It's a Helluva Town

I do not recommend travelling across country with 2 suitcases, a carry on, a backpack, a coat and travel wallet. That was just my luggage. Somehow with all that luggage and getting lost Samantha and I managed to jump on our bus from Washington DC to New York with about 2 minutes to spare. 

A nap, a few Snapchats, a blog post and a taxi ride later we reached the Holiday Inn in Chelsea. In the lobby I also found fellow Pizza Planetear, Rebecca. 

It was too early to inspect our rooms, so we headed for the most American restaurant - McDonald's in Times Square. 

We sat and watched the weird Disney characters from a comfortable distance. I found it highly disturbing when I spotted a human head emerging from Elsa's jugular. After our nutritionally unsound meals we briefly explored Bryant Park. 

Then we celebrated literacy and some pretty stunning architecture. 

Sussing out the New York Public Library was much more interesting than dropping into my local library in Australia. 

Not every house of books holds a nineteenth century Russian sculpture. 

Or a portrait of a dude who couldn't be bothered with pants. 

After freshening up in our tiny hotel room Times Square requested our return. 

We bought half price tickets and ate a little Starbucks. 

We circled the block only to find our theatre just across from the TCKTS stand. 

Samantha, Rebecca and I were going to watch one of the best musicals I've ever seen - An American in Paris. 

This one was my choice. Maybe because it was the inspiration for the address of this blog (anaustralianinamerica.blogspot.com). 

Every aspect of the production possessed just the right amount of perfection. A woman and three male suitors sang and danced their way through a post World War II Parisian world of loss and love. Nods to French Impressionism were beautifully balanced by innovative choreography and the songs of musical theatre pioneers George and Ira Gershwin.

A brief photoshoot concluded our first night in the Big Apple. 

A couple gave us their hats. I was a little sceptical too, but why not take a photo with them.