Yesterday, I promised to tell you about the New York trip... And today seems like a good day!
Warning:
Probably-too-long post ahead with many a picture.
Looking forward to this for several months, it was surreal to finally see all the city lights as we flew in... The lights were also a reminder of how giant this city is! Growing up near Chicago, I always thought Chicago was a big city, but New York makes it look small!
If I'd been by myself, I would have been overwhelmed by it. Thankfully, I wasn't by myself. My mom and dad were both able to travel with me, and I loved sharing this whole experience with them.
Travel advice from a non-travel-expert:
Travel with someone.
Having people I love with me on such adventures makes me feel like everything's going to be fine. It's easier to brave New York City when someone else is braving it with you. For example, we had a great shuttle driver who picked us up at the airport and took us to our hotel, but my mom and I could not watch as he made his own road out of nothing but a paper clip and a Junior Mint. (Movie reference, anyone?)
If I was on my own, that drive might have given me a heart attack, but instead, my mom and I couldn't help laughing about it together.
I don't usually have time for sightseeing on trips such as this (it just doesn't work out that way), but this time we had a day or so to walk around Lower Manhattan. It was about a thousand degrees, but it was one of the best days.
Wanting to go out and see the Statue of Liberty, we decided to take this boat instead of one of the ferries...
The breeze out on the water was incredibly welcome.
Also, I'd definitely recommend seeing the Statue of Liberty this way.
New York, NY.
Don't judge us... I told you it was a thousand degrees.
Also... they are the greatest.
We also visited the 9/11 Memorial.
Which... words cannot...
This was all on Sunday.
On Monday, my brother Evan flew in to join us, and that was amazing! It meant the world to me that he was there.
If you've been to one of my shows, you might know that I usually introduce "Rise and Fall" by talking about my family and how supportive they are. This is just another perfect example of that.
And then on Monday night, I opened for Three Dog Night at the City Winery in New York City. The show was sold out! There were 320 people in the audience, and it was so... much... fun... singing to a packed room.
They were good sports when I sang "Please Come to Boston", and they were a lovely crowd. I know they were there to see Three Dog Night, but they made me feel only welcome.
I loved every minute.
If you'd like to get a feel for what it was like, check out these videos! Thank you again, Ronny, for posting these!
As for Three Dog Night's show, the highlight for me was when they set their instruments down and sang "Prayer of the Children".
If you've made it all the way to the end, thanks for sticking with me. :)
I'll make sure my next post isn't a book.
All the love,
Brittany