Once in a Lifetime (Hopefully)

Nick asked if we could go to the Intrepid and museum this morning, 

but in the end everyone wanted a day to sleep in. Next time, for sure, Nick!

Skipped breakfast for sleep and started the day with lunch at Tonchin Ramen -- 

Michelin rated, and well deserved!

I'm not a fan of ramen because everyone finishes before me so I never feel like I've had enough to eat. 

And slopping noodles on my chin after every bite is annoying. 

But wow! I loved my meal! Spicy Miso and Ginger (vegetarian -- not a fan of the pork in ramen either), was so delicious! Topped off with the lightest, tastiest strawberry and mango shaved ice.

I'm actually craving going back! And wishing to buy the $1700 shaved ice machine...

Walked over to see the matinee of Wicked. 

We were on the third row. Being so close was thrilling. I loved being able to see the expressions of the actors. I'd forgotten some key plot elements so I was surprised and engaged in the story all over again, and my only regret was that it wasn't sing-along. It was so fantastic!

We walked through Rockefeller Center to 5th Avenue for another pass at Uniqlo and Zara

and an attempt at FAO Schwarz which we skipped because the line was too long. 

After shopping, the boys relaxed at the hotel before dinner, but Courtney, Lizzie and I went downtown to Union Square Christmas Market. We debated going back to the hotel for a minute, but Lizzie suggested just staying out so we didn't get home and crash. Good idea. Crashing would have been tempting!

Union Christmas Market is always a highlight! Such fun unique things to look at -- 

I'm regretting not buying a cute pillow cover I saw.

Courtney introduced us to the best chocolate truffles I've ever had.

So good in fact we bought bags of one of each of the six flavors for everyone in our group.

Korean BBQ at Gaonurri for dinner (the same place from Courtney & Michael's sealing)

because it was so good and we wanted Marty & Lizzie to get a chance to try it.

So delicious all over again!

And to finish off the night, we went to the top of the Empire State Building. 

We bought tickets to the viewing deck on the 86th floor, then paid additional to go all the way up the slim top tower to the 102nd.

After a lap around the viewing deck, it was 11:00 p.m. and got in line to go up to 102.

A couple was first, then the ten of us were going in. The parents were the only ones not on, but the car elevator was looking pretty crowded with eight on. The attendant was a kind old man who encouraged us to cram on. (I think he wanted us to be able to maximize our time up top.) But we decided to wait for the next car -- especially considering another couple was already on and might not want to be squished with all of us. Courtney decided to get off too and go up with us to make more room. 

And then I said, "Uh oh, when couples get split up, that's when something bad happens."

We waited for the elevator to return. And waited. 

We joked about them possibly being stuck. 

The attendant said they had definitely made it to the top, but in the group coming down someone had probably hit all the buttons. (There are a few, apparently. Not 102. Just three.)

And pretty soon there were six or seven more people waiting behind us. 

 He got on his walkie talkie to let *someone* know a line was forming. 

At the back of the line a man asked if the elevator wasn't working.

And then we got a text from Nick saying, "We're stuck."

And suddenly there were several staff figuring out a plan. Our friendly attendant mentioned that one tine a group of high school kids had to be rescued by fire fighters and harnessed from the elevator to safety one by one. He said their parents were panicking, but the kids loved it. 

He also said he was really glad we hadn't all gotten on the elevator. 

I said, "You might have felt a little guilty."

And he said, "No, I would have gotten in big trouble. The max is nine!"

Our crew stuck inside were able to text with updates. 

Including a text from Lizzie saying we should watch her Instagram story. 

Chris was narrating their experience for all of Lizzie's followers to enjoy!

The five of us not stuck walked outside and took more pictures.

After 30 minutes they emerged. As it turned out, the elevator was only a few feet off the ground.

But each time it lurched, they didn't know that! 

It had started up, then stopped short, then dropped a bit. 

At first they thought it was "part of the experience." A little Tower of Terror to make it more exciting. 

But after a while, they realized they were probably stuck. So Michael hit the call button.

It was the first any employee knew the elevator had stopped working.

Emerging from Empire State Building elevator captivity

The guy who was talking to them while they were in the elevator. 
Our attendant who was hoping not to get fired is behind.

Not only did everyone who was stuck get gift bags (a string backpack and teddy bears dressed in Empire State Building elevator attendant uniforms and a history book of the building), but we got refunded for our tickets and 10 more tickets to come back! (Which we gave to Courtney and Michael.) 

Best of all is being able to say you were stuck in an elevator for 30 minutes

on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building.