On our last day, we were headed to Broadway to watch WICKED. Watching Wicked on Broadway was the main reason we ventured to New York City; my sister graduated from high school and getting to enjoy the show, in person, was her present. However, before I get into the details of our last day in NYC, I want to thank our hostess and explain how amazing and hospitable she was to us during our time so far away from home.
My grandma's cousin took us in and allowed us make ourselves at home for three nights without having previously met my mom, sister or I, nor having seen my dad since he was four years old! On top of giving us a place to stay, she also provided us with so much food! On the first night, we arrived to her house to find ingredients to make quinoa pasta spaghetti, tons of fruit and a fresh green salad! This was so amazing to me, as restaurant and cooler food is nice, but can get old real fast. So, to have a home cooked meal meant so much to me! The food did not stop there; in the morning, my grandma's cousin shared her favorite cereal with me; it is now my favorite cereal too! One more thing: on our last day in New York, she went to Starbucks and brought us each back our preferred drink! Thank you so much for letting us all stay at your house and feeding us; I enjoyed getting to know you!
My drink of the morning; I love iced green tea!
We slowly got ready on our last day in New York City; the play did not start until three in the afternoon, so there was no reason to rush. We said out goodbyes and then prepared to leave. We packed up all our belongings and loaded it all back into our van; then, we piled in too. We drove to 96th street, just like we had the past two days, parked in the same parking garage and then walked to the subway at the 96th street station for the last time.
When we entered the station, there was yellow caution tape wrapped around the door that I passed through after swiping my MetroCard; the turn styles were not blocked off, just the handicap entrance. I almost panicked; we had to get to the three o' clock showing of WICKED and I did not want my family to miss their opportunity to watch the play. Fortunately, I did not have the time to panic; my mom was on a mission to find a way for me to get through to the elevator down to the train. She instantly went to the information booth and asked two questions: one, what was the caution tape for and two, if it was possible for me to still get onto the train. The first question was not answered by the attendant in the information booth, but we shortly found out the answer ourselves. The attendant did inform us that there was a way to walk around the outside of the building (cross the street walk a block and cross the street back to the second entrance) and enter through the other side of the station. There we would find a second handicap entrance. When we entered through the other side, we could see that the tape blocking off the first entrance was only there because someone was taking photos while standing on a latter. The door was not broken, the latter was no where close to the blocked off door (it was actually closer to the turn styles that were still available for use), but I guess the photographer wanted to keep his space? I know that I do not know all the details to this situation, but next time please really take into account how your work space is going to effect those around you before you start blocking off doors. How would you feel if you walked into a subway station and you were told that you had to go through the turn styles at the other entrance; "sorry, these are not available for you to use."
After trying to comprehend exactly why they had me go around, I got on the train and rode to Colobus Circle. When we exited off the train, my dad thought to ask the lady at the information booth if the elevator in the station for accessing the north bound train had been fixed yet. She informed us that she had just returned from being on vacation, so she did not know. We just went on our way and decided to deal with our dilemma later. To exit the station, I found the "unaccessible" ramp (see day 10 of our trip); I rolled down the ramp this time instead of using the elevator and then used the second elevator to get up to the street.
Now that we were free to roam the streets, we spent the next couple of ours browsing shops on Broadway. After we were tired of shopping, we went and sat in the lobby where the showing of Wicked was going to take place.
Infront of the sign advertising WICKED
In the lobby of WICKED on Broadway
In the lobby
The time finally came for us to get in line to be seated for the show! We were told to go stand next to the elevator and wait there for our escort. We were waiting there when another family (or group) came along in need of using the elevator as well. I thought it was interesting that she only had a walking cast on and she insisted that her party be taken up to their designated seats first; she paid no attention to the other groups waiting for the elevator. The escort took them up to the floor where their seats were located and then came back to get us. He apologized to us and explained that it is just easier to abide by certain people's demands. We understood his choice; that as an attendant, he has to pick his battles wisely. When we reached the second floor (where our seats were located), our attendant showed us the location of the handicap bathroom; it is right next to the elevator on the second floor. I found this placement of the bathroom a little odd, as the handicap seating is actually on the fourth floor. Why is the only handicap bathroom located on the second floor, when the majority of the people who use it are seated two floors up?
