It all started a month ago when Patty got her new cart we’ll call it. I didn’t realize how cute and small it was until we got to the concert though I saw that it fit in the back of her small car. Patty had asked if I’d like to go with her to see Paul and though I didn’t really like crowds I do love Beatle music. We had decided to have dinner at the Hard Rock café before the concert and Patty had called and though they didn’t take reservations they gave preferential treatment to handicap.
We had decided to head out about 3 p.m. though the concert didn’t start until 8 p.m. We didn’t want to hit traffic and if we did we wanted plenty of time. I was a little leery since I’d never been to Yankee Stadium especially the new one so I didn’t know the ins and outs of getting there. Patty had directions to where the parking was so I held those and she put on the GPS.
Route 17 got very busy so we headed down other roads to get to route 4. I love Patty, she’s so smart and I always learn from her. We had a grand time getting over to the city. We got to our exit and there was traffic all went pretty smoothly. The GPS wasn’t any use trying to take us a different way. Now that I think about it, it was probably the fastest and best way if we had listened to it.
We got almost to the parking and Patty turned left. I was shocked and had to just watch. I knew that the parking was on the next block but the following block after that one was the Major Degan which she thought wouldn’t be able to get back from so she turned. It took me several minutes to convince her that was where the parking was and then it took us over 20 minutes to get turned around and back to the parking. I felt that the parking was on the left and Patty thought it was the right. She was in the right lane and now we had lots of traffic. It was on the left and I got her to stop traffic by pushing her nose through which caused unhappy people but finally, oh finally, we got to the parking garage. What a relief. We both relieved, let go of our tension and were off to have a great time.
We found the handicapped parking and Patty put together the chair without a hitch. Now I had to run after her to keep up. We were off to the Hard Rock Café. Patty saw that there wasn’t a line for her shirts so got them and I stood in line for the Café. Once Patty was finished with buying the shirts she zipped around to the front of the line and we found the manager. He ushered us in and put us at the head of the list. We were able to wait where the ushers worked though I, of course, needed the bathroom. Off I went. There was a line and only 2 stalls for the whole restaurant. A waitress was in line so I let her go first since I knew she really needed to work and serve.
I was walking back to our waiting spot when I saw waving of hands where both Patty and the manager were waving, we already had our seat. What great service and how nice to be able to sit. It was really hot outside and I was glad that it was so cool. Then I heard the music. A rock station was quite loud though I was determined I would have a grand meal no matter what. I found it not to be too bad when they weren’t talking.
Patty too, didn’t like the music so loud but was so grateful we had a place to sit. We had a great dinner though they didn’t bring Patty water fast enough. She drank a lot and we finally would ask anyone around for water. Patty really wanted to stay until we could get into the stadium but I felt bad that there were so many waiting that couldn’t eat yet. The music was so loud that it was hurting my ears and giving me a headache so I finally got Patty to go. Now there was difficulty getting our waitress to get our check. I walked around and soon she came and all was in order.
Now the line for the bathroom was really long so we had a longer wait but then that was ok since we needed to wait anyway and Patty was in her chair. Once we were out of the bathroom we were whisked off by one of the guards and shown exactly where our seats were. They were way down from the top which were really good seats but it meant that Patty would need to walk a long way down. We asked the attendant if we could stay where Patty could sit right in her chair and we could be right up on top. She said yes until the people that had those seats came. I just knew all would be fine and we’d be able to keep the seats. The concert started and we were having such a grand wonderful time. We were in perfect seats and we really enjoyed them. About 45 minutes into the concert the people came to claim their seats and we gave them our seats. They were very happy since they were a lot closer and we so wonderfully ecstatic that we could keep ours.
The concert was awesome and we enjoyed it so much. All of the issues getting there and eating were gone and wonderful enjoyment of seeing an artist that was so into his fans. Paul played, sang and entertained us until way after 11. I’ve never seen anyone give so much to an audience. At the end they kept on having encores. It was a wonderful time. The music in the stadium wasn’t as loud as the music in the Café. I took pictures though they seemed to be a lot of the same. It really was different and a lot of fun. We had fireworks and Paul played the piano and different instruments and we heard all of the great songs the Beatles sang so long ago. The stadium was filled and Paul was staying another night since so many wanted to hear him.
And now we have the trip home.
Patty and I waited until our section got out so we could go to the bathroom and then head out to the car. I was so glad that Patty had her chair since it took time just getting to the bathroom which was another wait. I’m so glad I can wait today and not be in a rush that would go nowhere.
We saw that next time we could pay for our parking ticket before so that would be one less thing to do when the concert was over and then once we had the chair in the car the attendant stopped traffic so we could pull out. It took about ½ hour to get out of the immediate concert traffic and then we turned left to go to the GW bridge. A big mistake!!
We went about 1 mile and all stopped. Traffic wasn’t moving and we could see people on the right pulling in front of 2 cars that were from out of state and didn’t know how to keep their place in line. I was tired it was now after midnight. I tried figuring out my feelings about everything and keeping Patty calm since she wanted to get upset but could see the uselessness in it. We had, had such a wonderful time we didn’t want to wreck it by getting upset. Finally I got out of the car that wouldn’t cross the intersection and saw that it was futile because the traffic on the other side was 3 or 4 cars wide trying to squeeze down into 1. Patty finally pulled out and we went around everything. As long as we didn’t have to wait any longer, we were happy.
We found the Major Degan and it was jammed to so we decided to go back the other way that didn’t have traffic and see if we could get across the GW Bridge. We did and there was no traffic. We did see the reason for the other traffic and that was that the lower deck of the bridge only had 1 lane open. I was so glad that we finally got around everything but now I had to go to the bathroom quickly. As we got onto Route 4 I saw a Best Western and had Patty stop. With my urgent look the night attendant opened the door and let me use his bathroom. What a relief and blessing. I knew I was on the other side of the bridge and had a safe wonderful ride home.
As I look back on my experience I find there are many lessons I learned. It’s wonderful going to an event with a handicapped person. You do get preferential treatment. Always make sure you know where your parking is so there’s no confusion and the drive is a lot easier. Double check the traffic issues and plan alternate routes to get back out of the city. Make sure the place you’re eating place is quiet for a peaceful dinner. Don’t stay in traffic get out and go another way. Just driving around is a lot better on the nerves than not knowing how long you’ll be stuck. We would have been stuck for hours which really would have been disastrous to my body functions.
The best lesson of all is though things may not go right but the enjoyment of friendship and a wonderful concert is so worth all of the little mishaps along the way.
