Blog 12 – Neeeeew York! - my body says Nooo!

Glam Rock, Trump & OMFG I cannot walk anywhere, anymore!

The streets of San Francisco really were but just a lame training ground for what is the mecca of Manhattan ....each time I am here I am reminded of just HOW much a short round middle-aged woman can do with only one fully functioning leg & copious amounts of chronic back/sciatic pain.

It's not that I am whinging or anything it's just those BLOODY ENDLESS subway stairs that this time, buggered my knee too, are a bit of a well, bitch, really!

I am so tough & so proud of being so tough but sometimes so tough that I can’t express the level of pain & it comes across as a pissed of air of indifference to others, well at least I imagine it does anyway & actually don’t give a fat rats rings if it does! What I have achieved in the last 10 years since sustaining this injury is gob-smacking. I shouldn't be able to do what I can & I am proud, very proud & I will continue to do what I am able.

NYC started as it should – smoothly..at disembarkation we are offered a lift to the baggage claim area on one of those little motorized carts ..it saves us a huge slog thorough the airport..it's ace! 

We are met at the airport by a pre-booked private car & as the other Girls have not been here before we asked for the most scenic drive possible & gave 'as many sparkly lights as we can get’ as the brief. Dino, our driver did not let us down as we rounded the bridge there she was in all her early evening glory. Not a light was missed as she rose above & before us & as usual I audibly gasped & started to cry. It’s not something I can control.

I wish I could successfully articulate what this place means to me – I’ll try but I may suck at it….bear with me OK?..so 10 years ago whilst helping a friend at work, I lifted a basket of chocolates out of a cupboard & meant to put them up onto the bench…it didn’t quite go that way – on the way back out of the basket lift, something bad happened that resulted in me collapsing my 2 lowest lumbar discs (L4 & L5) then one of them split in ½ & my spinal nerve was impinged (why I have reduced feeling in my leg – except for pain!) at the position called S1 ..That’s bad because that is the sciatic area & that’s one nasty little bastard. The worst part of it is that I turned out to be allergic to every pain killer/anti-inflammatory they gave me. 3 years later, after daily physio, hydro & other out-patient rehab, I was able to stand up straight again without walking sticks, without the aid of drugs or surgery. So I took myself to NYC (OK with a psycho) as my reward for all the work I had done.

So, each time I arrive I lose it a little, just for a few moments, that are just all about me & there I sit & think about how I did this, how I got here & how I can continue to survive. Its pride, fear & wishful thinking all rolled into a couple of moments as I get engulfed by the memory of this first time Manhattan & I met.

On the agenda this visit most importantly was Sammy’s surprise Birthday Extravaganza - which I had soooo much fun arranging over the six months prior to our departure. It started on October 9^th when we met the divine Allyson (a special friend of another special friend of mine) @ Penthouse 808 at the Ravel Hotel in Long Island City. The venue was extraordinary with views of Manhattan’s skyline so immense that they did not seem real & we oohed, aahed & ogled for hours! Please if you can ever get there – do!

Next Day October 10^th – Sam’s actual Birthday, we are up very early & meet Kennedy our private photographer for a 3 hour photo shoot! Kennedy is fantastic, he shares his local knowledge & crams a lot into the time we have with him, at select locations around NYC ..pretty much he takes pix of us being fabulous dahlings!..& it was ace! – highly recommend it as a special way to remember NYC. Something else happened with Kennedy – somehow the subject turns to Donald Trump & Sam starts to laugh & poke fun at me – you see I LOVE Trump, I don’t care what anyone says. And his hair matches my cat. Anyway, this bit of info gets Kennedy all excited & it turns out that Donald Trump’s brand new Son-in-Law Jarred, is one of Kennedy’s best mates. Kennedy asks me to make a video for Jarred – so I do. Sammy thinks Donny Boy will see it but I think I have blown my big chance & should have sung my message – you only get one shot kids LOL!

