Day 13: A Wicked Time Seeing More Animals

My plan to get up early to go see the Statue of Liberty did not go as planned. I needed the sleep and I’m going to be up late tonight, so I’m okay with it.

Today’s destination: the Central Park Zoo!! I told my cab driver that’s where I was going and he kindly warned me to watch out for escaping animals. I was confused until he said “Kowalski” and it clicked… Madagascar!! I’d completely forgotten about that movie. If I’d known this was my destination today, I would have watched the movie last night.

I finally saw my red panda close up. And what did this zoo have that the National Zoo didn’t? That’s right. Penguins!

After finishing at the zoo, I wandered down to Rockefeller Center. I decided to do the Top of the Rock. Seventh floor up and a view of the city.

After viewing the city, I did more wandering around to do some casual sight seeing.

Too bad I don't have time

Music Man!

I found them!!

Scientology ho!

Hamilton!

I grabbed dinner at Hard Rock, which was just okay. I was really eating there to kill time before going to Wicked.

Oh. My. Gods.

I’ve seen two touring companies do this show, but the shows were NOTHING like seeing it on a permanent stage. I’m pretty sure I didn’t blink the whole first half. I’ve been so enthralled, I’ve not even been tempted to him along in my seat… I want the pure experience. (I’m such a theatre nerd.) The lead ended up having to call in her understudy for the second act and she was just as phenomenal. It’s too bad tomorrow is my last day and I’ve got Colbert or I would be trying to score cancellation tickets to ANYTHING.

And now I’m back at my hotel, about to go to bed. I’ve got a busy day tomorrow… American History Museum in the morning. The Late Show taping in the late afternoon/preevening. Then I need to get stuff all packed up for the last leg of Sarah’s Epic Train Trip. The time is flying by!