SAN FRANCISCO DANCE TRIP 2012 (Sunny skies & twinkling toes. I'll review the trip, but this time in prose)
Take off: 6:00 a.m on time. Getting over the pass was tough with very bad weather. First night in Redding and then we awoke to sunshine from east to west... blue skies, shining on us. Ray did the dramatic entrance to San Francisco....across the Golden Gate Bridge. Then immediately off to Sunday classes. The dancers took varied classes in ballet, lyrical jazz, contemporary, Broadway jazz, hiphop, salsa, rhythm and motion, and more. They all were complimented by the instuctors for being very able and attentive in their classes. There were many challenges & they rose to each occasion.
We were very busy getting to and from classes, but found time to: visit and eat at Pompeii's Grotto at Fisherman's Wharf, visit the De Young Museum at Golden Gate Park, brave the strong winds at the Pacific Ocean, ride the cable cars, eat at Mel's Diner with Emily, Alison and Sara and more! THE DANCERS: Rio Kemmotsu, Jenny McMillan, Micaela Pirzio-Biroli, Shalini Grover, Sara Zappelli, Emily Novosel, Alison Novosel
We became recognizable at the Marina Safeway where we went nightly (one exception..Whole Foods) to secure breakfast for the next day. We got extra excercise one day when the Lombard Motel elevators didn't work. Ray drove everywhere successfully & at the same time took memorable pictures of the dance/activities. (pix to follow). I took a class each day and really enjoyed thinking about dance for myself. I love to dance!!!!
We returned, a week later with memories that will last a lifetime. My special thanks to the parents who supported this dance adventure and to the dancers whose intelligence & abilities were made evident and to Ray, my husband, who has taken us on 54 San Francisco adventure in dance. VIVA LA COMPANIE With love, as ever, Camille Chrysler
NEW YORK CITY TRIP...March 8-11 (Going for the finish)
SATURDAY..... UP TO LAST DAY BEFORE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS OFF TO SATISFY OUR CRAVINGS FOR BEAUTY, CULTURE AND THE LIKE.
NYC HISTORICAL SOCIETY TOLD THE NYC STORY. PLANS & PIX FROM THE BEGINNING TO DATE ALERT! A PROJECTED DUBAI WATERFRONT SEEMS TO BE NYC'S FATE ("way-out" as you might say)
WALKING ALONG CENTRAL PARK IN THE SUN BIRDS, DOG-WALKERS, & FOLKS OUT FOR A RUN AFTER SO MANY YEARS CENTRAL "HOLDS IT'S GROUND"
DOWN THE MILE WHERE MUSEUMS ABOUND CONGRATULATING OURSELVES FOR GETTING AROUND TAXI DOWN TO CANAL TO MEET MY PAL, REMI....LUNCH!
MET THE OWNER, A STRONG, GLAMOROUS LADY SAID SHE "JUST HAD TO MEET ME AS ALL THE WAITERS SAID I WAS BEAUTIFUL" "THANK YOU", BUT PERHAPS THEY WERE JUST BEING DUTIFUL
THIS EXPERIENCE WAS COMPOUNDED WHEN WE RETURN TO THE EDISON THE HOUSEKEEPER TELLS ME I LOOK LIKE HER DAUGHTER IN POLAND SHE IS AGAPE AND CRYING, GUESS I 'M A CLONE, NICE NOT TO BE ALONE
WELL, "WAR HORSE" WAS OUTSTANDING, OF COURSE A SPECTACULAR SETTING, MECHANICAL ANIMATION, OVERHEAD PROJECTIONS REVOLVING STAGE, WORLD WAR I RAGE.
WALK THROUGH "THE CIRCLE" TO FINISH THE NIGHT NYC STREET-LIFE IS QUITE A DELIGHT GET FOOD & DRINK, BOARDING PASSES, PACK, & TURN OUT THE LIGHT
SUNDAY IS "SUN" DAY, WALKING & SHOPPING, NEVER STOPPING MEET CARNEGIE DELI OWNER AND GET MY "TICKET HOME" (pastrami on rye, dills, mustard +++) THIS NYC TALE WAS TO BE SHORT & IT'S PRACTICALLY A TOME.
I LOVE THE CITY, THAT'S QUITE CLEAR AND I'LL COME BACK ANOTHER YEAR FOR IN TRUTH NYC IS "ALL THAT JAZZ" TO ME
A BLAST...(on the A train from JFK to NYC) Take the A train from the plane. This is insanity, all kinds of humanity. "Do not lean on the door" "Do not pee on the floor". Crossed arms and asleep, NYC herd of sheep. Black is on-track, not going back. Swinging & swaying, tweeting & praying... Clickity, clicks, clackity clacks Wobbling along on glistening tracks Howard Beach, Brooklyn, slipping thru the tunnel, The A train is simply a NYC funnel. Blue & white tiles for miles & miles 75% wired, the rest looking tired. Priority seating, baritone greeting "Have a warm cozy weekend, Canal will be next. (He writes his own text) Flierce NYPD guns, tazers, the works, stand feet apart I feel like singing, "You've got to have Heart!" 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd...at last I arrive Excited to be alive in NYC, THE PLACE TO BE!!!!
