopped off at 7-11 to buys Pina Colada slushie on our way back to the hotel.

Got ready and took the NQR line to Time Square.  Dad is desperate to buy something from Hard Rock with New York, but couldn’t make up his mind.  Anyway came a restaurant owned by the presenter of Diner Drive-ins and Dives and booked a table for 7 tomorrow.

And the main event – Phantom of the Opera.  Just wow – pitch perfect performances from all.  The Phantom’s last aria (solo) was really quite emotional.  The sound effects from where the phantom’s voice switches from every corner of the auditorium were superb. 

So Niki had this thing about going to the back stage exit to get Sierra Boggess’ autograph and so we made our way to the back of the Majestic theater.

And we weren’t disappointed.  Sierra was out in just minutes.  She signed our program and posed  with Niki.  Norm Lewis (Phantom), however made us wait, but when he came out… omg what a nice man.  Not only did he pose with us, when I said “you were amazing”, it wasn’t a ‘Thank you (in a I know kind of way)’  What he said was “God bless you”.   DanRad – you are out!  Norm has taken your place. 

Took the NPR line back.  We were welcomed by a familiar noise emanating from the hotel safe.  It was the alarm on Dad’s Blackberry which had been set for 3:30 UK time.   We’d just completed our first 24 hours.