New York, New York
Bleary-eyed and wonderstruck, we pulled into a gray New York City this morning on possibly the most precarious coach bus in Washington DC. But we made it and that's all that matters. However, one question remained unanswered: now what? Yes, me and five other people ventured to the Big Apple and got there without a clue in the world where to begin...but there's where the adventure lies, right?
First things first: FOOD. We disappeared into a Dunkin Donuts for coffee before acquiring a table at Cafe Petisca, a super chill little place with really great breakfast food. There, we talked and mused and came up with a vague outline of our day, while I ventured to the bathroom to clean my teeth and brush my hair (bus rides are hard on a girl, I gotta say). And then we took off!
Wall Street was our actual destination, however, we just took the misty skied scenic route. Turning down Wall Street, we immediately began craning our heads for a peek at the famed Stock Exchange, which we eventually happened across, along with a horde of Asian tourists climbing atop a statue of George Washington, apparently their hero of the day. When down the corridor of skyscrapers stood a century old masterpiece of craftsmanship, beautiful not only in structure but in quiet grace and soulful significance to the teeming city. It was Trinity Church, famous not only for being the oldest parish in NYC (founded in 1697) but also for the iconic photos taken after the 9/11 attacks, with its timeless cemetery covered in ash while citizens took refuge inside its sacred walls. Truly moving.
George's statue where he was sworn in as President
Reminders of that fateful September day are hidden everywhere throughout the city, but one place that they are in stark view is at the site of destruction - Ground Zero. Therefore, it was only fitting that a short walk from the safety of the church was the most moving memorial I've experienced. And that's exactly what it was - something you experience down to your soul, not something you merely see with your eyes. The reflecting pools pouring into each other, seemingly with no end is the perfect representation of how the attacks penetrated the heart of America, leaving a wound that will never fully heal. Sure, it may very well become easier to handle with time, yet just as the names of each individual life that was lost and organization that helped rescue lives amid the rubble is etched in the stone of the memorial, Americas heart has been forever marked by the attacks that changed our country and brought us together, strong and one. It made me even more proud to be an American, proven by the tears pooled in my eyes. Such an incredible testament to those men and women lost.
Leaving more humbled than before, we crossed the street, and after a few inquiries, decided to eat lunch at a food court nearby. Quite upscale, it was even equipped with a full Parisian marketplace, something you all KNOW I relished in! I must say, that Nutella crepe, however, still wasn't quite as tasty as the food trucks on the streets of Paris. But beggars can't be choosers, eh?
Finally deciding on another plan, we chose to make our way back to Chinatown to find our home for the night, courtesy of Airbnb. So I can FINALLY say I've seen the inside (and stayed!) in my first NYC apartment! So neat and so small, about the size of my college apartment in Cookeville. But the Kazakastanian was super nice and the apartment clean and ready for six young people to stay and enjoy the city. Which is certainly what we've done.
After walking around little Italy, we hung out and cooled off in our place for a couple hours, then decided to head to Rockefeller Plaza and Times Square to get a taste of the Big City at night. The lights, the overwhelming bright lights, were extra glorious tonight, especially in our starry eyed wonder. It doesn't matter how many times you visit a city like this, does it? Each time it offers something new. For me, this time, it was wonder. This entire island is an extraordinary and beautiful mystery to me, one that is wrapped in sparkling paper to be unveiled a piece at a time. Wonderfully exciting.
Our beautiful tri-star flying in Rockefeller Plaza!
After a slice of Famous Rays Pizza (mine AND Tony Starks favorite!) we made our way back to the Brooklyn Bridge, although this time, instead of looking at it from below, we chose to walk across it. And what a perfect decision that was, too! We, I truly believe, got the best view we could have of the skyline, with the Freedom Tower in the middle framed by the Statue of Liberty on the left and the Empire State Building on the right. Such a sight, so perfect and so uniquely American.
Just look. You could describe the perfect city view and it wouldn't come anywhere near this
Our endless day finally seems to have come to an end, with midnight creeping up on me. I feel like it's been three days since I arrived in DC, and it's only been 24 hours. Hopefully, my next few weeks will be as fulfilling and exciting as the first hours. For now, though, good night! For though I may be in "the city that never sleeps," this girl needs her beauty rest <3
Comments
Post a Comment