At 1pm we met up with B2 & Gi for a 45 minute carriage ride around Central Park followed by a late lunch at the Loeb Boathouse Restaurant & later, Sammy & I take in the musical Rock of Ages. Not only was it fantastic it was the MOST fantastic show I have ever seen. Ever. The cast was perfect, the voices clear & strong the storyline brilliant & most importantly the music bloody mind blowing! We laughed & rocked out for hours & we are still talking about how incredible it was! The live backing band included members of Blondie & White Snake – lots of guitar string licking (I kid you not!) long blonde hair flicking (yes from the boys) & tight shiny leggings as pants. We have never seen anything like it that was NOT a fully staged arena rock concert and it was incredible! If you get the chance & are from our 'era’ then don’t miss it!

Next day we had the tiniest sleep in then we 4 all boarded the bus for the ‘Sex & the City’ hotspots tour ..I have been on this before but still enjoyed it just as much. On the 12^th B1 & Ash joined us & the shopping began. I used to love a good shop, back in the day but I just don’t now – I always seem to manage to weigh the cost of a purchase against how many nights in NYC I could get for the same amount! - and being particularly skint this trip has meant that I had to do a LOT of watching other peeps go crazy in the shops…it’s all good though – I did get myself a few little things over the past 5 weeks & have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Girls purchases at the end of the day… long lusted for gorgeous things they now finally own!

The 13^th was my 50^th Birthday & the team kindly threw me a lovely hotel roof top Birthday Party with gorgeous gifts, cash & mojito flavoured GF cupcakes – thanks team I loved it all! Unbeknownst to the group I had been stalking one of those clutch purses that charge your mobile as you use the bag (but refused to pay the ransom!)..it’s way cool & every chick should have one…and now I do as it was my B/day pressie!..I have used it a lot already but need to scotch guard it to protect the leather.

So all up, I had the perfect Birthday - lovely little partay, a feed of S’MAC for lunch (a mac & cheese restaurant a coupla blocks from the hotel that does the most incredible GF dishes – this would be my 1^st of 3 visits! LOL) 2 mid-arvo voddy’s, followed closely by a nanna nap & then the ‘Night on the Town’ tour that took all 6 of us to the Chelsea highline, an evening cruise out to Lady liberty & dinner in little Italy . We were supposed to end at the top of the Rock but it was overcast & rainy ;(

We all (except Gianna) had an early-ish start out Woodbury Common shopping outlet about 1.5 hours away by coach…you could go mad there but I just brought a hair product I had been stalking in Sephora.

Yesterday whilst everyone else was shopping or sightseeing (I have already seen all the major stuff before so now I can just relax & get to know the neighborhood I am in) I walked up to Tiffany & Co & picked up a pair of earrings for a friend then strolled around for another 3 or so hours just moseying in & out of shops that I liked. It was humid & peeps were sweatin’  - Gi found a groovy jazz bar near ‘home’ & B2 made us a booking for dinner & a show - it was brilliant, the musos tight & Kelly Johnstone singing…really ace!

We’ve been our separate ways again today & I spent some time checking out second avenue & tonight four of us venture out for the top of the rock deck..I can’t wait to see their faces as they see the city from up on high for the first time…so cool to watch!

So here we are now & today is Saturday. Saturday is leaving day…oh sweet baby Jeebus, make me somehow be back soon, with hairy kitty-man in tow to never leave again!

Yesterday, Friday, may just well go down in history as my fave ever day in NYC because yesterday I met with Anne Greg & Anne just happens to be the Director of Community Programs for Carnegie Hall . Ann is my new mentor for Music for Change, the Not-for-Profit organisation I started last year. Ann was remarkably supportive & giving of her experience & time – helping me our see a clear path for our next few big steps & I am excited & grateful! She was so interested in what we are doing & planning to achieve & I felt remarkably lucky to have landed such a meeting! I couldn't settle after the meeting & took about an hour & 1/2 to casually stroll back to the hotel – I really don’t want to leave NYC – I wish I could put into words how I feel the city breathing & how I know, she feels me back – pretty much like the glaciers in Alaska but with much more fabulous lighting! LOL

Not one teeny tiny little bit of me wants to leave & argh up at 5am again as I am flying to Hawaii. I am looking forward to 2 days to regenerate my batteries before Sammy meets me there. I take a last look out the rear window of the cab & as I see Manhattan fading away I whisper ‘be seeing ya babe’ & my little chin starts to wobble.   The cab driver is watching me but I don’t care I just let those tears soak my face & know we’ll be together again.

