Twenty-Sixth and Final Full Day – in NYC – Madison Square Garden

It seems that with each passing day, I am feeling more sick and today I wasn’t able to go out for the activities during the day. I could tell you about my day but that’s not interesting. I slept and watched Glee. Then I had a shower – and that is literally it. But I felt a bit better in the evening – well enough, I decided, to go watch a Rangers game at Madison Square Garden – ice hockey.

I’m an Australian, so this was my first ice hockey game ever and the thing that I was most excited about was a chance to wear my new coat. See, although I’ve spent a lot of time in my life as a tourist, I always pride myself on not dressing like one – until this time with my blue coat, which was great for skiing, but walking through 5th Avenue… I feel a tad out of place when really, it should be like this:

 

So that is how I looked when I went out today, minus the Tiffany’s bag. Looking a lot like myself – with a trench coat, my crucifix necklace and sparkly shoes – so yeah maybe I’m a little unusual. But then when I was walking to Madison Square Garden, wearing the same coat as Charleise – I realized I didn’t look unusual: I looked like a bit of a freak. This probably has something to do with the fact my cough sounded like a blocked drain pipe and when I spoke I sounded like an 80 year old man who’d been smoking for a 100 years. Yeah. Figure that maths out.

But moving on from my vanity, and back to the game. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it, honestly. I thought I could just sit there and go off into my own little world. I didn’t like the fans around us, at first. But over time, I started to get more into it – although I was sitting there a bit dopey and in a feverish stupor. Some eager fans, who were a bit drunk and were very rude to us at first changed over time and started explaining the rules to us and everything. I liked watching them fight – it was my favourite part. I’ll bet that just ruined your impression of me, but hey, when I was 8 years old my favourite program was WWE Wrestling.

The Rangers are New York’s team and their colours are blue and red and so they used the expression “true blue” a lot, and they were against Los Angeles Kings. I have been to both cities, but we all elected to support Rangers because:

1) We got a free t-shirt

2) They used the expression “true blue” – a typical Australian expression

3) If you weren’t a Rangers fan, you would NOT have liked to be in that stadium.

The game was great – it went into overtime, and then a shootout and the Rangers won. Everyone is extremely patriotic, and incredibly enthusiastic. But the other thing I loved about the game were all the people walking around selling things like hotdogs, pretzels, popcorn, drinks and chips. It was so awesome – when Anne and I first saw it, we squealed and jumped up and down and Mum told us to control ourselves.

  (I think that man was selling hotdogs)

So today was our final full day which, naturally, is a little sad but I am looking forward to getting home… to see my pets, sleep in my own room, see my friends, go to church, be able to walk outside without layering up because, of course, there’s not place like home.

It has been great being with the Dightons – they are all such great fun. Peter is plain hilarious but always walking a line of what’s appropriate, and Anne is just lovely. You are also always guaranteed some form of entertainment with Ben around, and I also enjoyed meeting and getting to know his girlfriend, Charleise some more. Charleise is very beautiful – but she also has the incredible sense of loyalty and was ready to “sock the guys were being rude to Jonny” and an amazing confidence that so many people long to have. So, Benjamin – top marks. I approve.

As I mentioned earlier, I like to not look like a tourist and generally look quite respectable wherever I go… yeah… this was certainly not the case after the Rangers game…

 

I have my hair out because I’ve lost all my hair ties and have been reduced to wearing rubber bands in my hair and am wearing my free T-shirt – it was one-size fits all and that size was Extra Large. I’m also holding my drink from the game – that was a regular size… only in USA.

And now, I feel I must leave you. I want to feel at least slightly better for my journey home tomorrow and as most of you know my Mum’s a nurse and her general philosophy is: “If you’re not dead, you’re okay”.