New York had been flashing bright in my bucket list for too long. Like a neon sign blinding me through closed shutters. Like a siren call. A magnetic lighthouse. So when I turned 29 and got to jump on a plane, the wait was finally over. F*** IT, LET’S GO TO NEW YORK.
A city that echoes Woody Allen’s characters. Sex and the city. The Godfather. Friends. Stereotypes and yet so true in New York. A city where everything seems possible. So much to do and not enough time to do it. To see, to grasp, to smell. It’s ever moving. Never sleeping.
We had only four days to eat the apple. To wander the streets of Soho and Greenwich. Strut in busy Midtown. Climb on the high line for an aerial escape. Sip drinks on rooftops. See the cool kidz in Meatpacking. Check out the bohemian Brooklyn scene. Grab a burger or three. Lie down in Central Park and walk on bridges.
Stayed in the Hyatt Herald Square, right next to the Empire State. I really recommend it. Central. Super nice staff and quite the view…
Their rooftop bar wasn’t half bad either. Nice sunset atmosphere. Reading the news and hear the chitchat.
The view from the Empire State is really something. We left it for the last day, which I kind of liked. Because we recognised the places we had been to, and we were mentally sewing the pieces of the map together. We bought the normal tickets, and I’d say it’s ok if you’re not in a rush but would recommend paying the extra 20$ if you want to go up around Sunset. It gets crowded.
We changed plans constantly, feeling the temperature of our whims. We wandered the streets aimlessly, just taking in the characters, listening to the buildings and recharging the batteries. We walked down Broadway and crossed dancers taking a smoke pause from rehearsal. Met the nonchalant hipster. The enthusiastic tourist crowds. The posh. The homeless.
We went to Ground Zero and were chilled to our spine. The void. The names. The solemn awe. The place is buoyant but you can feel the gravity, the shadows of horror.
We continued down to Pier A for a sunset snack. Mingled with the locals. And indulged in some beer IPA and sweet potato fries.
A burger joint I would recommend: Five Napkin. More restaurant-y than your average fast food, but so succulent and not that pricey compared to Five Guys or Shake Shack. I had the one with cheddar, bacon and extra guacamole. Perfect buns, juicy meat. Ohmygodness dripping all over you.
Up next, I’ll tell you about the High Line, Meatpacking and the surroundings.
Anita