I see many many cocktails in my future…MANY!
xo Sandie


New York

Flying into New York at night was a fantastic idea. I had the window seat & watched the sunset of orange & red with the full moon guiding us in over a city with so many pretty lights I was gobsmacked . As we got off the plane & headed for the baggage hall a golf cart was waiting by chance to take us to the baggage claim area so we hopped on board. Right place right time & we sailed smoothly past all the other folk walking the very, very long way to the end of terminal 4. Toot toot New York we have arrived!

The private car was another fab idea & Dino our driver very compliant with taking us the scenic route into Manhattan so we could see just how beautiful she is. On the Van Wyck as we left the airport with a trip over the Queensboro Bridge into Mid Town. Feeling very Seinfeld at the moment. The Affinia Shelborne Hotel is just wonderful, two free bottles of wine as we check in & the room is beautiful & nothing is too much trouble for the staff, customer service of the highest quality. Add to that a roof top bar with views of the Empire State & Chrysler Buildings & we’re in business. This has been at the top of my bucket list for a very long time & I’m so very excited to finally be here to celebrate my birthday (and Sandie’s 50^th & Bel & Ash’s 10^th wedding anniversary) Going to be the most amazing 10 days ever!

First day in NYC & we head downtown on the subway which is just as clean, well signed & easy to use as LA. We all buy a weekly metro card for unlimited travel on buses or trains which seems the most cost effective. Very excited. Every now & again you get buskers on the trains singing which is mostly very good but eye contact avoided to stop any harassment for money . Still excited. Century 21 is a discount department store which has been upgraded since Sandie was here last but seems to still have some bargains. I buy another bag! And some Lancome products which are about 40% cheaper than at home & also get a double gift with purchase. At night we head over the East River back into Queens for a roof top dinner with the most awesome view of the Manhattan skyline. With $5 cocktails during happy hour & a very delicious dinner it was a fantastic finish to our first day. I fall into bed with a smile on my face, I knew I’d love this place the second I arrived.

10^th October ………. my birthday. 48 & I feel old. Don’t really believe how it’s all gone so quickly but equally know it’s just a number & I have so much more left to do. Up early & across town for our 3hour walking tour with a private photographer who shows us some of the best hidden gems (with stories) in the city while taking our photo every 5 mins. My face was sore from all the smiling but it was so much fun & we got some great pictures. Quick bite to eat in the park near city hall which we have renamed squirrel park for obvious reasons & then back up town on the subway to meet Gi & Belinda for an iconic carriage ride thru Central Park before lunch at Loeb Boathouse. Big Yum & the most amazing views. Another iconic tick off the list. With just enough time to freshen up & change back at the hotel, we off to the theatre for Rock of Ages which was the best show ever! It was funny, singing was awesome with a live band, one guitarist from Whitesnake & another who plays with Blondie, ROCK ON! I finally make it into bed about 2am an exhausted but very content birthday girl . Thank you so very much all who contributed to my birthday & for all the wonderful cards & messages.

It’s Saturday & our Sex in the City tour which was just plain fun as we drove all over town in the big bus checking out all the places where filming took place, there are heaps. 3 hours & lots of laughs & silliness which should happen more often I recon! The bus dropped us off near Times Square so we decided to check that out a bit more, it really has to be seen to be believed. Lunch at the Olive Garden which is always mentioned in movies & is Italian themed restaurant chain which I didn’t think I knew before. Most delicious. Bread sticks rock!

