Day 1 – March 2, 2024 – New Jersey
…right when you land. After a long flight (during which the main entertainment was the American mockumentary sitcom The Office and listening to jazz artists), all you really want is a smooth landing and check-in at your hotel. Well, that’s not what was in store for us. Although the pilot did his job well, going through the immigration Inspection turned out to be problematic. I was the last one to get through, everyone behind me, including David, got stuck because simply the network collapsed.
An hour later, after our taxi that was supposed to pick us up was long gone, we found ourselves looking at ways how to get to Manhattan. Rainy day, chaotic airport and people not giving proper instructions, we made a group with random German tourists. In the end we decided for a train where we met a lady from Princeton. As you’d expect, she knew Czech Republic and even got some relatives there. She gave us some valuable tips where to go and what to see.
We made our way to the hotel. No, this part wasn’t really smooth either. After opening door of our room, it was smaller than from the images on the booking website. That wouldn’t be the main issue, which, as it turns out, would be the fact, that this room was already occupied. Thankfully the person wasn’t in the room at the time which would be very awkward. It was a quick trip back down to reception, where we received the right key and room, we finally unpacked our luggage. Finally we went on to enjoy the first night in the city.
With omnipresent mist, the atmosphere of the first night was perfect. Being unable to see the tops of the skyscrapers is an interesting feeling. Although we went there for good local dishes, why not start the trip with fast food. Burgers from Wendy’s turned out to be better than expected and as for the fast food that we ate during remaining days of the trip, it wouldn’t be topped, with just one exception.
New York offers huge amount of entertainment, with Broadway musicals, concerts, pubs and clubs, sporting events and much more. This trip would be focusing on the concerts part. First night we would go to the Columbus Circle where you can find Lincoln Center, complex of buildings that includes Rose Hall. Artistic director and leader of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is Wynton Marsalis whom we’re going to see later during this trip. Tonight it’s going to be trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and his concert A career retrospective in jazz. He performs with his E-Collective plus Turtle Island Quartet and during the night is joined by many artists including Benny Green, Pedrito Martinez and many more.
JK Art 
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