Excitement

I am absolutely thrilled. New York is amazing.

I started today - as it should be - at Times Square. Already impressive during the day, but I will definitely come back here at night.

I already noticed that the ticket sales for the Broadway shows only open in the afternoon and they are not selling discounted tickets today... So I quickly checked the internet and knew right away where I wanted to go: The Phantom of the Opera!

But I still had a while until the evening, so I continued to Bryant Park and the famous New York Public Library. The sun slowly started to appear from behind the clouds.

Next, I actually managed to walk past the Empire State Building... In my defense: I just wanted to avoid the pushy Hop-on Hop-off bus tour salesmen. I realized it after just a few meters.

Fortunately, going up was quick, I hardly had to wait. The view was amazing! And it was actually not much windier than down here.

In Macy's, I couldn't resist the super bargains again... When I get home, I will impose a self-imposed shopping ban.

In Madison Square Park, overlooking the Flatiron Building, I soaked up the sun for a while before heading back to the hotel to freshen up for the evening and relax for a bit.

Before going to the theater, dinner was on the plan. I chose a Japanese BBQ restaurant, right next to the theater. Good thing I'm always so early, because as I suspected, I had to wait for half an hour before I got a table.

It was the first time I was asked for my ID in a restaurant when I ordered a cocktail. After that, I got to grill my own food. How cool. It's amazing what you pay money for... I would do it again anytime.

Not even 200 meters away, the next item on the agenda started! I always wanted to see The Phantom of the Opera live. Who would have thought that I could make it happen on Broadway! The performance was incredible! A very classic production with great voices and a superb stage design.