Even though the bathroom was poorly placed, it worked out for us. We had purchased tickets to sit in the back half of the first tier; and we sat in row eleven or twelve (located on the second floor)! These were amazing seats, but we had to compromise to sit there. The only wheelchair accessible seats are located on the fourth floor, in the back of the theater. We decided I would enjoy Wicked better if I was closer and able to see the performance more clearly, so someone would need to carry me from the second floor lobby into the theater and then I would sit in a seat (not my wheelchair). After the elevator ride, there is a set of stairs up to the doorway of the theater. Then, there were steps down to our seats as well. We wanted to choose our seats, just like anyone else who purchased their tickets so far in advance. Since we called way ahead (and once the theater attendant knew what we were asking for), they were very accommodating to our requests. Once we arrived to the theater, all the attendants were extremely helpful as well.
WICKED was so amazing; the timing of the lights, live orchestra and acting were flawless. The performance was breathtaking and the story line, so cleaver. I really enjoyed the show way beyond what I imagined I would! I am glad that we watched Wicked at the end of our trip; what a great way to wrap up our time in New York City! I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to experience this Broadway production, filled with so much talent and pizzazz with my family. Thank you Mom and Dad for taking both Gina and I, and thank you Gina for inviting us all to enjoy your graduation present with you!
After the show, we all needed to use the bathroom before riding the subway train back up to 96th street to eat dinner and get our car. When I got to the bathroom, it was already occupied and there were three people in line; a mom in a wheelchair with her little girl, and an able bodied woman. This is the handicap bathroom we are talking about; it is segregated off away from the rest of the bathrooms, but this able bodied lady decided that she should use the ONLY wheelchair accessible toilet in the building. I wanted to ask her why she needed the handicap bathroom as she was by herself, walks just fine and does not use a walking aid either. The thing is, if she used the handicap bathroom, there was only one person in front of her, but the line for the able bodied bathrooms consisted of every other women in the theater, making her wait "too long". The handicap bathroom is also separated away from the others, making it more private. When the first lady in the bathroom was finished, the able bodied lady took her turn. This lady took forever; the mom and the little girl went next and were way faster than her! By the time my mom and I took our turn, both my dad and my sister had made it through the able bodied lines and were waiting down in the lobby for us. So, really, which line is faster? It is super frustrating that an able bodied person can pick the shorter and "faster" line, but I or anyone else in a wheelchair cannot just default to using a regular stall if we really needed to. If you are able to fit in a regular stall, do not need bars or assistance using the bathroom, please do not use the handicap bathroom.
Ok, here comes some good news. We left the theater and walked to Columbus Circle. We were concerned that we were not going to be able to return to 96th street via the subway, as we had not been informed earlier whether or not the elevator that we needed was fixed. We figured out that there was another way to get onto the train in order to head up town; why didn't the two different workers that we talked to at this station tell us this crucial piece of information?
We made it onto the train to ride back to 96th street for the last time. Here, we walked over to Gabriela's (a mexican restaurant), where we met up with my grandma's other cousin and her husband, who also live in New York, and ate dinner. It was great to see them and spend time with them again. For dinner, I ordered an interesting chicken mole dish. The food was not the best, but the building was accessible and we all got to share a meal together. Thank you to you both for dinner, I'm glad we were able to meet up again!
At dinner on our last night in NYC
We finished our dinner, said our goodbyes and parted our separate ways. Mom, Dad, Gina and I all got into our van to begin our journey home. That night, after driving three hours (in order to get out of New York), we stayed in a Holiday Inn Express off highway 80 in Whitehaven, Pennsylvania. From there we drove straight home; we drove forty-nine hours, only stopping to go to the bathroom, buy food and/or get gas.
What a crazy, fun-filled adventure we had together. I am so blessed to have such an amazing family and that we all could go on this road trip together. We have made such wonderful memories together, memories that we can cherish forever.
