This spring break, I had the opportunity to take my first vacation sans any type of parental unit. I wasn't traveling for a school or university-sanctioned event, and I didn't have a parent picking and choosing what I did or didn't do. I spent a wonderful four days and three nights in New York City with my best friend -- we discovered our budding senses of freedom and "The City That Never Sleeps."
Plane, train, subway, oh my!
It took a total of five hours to travel to our hotel in the city, from start to finish, and I speak for both my travel partner and me when I say that this was the most anticipatory stressful aspect of this trip. She hates plane rides and I myself don't have such a solid sense of direction. Pair this with a time-sensitive and chaotic environment, and it almost spelled disaster before our vacation officially began!
The lesson I learned: Once the travel was finished, and I was sitting comfortably on my hotel bed, I realized that I could effectively lead my own way in a new and confusing environment without having to rely on an adult to give me direction.
Home sweet hotel.
The lesson I learned: Sometimes I don't have everything figured out, no matter how much planning I try to do beforehand. Having to rely on my travel partner to bail me out of a potentially dangerous situation reaffirmed that I don't need to handle everything on my own.
What to do, what to do...
Our main attractions were Central Park, the Empire State Building, and Strand Bookstore, pictured above.
The best part about traveling with a person that is like-minded to you is that you understand your vacation styles. I love my parents, honest to God, but all they want to do during trips is go, go, go! Thankfully, both my travel partner and I agreed that after seven hours of walking through the city each day all we wanted to do was eat Chipotle Mexican Grill in bed and watch TV; in other words, relax.
The lesson I learned: It's perfectly alright to stay in the hotel during a vacation and simply chill out, regardless of the money you spent to get there if it means you're enjoying yourself. Looking back on this trip some of my best memories will be the ones spent laughing and eating snacks while trying not to get crumbs on the comforter. And that's OK!
Good eats!
Caffeine, bagels and the like were in plentiful supply to keep us up and moving throughout our trip. We did have plenty of vegetables and whole grains, and we kept hydrated, but we definitely didn't shy away from delicious treats when we wanted them! Our favorite find from this trip was Ess-A-Bagel on 3rd Ave. With a dozen bagel varieties with cream cheese toppings varying from chocolate chip to salmon with cheddar, do yourself a favor and check them out the next time you're in the city. Your taste-buds will thank you!
The lesson I learned: I am able to effectively balance my diet on my own while on vacation, even with the plethora of delicious snacks and treats around me. I can have my cake and eat my broccoli, too!
Overall, I wouldn't trade my spring break vacation for the world.
Thank you, to my parents for allowing me to go on my first vacation without them. Thank you, to my travel partner for putting up with my constant questions and my almost leaving us hotel-less.
And thank you, New York City, for teaching me new lessons about myself.
