From the lights to the abundance of taxis, the ultimate shopping experiences, and the flocks of people from all over the planet, there is one place that holds all these descriptions.
New York City.
An iconic community known all over the world for music, travel, film, fashion, art, politics, anything you could name, NYC has a superior role somewhere within the category.
You may be asking yourself, "How does a small town girl from North Carolina be captivated by a crowded, smug filled, city". The answer is: I don't know. I don't know whether it's the fame, hustle and bustle, or the delicious take out food. Is it the shopping or Broadway? Or the never-ending scene at Times Square? Well, let me start from the beginning.
My first vivid memory of New York was reading the book "Eloise" as a child.
Eloise, her famous bow, imagination, and her adventure at the Plaza Hotel stuck with me. The first time I got to visit New York was in the seventh grade. I remember tracking down the Plaza Hotel. From "Home Alone" and Marilyn Monroe to my fondest childhood book, it held so much history and meaning. I soon realized that everywhere I turned, there was a landmark, place, or person I felt close with.
New York is not just a travel destination but a feeling.
The rumble of the subway under the sidewalk and the shuffle of people on the streets add to many more emotional pieces of NYC's heartbeat. There's no wonder why so many movies, happy endings, and collections of art are inspired and take place at this location. This urban kingdom impacts all of us, whether we realize it or not. Hosting the largest LGBTQ awareness population, being the gateway to the U.S. for foreigners, and remaining a symbol for freedom across Earth, are just some examples of the influence this 304.6 mi² metropolis has on each and every human being.
Standing in the middle of Times Square, breathing it all in, I knew this city that never sleeps would one day be my home. Yes, it will be home. Maybe for two months, maybe for 50 years. Who knows? The Big Apple is a place full of opportunity, perfectly symbolizing "The American Dream". There is no set way to define a "New Yorker" because no two people are the same. Diversity and hope swim through the avenues. Waking up every day knowing that I live in a place where literally everything exists, reality is rooted, and knowing I can achieve anything, has got to be the best feeling in the world.
New York City is the best feeling in the world.
