When you fall in love, you know it. There is the thrill, the famed butterflies and silly smiles, the constant thought of the other. When you fall in love with a place? Well, it hits you hard. You might not smile silly but the butterflies will come right in, without asking. At least that’s what happened to me when I decided to get a bite of the Big Apple.
New York is an amazing city. It is not home of Holden Caulfield or Holly Golightly anymore but it still has its spark. Though it is sometimes hidden in the tons of custom tailored suits rushing through the streets of the Empire state.
To have a morning run in Central park, then grab one coffee to go and start pursuing your dream career? Doesn’t it sound appealing? Visit some of the millions of exhibits after your work is done, have a chilled beer with friends in one of the upcoming Brooklyn breweries and just breath the city in. Of course, I know, the reality might turn out a lot different, but let me dream, hey?
I have fallen for New York years before this trip happened. Through the numerous movies, series and books and their main characters I’ve realized this is the place I’ve got to see. And when I wandered through the streets I saw where Mr. Big ran away from his wedding in front of the New York Public Library, where Carrie walked down the stairs of her own apartment, I felt amazed by the Empire State Building as Ted Mosby did and was hoping to find Chuck Bass waiting for me upstairs (okay, I watch a lot of American shows). I wandered through Little Italy like Marshall Eriksen, gazed at the staircase where Audrey Hepburn sang Moon river so deeply, and well, I woke up in the city that doesn’t sleep. To hear a street musician perform Sinatra there was just a cherry on the top of an awesome travel cake.
And the views. Oh, the views! If I see a panorama so breathtaking like the one from the Empire state building, I can stay forever, and I almost did. The huge skyscrapers rising to the clouds above, quick yellow cabs down under me, calm water of the surrounding rivers and all this touched by the beautiful colours of the upcoming sunset. It couldn’t get any better.
When I felt tired of the rush of the big city I could find myself a perfect getaway and it was not just Central Park, though it is an amazing place as well. Ever heard of the High line park? Old railway rebuilt as a park was one of the most surprising places I’ve visited in the New York City. Lots of green plants, great view to
the city from a different angle and art pieces or street performers along the way.
The romantic soul in me got excited on the ferry to Staten Island (which is free, yay), passing by the Statue of Liberty and offering unbelievably perfect view to the buildings of Manhattan. If I wasn’t in love until this point, the panorama here would steal my heart away.
And the September 11th Memorial. Hauntingly beautiful place where all you can do is stand in silence and pay a tribute. The building of One World Trade Center makes a majestic reminiscence, one you have to see.
Sesame chicken in Chinatown, special vegan meals or a simple piece of pizza few steps from the Empire State Building. Food lover like me can find paradise in the city of endless possibilities.
There are millions of other places to see and things to do in the city of lights. I might just stop right here because you probably get the point. I love New York. It was love at first sight and it will be a thing for a lifetime. The feeling I got when simply walking through the streets in there is one I will never forget. If you are still wondering, just go and get out there. It doesn’t have to be New York for you but once you feel the glory of travelling, you will never stop.
