A Luxurious Stay, Meant to be Remembered

I was just going through some old notebooks and I found some notes on my stay at the Michelangelo in Manhattan. Apparently, I never shared it with you, but I told you I was there when I posted about my 30th birthday. My parents bought me and TK an overnight stay at the Michelangelo, a gift certificate for Victor's Cuban Cafe and two tickets to see In the Heights on Broadway in 2010 for my 30th birthday. We were also heading out on a cruise to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary immediately after we checked out.

The Michelangelo is on West 51st Street and 7th Avenue, right down the block from Victor's and a few blocks from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. It was conveniently located for all of our plans.

Upon walking in, the lobby is very plush and everything is marble. The furniture and tapestries are all in jewel tones of deep orange and red with gold and tan. Very opulent! When we got back from the show, we had a drink in the bar area of the lobby and lounged on the fancy furniture.

In the room, the bed was very comfortable and the bathroom was lovely. There was a leather bench and a magnifying mirror at the vanity. The toiletries were made of citrus and Italian olive oil to create a bright and refreshing scent. And, there were terry cloth robes for our use, which I LOVE.

We had a very simple turn down service and the bell hop, Henry, was so nice and very accommodating. I don't know if he still works there three years later, but if he does, ask for him.

While staying at the Michelangelo, we felt very pampered and special, but I am sure that my parents paid good money for that. If I could afford it or if I found a really great deal, I would definitely stay there again.

You may be saying, "Why tell us three years later?" But, I figure it's like when someone asks, "Have you stayed at the Michelangelo?" And, I answer, "Yea, three years ago," they would still ask what it was like, so there it is. 

Saving Mr. Banks

On Sunday, January 5, TK and I went to the movies (finally) to see Saving Mr. Banks. I mean, I HAD to see it. 1. It is a Disney movie and 2. It is based on a true story. I am a sucker for both factors.

The Walt Disney Pictures Movie Poster

If you haven't seen it, Saving Mr. Banks is about a woman, P.L. Travers, who created the character of Mary Poppins and Walt Disney's desire, after refusing him for 20 years, to turn her story into a motion picture. The process is a very difficult one as Travers is very (rightfully) picky over how her characters and settings are portrayed, but it ends up becoming a beloved classic, just like this movie is set to be.

When the movie started and I got an idea of what kind of person Travers was, thanks to Emma Thompson, she reminded me of my deceased maternal grandmother. My grandmother used to be a very brash, "tell-it-like-it-is" person who many were afraid of and who thought it was her job to keep everyone's moral compass pointed in the right direction, like Travers. I began to understand Travers' struggle because I understood my grandmother. Throughout my grandmother's life, she worked hard and strong to protect herself, her family, her children and her children's children. Travers was doing the same, only she was protecting the family that she created in Mary Poppins. Even though she appeared to be a tough, mean person, she did let people into her heart, like my grandma did with me. Then, they realize that they can preserve their love and heart, and break down a few walls in the process.

My husband was surprised that the movie was so sad, but it really had to be because in order to depict the internal and external struggle of Travers, the viewer had to feel and see the sadness and difficulty that she felt. Her background and attitude were not just tossed in, the story and film were built around it.

During the movie, an elderly couple in front of us was speaking about the movie while it was on, so I couldn't help but listen to what the husband was saying. He said the movie "was like a tranquilizer" because it was moving so slow. And then, he told his wife that he had enough and was ready to leave, so they got up and LEFT! He talked about how disgusted he was as they walked down the aisle toward the door, and he even said, "Yuck!" I thought it was humorous, but he never really gave the movie a chance to pick up. They had to give the background before they gave away the parts that the audience was looking for.

So, my grandmother's birthday is tomorrow, and even though I never gave it much thought before because I just loved her unconditionally, I understand her like I understand Travers. I didn't care how mean she might have been to someone or how many rude comments came out of her mouth, she had her own reasons for them, and I understood and I loved her, and I understood and loved Saving Mr. Banks too. See it and let me know what you think.