This past November, I had the pleasure of visiting the city of all cities, New York. Ever since I was eight years old and watched the premier of the Christmas movie ELF, this place has been a dream of mine. Yes, I wanted to jump on the mattresses at Gimbles, ice skate through the Rockefeller center and take the Subway to Brooklyn. I idolized this city for everything that it stands for. The fashion, the food, the confidence within and throughout every aspect. From Greenwich Village to the Brooklyn Bridge, New York has its shit together. I saw it, I felt it, and New York, you made me believe in it.
Coming from a city that’s size amounts to the length of 9th Avenue in THE city, I was overwhelmed. Immediately. I was immediately overwhelmed by the excess amount of people, the horns that continue to honk through the bumper to bumper traffic and the lights with only one switch—- On. I was on sensory overload. The smells of the Amish bakery to the fresh flowers that could be found on every damn corner. The flash of face after face that take no time to stop between the crosswalks. The crisp November air that nipped my nose and fingertips. It was a lot to take in.
Looking back at it, I am trying to remember the details, decipher them and put them together in my mind.
When you are in it, it is truly a beautiful symphony of chaos.
This city is more like a country within ours.
There is no arguing that there is no place like it in The United States. Where else in this country can one find an Ethiopian dinner to a slice of pizza 24 hours throughout the day. No where. Would you like Chinese take out? Well there are 3 places within a 10 mile radius that will deliver to your door. In the mood for a little pick-me-up. Walk over one block and you’ll find the Starbucks, and the next one, another and the next one, guess what you’ll find.
Honestly, the United States should be thankful for NYC for keeping the obesity rate down because of its large contribution to the U.S. ’s population and the pure inability to gain weight in a city where you walk. Just walk. Keep walking and take the Subway 4/10 times because in all reality it would be faster to just walk. Where else can you basically get to everything within walking distance? If you really wanted to you could even walk or rent a city bike and cross the way to Brooklyn. You can get to a whole other damn island at the leisure of your very own footsteps.
No other city is designed so craft fully to where you can never truly get “lost.” You may feel lost, but baby you are not lost. If you can count, you cannot get lost in this city.
In a city so immense and powerful it is easy to feel lost. If you find yourself in this situation, the city still has your back. The mental well being of its citizens is a priority. Yoga in the park, get pampered at one of the many spas along the streets or simple chill on one of the many rooftops and look up.
In the mood to ground yourself once again? There is a park expanding right in the middle of the city. Take off your shoes and let the process begin. Follow the trails to Central Park North to Central Park South.
Or are you feeling the need for the sound of waves? The Hamptons is the summer answer my friend. Have an extra cheeky day at the beach and treat yourself to some bubbly while you play in the waves. Go to dinner feeling sun kissed, warm and rejuvenated.
The fact is, if you find yourself within the city, towering them all you will find that it lit a light within you without an OFF switch.
