FAMILY SOJOURN - US TOUR (Part 4 – NEW YORK & BOSTON)

A story by Stiff Lu – Night watch for Kasbah Boracay, proprietor at Loudhouse Music Enterprise, lead vocalist of the Rockoustic Blues Experiment, gatekeeper of The Rizal Underground and a musical voyager/dad to some of the most beautiful destinations of the World)

Part 4 of kicks off with our Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour around New York City. Last time I was in here was 1990 so you can imagine the excitement to finally see these iconic destinations up close - Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Chinatown, Central Park, etc.., all for $35, It’s a great deal and a good way to see the City. We stayed on the bus for the view from the top and decided to stop by Chinatown for lunch and had a chance to take a peek at Little Italy along the way. We rode some more and I was quite delighted to see Radio City Music Hall & Colombia University, then a last stop at the Metropolitan Museum right before closing so we got another great deal – pay as you wish for a 45 minute tour.

After which we crossed town for an authentic New York City Pizza treat from WARREN DAYA and the long trip from the museum saved us from having to stand in line which Warren and hubby, Margaret were so nice to accomplish on our behalf. Sofia, who loves pizza, will never forget the experience, & apparently, it’s the water in New York that makes the pizza, at least that’s what we’re told. After dinner we rushed to Times Square to see it at night and it was an amazing spectacle of lights and people but we had to rush back to Port Authority to catch the last bus to Livingston, NJ to head back to Oca’s, remember him from UP Football Varsity?

On the second day of this bus tour, we visited the Statue of Liberty and the girls wanted to see this fountain in Central Park, part of a movie set. We did more walking & trains until we can’t walk no more. We decided to head back to Livingston early to pack up and check in to a hotel in Long Island city for gig day. The hotel stay was for convenience and also in preparation for a quick ride out of town to Boston for a few nights with #myfavoritetitamarla, another UP associate.

After a quick run through with RUBBERBAND on Saturday, we went to the venue, UGLY KITCHEN to sound check and met up with a new found friend ARIS TUASON & TED REYES who helped put this together. The show was opened by KRIZIA DAYA and the guys from RUBBERBAND delivered with an awesome performance for a really, really great night. It was lovely seeing some good friends in New York who came to the show, like legendary Filipino radio personality COUSIN HOAGY & of course the beautiful KAREN KUNAWICZ. You can see the PHOTOS HERE.

At 9am the following day, we drive out to Boston for a couple of nights. Nice scenic drive from New York, Boston is totally different and definitely a quiet and relaxing environment, good for a good night’s rest for the next day will be spent touring the Harvard University campus, never been to an Ivy League school actually. Before you know, it was time to head back to prepare for that New England Clam Chowder & special Lobster dinner prepared by #myfavoritetitamarla herself. Had to call it the night because I had to take the early morning train back to New York for the U2's "INNOCENCE + EXPERIENCE show at Madison Square Garden, another click off the bucket list.

The kids on the other hand were staying another night in Boston to catch the Sam Smith concert at TD Garden, home of the Celtics. This would be the first time we were going our separate ways as they will be flying back to San Diego the day after while I stay on in the Big Apple for a few more days before I head out to Houston for another leg of the tour.

It was a smooth 3 hour ride by Amtrak to New York and time for me to review the U2 catalog in transit. After arriving in NYC, I had a couple of hours to burn so I decided to catch a few at the Ugly Kitchen to have a few bevies with my gracious host ARIS TUAZON, who you'll be reading about more in the coming episode; before meeting up with my varsity mate, Oca, remember him again? Such an amazing show but I’ll have to talk about that in the final episode of this tour – my return to New York City, U2 and Houston. Stay tuned to this channel for more. Here's the link to this episode's PHOTOS HERE. Click on my new page STIFF LU for more photos and information.

This story is dedicated to all those who made it possible. Sofia, Stephanie and I are truly grateful to y’all and these PHOTOS are testimony to how much fun we had during this trip. THANK YOU!!! Stuff dreams are made of – travelling, touring, bonding and parenting all in one!

Enjoy this video of U2 performing at Madison Square Garden