Finding Neverland

After a big Saturday at the baseball followed by a night out in Brooklyn Sunday was not treating me well. Determined to make the most of my limited time in NYC, after a few episodes of Broad City (just to get me in the New York mood) I headed to Time Square. 

Not only is this a great spot to be engulfed in advertising but also the heart of Broadway. What better way to combat a hangover than some culture with a Broadway show. 

Time Square = tooo many people

A few months ago, as a follower of @MatthewMorrison on Twitter, I noticed him posting about his latest Broadway show. Excitedly I checked if Finding Neverland would be on when I was in New York. Anyone even a little familiar with Broadway would know that the seasons are incredibly long and I'd actually have been very unlucky if it had spotted before I arrived. 

Matthew Morrison is perhaps my favourite character on Glee. Glee is my one of my not so secret guilty pleasures. I do like to save up episodes and binge when I'm home sick. Nothing makes me feel more cheery than pop song mash ups joint with perfectly choreographed dance moves and outfits to maximise cheesiness.  

Mission in mind I made it to Broadway with a half hour before the matinee show to find where I was going and get a ticket. 

The discount ticket sellers said it was too close for the show to sell me a ticket. So I went to the box office. Although she got in trouble with the ticket booth attendee a lady told me she had a spare ticket. This women, who's name I can't recall - but let's call her Grandma, had bought all her 9 grandchildren and their three mothers from a few hours north on the train for a day in NYC. One of her grandsons had a soccer game so I became their cousin. 

 

In true American style they were very impressed I was all the way from New Zealand, and by myself! 

Grandma had bought the tickets four months earlier so they were great seats and I have her my remaining cash but it was just a fraction of the ticket price. 

Sweet view. 

At half time Grandma had to be held back from causing a scene asking a women in front of the kids to remove her hat. "It's blocking the kids view, and why is she wearing a hat inside? AND it's a darn ugly hat anyway!"

A kind girl took a photo for me with my very broken iPhone. I look like I have no hand.

Oh and also the play was great. The kids were excellent actors with beautiful voices. Such a heart warming story of course with a few tears. But a lovely afternoon. 

Tea-Rex

This guy is just great!

Hunting the Capivaras

Olivia had found these critters at the lake before so we got on our bikes and went a hunting. 

Capivaras is the português name, so referred to as capabara in English. They are the largest of the rodent family and can weigh up to 91kgs and are found in a bunch of places around South America. Living in both water and on land.

I wasn't sure where we would see them, in the scrubs? Under the trees? And then there they were floating in the water!

We found them!!!! YES!

Loved the front guy covered in slime !

Olivia's boyfriend Rios told us that they actually take the Capitvatas away from the lake when there get to be too many because people EAT THEM! These crazy Brazilians. Although I must say they do have a fair bit of meat on them.

This one got out for a walk about

Roll over, Roll over...

Was so stoked to find this little guys, and they were excellent entertainment for some time. We bought a fresh coconut to enjoy well we watched them. 

The man selling coconuts came over because he thought that we were watching birds (they like to eat the coconut meat) but then laughed and laughed at the Capivatas. He made a noise that gave them a fright and they all dived under the water and swam away SO quickly. Mr. Coconut man swore that he did nothing..

Luckily after a few minutes they appeared out from under the scrubs into view again.

Later this same day we saw dolphins swimming at Ipanema Beach - apparently a very rare sighting here in Brazil! So was very lucky!