Sunday & we brunch at S’mac which is a specialty mac & cheese place that Sandie has been hanging to try because they do gluten free. They also cater for vegan & just about anything else you need food wise. Hard to imagine how many flavour combinations are possible with mac & cheese but they have one with figs, brie & rosemary which is very popular. I had a veggie one with vegan cheese to avoid the dairy & it was delicious but still bit rich for my tastes. After the pig out we head west on 34^th Street to Macy’s which takes up one whole city block & is massive. It was a bit overwhelming when you are at one end & looking across the floor you can’t see to the other end. You just don’t know where to start but start you do & keep going until you drop . Picked up another gift with purchase, I’m on a roll. Bel & Ash arrived today & we meet downstairs for the free wine happy hour (oh yeah, forgot to mention that 5-6pm is free wine in the foyer, score again!) & share stories of the last 4 days & their adventures in North Carolina & the Nascar circuit. Must get more sleep, 5 hours a night is not really enough.

Monday 13^th & it’s Sandies 50^th birthday, hip hip hooray! I meet Bel & Ash for brekkie down the street at a place we found that does the best omelettes & very cheap. Bring one back for Sandie & then we have surprise morning tea on the roof of our hotel with cupcakes, pressies & balloons. Weather not that flash today but that’s not going to stop us. Back we go to Macy’s & not as busy as yesterday and I think I’ve finally worked out the layout of the place. But I do think it’s a bit mean to have a McDonalds on the kids floor, just saying! Starbucks seems to be on every 2^nd floor & restrooms few & far between. Not sure how that works, someone stuffed up the plans me thinking . It’s also Columbus day today with a parade down 5^th Avenue, not that we saw or heard it but hey, this city is just so big & we forgot it was happening once we got inside Macy’s where time just disappears to the point we didn’t even think about having lunch. Just did not cross our minds. Back to the hotel to get ready for Sandie’s birthday Night on the Town tour which takes us for a walk on the hi-line, boat ride on the Hudson to the Statue of Liberty, dinner at a yummy Italian restaurant & then we were supposed to go to the top of the rock but the weather would have made it impossible to see anything, so we’ll go back another night. Our fantastic tour guide arranged for the bus to drop us all back at our hotels instead which saved a cab fare & about an hour.

Tuesday & we head across town to the Port Authority Bus Terminal & this place is huge! Not sure of the statistics but it has about 5 different levels with gates like an airport but for buses . We left from gate 310 to go upstate to Woodbury Common for a day of shopping. An hour bus ride there, 7 hours of shopping which is a personal best I think then an hour bus ride home with a walk back to the hotel. My poor feet are starting to turn against me, they’re not happy at all. Got some bargains so very happy with that. By the time we got back into New York it was about 7pm & dark so we got to see the lights of Manhattan from the New Jersey side & it was spectacular. Our bus driver slowed right down so we could all get a good view, just magical. We headed into the Terminal & there were two lanes of bumper to bumper buses waiting to get back in, couldn’t believe it what a sight. Our driver who I’d say was very familiar with the lay out of the place drove up & ramp to avoid the jam & dropped us off somewhere near the top of the building, not sure if he was meant to do that but we were very grateful so extra tip for him. Belinda & Sandie had left earlier than us & got stuck in traffic so took then nearly 2 hours to get back into the city & then ages to get back into the Terminal so didn’t get back to the hotel much before us in the end . We then went for Greek food which was very delicious we pigged out & downed it all with a massive pitcher of sangria, YUM! We all stagger back to the hotel very tired but still can’t drop off to sleep immediately. It’s like I think I’ll miss something & we did say sleep would be limited in New York so I was prepared but my body has other ideas. We’re walking everywhere which is a great way to see things & trying to take different streets each time so see as much as we can.

