JamieBLT

You can’t describe New York City in one word! What I can tell you though is that pretty much everything they say about the Big Apple is true. It is one of the most diverse, liveliest cities in the entire world with a plethora of experiences waiting for you to discover. It’s true that if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!

The most fascinating thing I’ve found about NYC is the ability to find yourself there. You can truly be anything you want. From the man in the subway playing smooth jazz, to the talented group of young men break dancing and entertaining people passing by in Central Park, the opportunities and possibilities there seem endless. Anywhere I went I noticed people creating opportunities for themselves. My two life long friends also sought opportunity in New York City. My best friend Andra lived in Brooklyn for a bit while starting her singing career, and my good friend Matthew moved from San Diego to Harlem and now works for himself. They both have amazing stories to tell and New York City is where they found themselves.

New York is a city of vast contrast. You can find yourself a place that is completely still, or you can immerse yourself in the  hustle and bustle.  I was in awe of Central Park! How did this beautiful, quiet park find itself smack dab in the middle of fast paced Manhattan? Amid the calming ponds, and amazing leaves changing colors before my eyes, I forgot for a few moments that Wall Street and Times Square were not that far away!

I’ve heard stories about how amazing the food in NYC is, and I have to tell you that hearing about it is definitely not the same as experiencing it. I did not have one bad food experience while I was there. I’ll have to dedicate another blog post solely about my favorite places to eat there because there is just so much to say ! One of my first food experiences was getting bagels in Brooklyn with my best friend. I even chanted that whilst walking down the street much to her embarrassment. I stopped to take a photo because I was so stoked about it. New York bagels > then bagels anywhere else.

The opportunity for this trip presented itself in the form of tagging along with my best friend while she had to work. Andra had a couple singing gigs to do while she was out there and invited me to come watch. Though I had the time of my life (this was the first trip I had ever went on with my best friend of 20 years), I didn’t have a lot of time to sight-see the way I usually do.  I did however drag her and Matthew out to one super touristy activity: Seeing the city from the top of Rockefeller Center. I’m so glad we did that. You get a different perspective from looking down at the city then from looking up.  It was an experience I will remember my whole life and I am glad I got to do it with people I love.

We had so much fun that we may or may not have intentionally missed our flight going home 🙂 .NYC made a huge impression on this little traveler and I will definitely be going back ! There is so much I still have to see and do there. Do you have any must see suggestions for me?