First Saturday, July 6th

My name is Julie Daffron, and I have the privilege of being on this trip.  Today was a free day of sorts so our group dispersed throughout the city.  Seven of us went to a matinee showing of Mamma Mia on Broadway, and it was phenomenal.  The singing, acting, stage design was fantastic, and we all loved how at the end after they all took a bow they sang two more songs.  They got the audience involved, and soon the entire theater was standing and dancing and singing along.  It's great when the actors can interact with the audience; it makes it seem less formal.  

The agenda tonight for me involves dinner with part of the group and then dancing the night away!

An interesting issue that I've had to deal with is sense of direction.  Regardless of where you look, all you see are buildings.  I must say I see now that I was spoiled growing up in Albuquerque where the massive set of mountains signal due East.  Here I walk up from the subway and I feel as though I might as well be blindfolded because I can't feel what direction we are facing.  Only when we walk to the next street do I gather my bearings.  This is still an obstacle of city life that I am struggling with. 

                                                                     Mamma Mia!

                                                           A view from Central Park

                                                            Classic New York street