Wednesday & we only have a couple of days left in New York but we certainly have done a lot so far. Belinda, Ash & myself take off in search of shoes once we’ve all had omelettes at our fav place down the street. We got there a bit later today & the place was busy but we still got the same tasty food with a smile. So back to the shoes. We head to Saks on 5^th Avenue. Wow, what an amazing store. Catch the express lift to the 8^th floor which is made up entirely of shoes & has its own postcode. No Manolo’s so we try on some Louboutins assisted by Philip, purchase made by Belinda! Philip tells us they no longer stock Manolo’s because of their own store close by so off we go again to find it on 54^th street & it’s my turn for a purchase. Sure feels good to finally have these beautiful shoes we’ve been saving like forever for! We pop in to FAO Schwarz toy store then realise now hungry we are so on the way to Times Square we stop in at a diner for burgers & fries that looks typical of how I think a diner would have looked 50 years ago . Our waiter had a very thick accent & as I munched my burger, well done with side of coleslaw & pickle, I took in my surroundings & really enjoyed every second of where I was. By the time we finish in Time Square & walked all the way home again …. feet very achy & feel swollen ……….. very humid today & some interesting smells coming from the subway grates in the street. Any hoo, we realise we’re been walking around for another long 7 hour day. I make myself a very large scotch & do a foot soak (bringing some of this stuff home it’s great) then freshen up for a night of Jazz just down the street that we’ve passed several times & Gianna thought to enquire about. Nice dinner & some great music & as it starts to rain again we trundle home very happy, tummys full & looking forward to laying my head on my pillow & lights out.

Thursday & Belinda 2, Gianna & Ash catch the subway downtown to do their tour of the 9/11 Memorial & museum. I didn’t feel like I was ready to see it all but we were there earlier in the week (it’s across the road from Century 21) and saw the new towers . It has a serenity about it & the healing has definitely begun but it also has a sense of vulnerability that will probably always be there. But I also felt the strength & determination it offers to move forward & to keep going, it’s a very powerful reminder & one that this city holds dear with great pride. Blessed be.

So Belinda & I chose to do some more shopping which shouldn’t surprise anyone! We check out a couple of stores we hadn’t been to for a couple more purchases & I also get the 2^nd suitcase I was hoping I’d need J We grab a salad for lunch, by the way, every couple of blocks there’ll be somewhere that has a salad bar, hot food with fresh fruit & sandwiches with plenty of options for juice too & all reasonable priced. Thought I’d have trouble eating healthy over here but it’s been very easy thankfully but I have gone back to bottled water instead of drinking from the tap. Ash meets us back at the hotel & we head off to the Empire State Building & the 86^th floor for the most amazing view over the city & beyond . Wow, just wow! I really don’t want to leave, me like it here! We meet Sandie back at the hotel, she was out & about checking out a few places she hasn’t seen before (think there was another S’mac visit) & after some dinner we head off again to THE ROCK! Rockefeller Centre to view the city from a different angle at night. Just as amazing & I’m getting some fab photos. Another late night by the time we get home but more checked off the to do list. Still smiling but feet holding emergency talks & planning a strike!

It’s Friday, happy anniversary Belinda & Ash & it’s our last full day in New York *very sad face* how will we ever leave? Sandie is off to Carnegie Hall today for her meeting with their director who has agreed to mentor her for her charity, very exciting & a very big deal. The rest of us head off for one last omelette at the fav place then up 5^th Avenue to Tiffany’s where more purchases are made by nearly all of us, tick! Then we stroll thru Central Park & I finally get to see the Bethesda Fountain . Tick! There are buskers of all sorts. Where else would you see a ballerina & a sax player just metres from each other?! An absolutely beautiful day, the sun is shining & it’s not humid thankfully & the leaves are all changing colour. More squirrels around & pigeons seem to be everywhere too. It is so very beautiful here. We finally make it to the west side & the American Museum of Natural History, the one the movie Night at the Museum was filmed at. No way we can see everything so we split up & check out our top picks & meet again at the Rose Centre for Earth & Space for the show. After being in the dark in lay back seats we come out totally wiped out, the wall has been hit. A quick trip around to see the dinosaurs & Bel, Ash & I take off to find a cab back to the hotel for a break before they head off for their anniversary dinner. Belinda 2 & Gianna head to Rockefeller Centre for their viewing & I collapse on my bed very weary as Sandie tells me of her fab day. Have to start the packing unfortunately, Sandie leaves early in the morning for Hawaii & I’m with Bel & Ash to Vegas before Hawaii . I don’t want to leave, I’ve found it so easy to be here. I feel at home & have had no trouble at all knowing where I am & how to get to where I need to. I will be back New York & sooner rather than later. Know I won’t sleep tonight, want to just stare out the window all night & get as many memories as I can stored away.

Feeling content, happy & satisfied,
Sammy xxx