New York, I Love You

Even in my departure, I knew that I would be back, drawn back once again to the breathtaking views of the city stretched out in every direction, casting light and shadows that made time stop.

It was a crisp sunny afternoon in New York City. The Big Apple. The magnificent concrete and glass island of mystery. Its was one of those magical, special days. The type of day that opened the city up to a flurry of activity where locals and tourists alike just had to be outside to capture their moment. I was one of those participants, guilty as charged, of grabbing my time in the sunlit center of the concrete jungle. I casually perched on a bench at Rockefeller Center, one of my favorite spots in the city for people watching. I leaned back on my seat taking in the flurry of activity around me as I curled my hands around my Blue Bottle cappuccino warming my fingers. I popped the lid off of my cup letting the bittersweet aroma of the espresso slowly waft up into my nostrils, the scent of coffee and milk foam combined to forge a luxurious and fragrant caramelized jolt. I took a long, slow sip gazing through the sea of activity unfolding in front of me. From tourists snapping selfies, flashing peace signs with the iconic Prometheus statue in their background, to hurried businessmen and women rushing to their next meeting, to kids running circles around their parents all struggling to corral their excitement to get that one perfect family photo. It was a glorious spectacle of site, sound and motion as blurred energy hummed steadily through the city.

The street performers were out in their usual flair all working to entertain hordes of tourists for tips as some people paused to enjoy the spectacle while others hurried by oblivious to the acrobatics that were unfolding before their very eyes. A group of breakdancers dressed in flashy, colorful clothes all selected to match, yet still gain instant attention, had set up their portable boombox and were putting on an impressive show, drawing a crowd of onlookers. Their moves were fluid and electrifying, each dancer feeding off the energy of the others. I watched mesmerized as they spun, flipped, and popped to the pulsing beat growing out the street traffic as cars drove by, unaware of the public display of talent and energy.

I finished the last drops of my coffee tilting the cup upwards pulling the fluffy dollops of foam on my tongue. I stood up stretching my legs, ready to continue my exploration of the city on foot. While this entire city is a perfect park bench ready to provide entertainment for all to enjoy, serving up views in every direction, it’s also a place meant for walking. For strolling. For moving. I meandered down 5th Avenue, one of the most iconic streets in New York lined with luxury shops, points of interest and surrounded by towering skyscrapers. The crescendo of honking taxis and the chatter of tourists filled the air as I leisurely glided across the pavement. I was in my own world taking in the sights and sounds around me, completely oblivious to the chatter, the noise, the constant churning motion. It was as if I was standing in a moving painting, full of characters, packed with color and screaming of beauty as the world turned around me like a cyclone, and I was standing in the eye of the storm greeting every passing moment with sheer enjoyment and glee.

I marveled at the way one city, within a single square block could gather and put so many experiences on full display. The creation was an experience so unique and so enjoyable that it couldn’t be replicated anywhere else. I paused, peeking into some of the storefronts, admiring the glitz and glamour of the designer clothes and jewelry on display. But even with the artful displays in the windows and the amazing architecture that filled my view, it was the people who truly captivated me. A group of teenagers with brightly colored hair passed by me animatedly laughing and discussing the latest TikTok video trending. A couple holding hands, leisurely strolling, enjoying a moment in time and stealing kisses, acting as if the city was empty, blissfully unaware that crowds were parting, just for them to pass. A man walking his dog, gazing at his mobile phone screen with a big grin on his face, quickly passed by me, rushing through the packed sidewalk, the leash pulled tight making me wonder who was taking whom for a walk. Each person had their own story, their own unique place in this electrifying city. Each moment, every motion was chaos, random, methodical, unusual, unique, similar and calculated all at the same time.

It's a life changing feeling to walk through this immense manmade canyon that surrounds you at every step. Glass, stone, pavement, metal and plastic all enveloped me making me feel forever removed from nature. Walking here, in the heart of this towering fabricated jungle, you could feel the towering buildings stretching out to infinity in front of you. And suddenly, when I felt like the glass and stone will forever dominate my view, I arrived at Bryant Park, a peaceful oasis nestled in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The greenery and fountains provided a welcome respite from the noisy streets packed with people and cars all running to their unknown destinations. Time seemed to slow down and almost stop as I passed an invisible barrier that shielded the park from its urban housing. I found a spot on a bench and sat down watching as children played in the grass, students and couples strolled arm in arm, friends took in an afternoon conversation and snack and others just relaxed with a good book taking in the white noise of the city around them.

I took in my surroundings, resting from my walk but ever the consistent tourist. I reflected on the beauty and complexity of this city. From the high-powered executives to the street performers, from the designer stores to the peaceful parks. This city had something for everyone. For a brief moment in time I settled onto my bench alone with my thoughts drawn to the fascinating mix of people surrounding me. To my left a group of elderly ladies decked out in their Sunday best chatted away animatedly about their weekend plans and grand parenting duties while to my right, a gaggle of businessmen in sleek suits were engrossed in their phones, sometimes pausing to decline an incoming call or checking a quick email or text message in-between rushed conversations. A few feet away a young couple whispered sweet nothings to each other, blissfully unaware of the world spinning around them. Every view was astounding in every direction no matter where I turned. All the players set the stage for a production of life that was moving, incredible yet completely solitary.

I sat on that bench watching the world fly by like a slow moving scene from a passing camera, feeling a sense of awe at the sheer diversity of life that surrounded me. It was like a living, breathing tapestry of humanity each thread unique and yet woven together inextricably. It was a symphony of life, each with its own movement, all working in harmony yet completely unaware of any other accompaniments. Letting the greenery of this amazing outdoor park wash over me, I rose from my bench and began to make my way down 5th Avenue again towards the towering silhouette of the Empire State Building.

The rapid movement of the city surrounded me as I dodged past tourists snapping pictures and locals rushing to their next appointments. Amidst the chaos there was a sense of purpose and energy that was undeniably infectious. It was like being swept up in a whirlwind of motion, color, sound and a never-ending dance. I approached the Empire State Building marveling at its imposing height rising up like a giant amongst the crowded streets below. It was a symbol of the city's ambition and drive, a testament to what could be achieved through sheer determination and grit. The great building stood the test of time, changing seasons, shifting politics and perched resolute bearing witness to a sea of changes flooding the neighborhoods that it towered over. I stood there taking in the view feeling a sense of kinship with the city and its people. New York City was a place where anything was possible, where the only limit was the one you placed upon yourself. With a smile pulled softly across my face and a renewed sense of purpose in my step and destination, I entered making my way up its many stories.

The Empire State Building was a timeless staple, a reminder of human ingenuity and the desire to build something greater and more magnificent. It was a towering behemoth of steel and concrete, piercing the sky of New York City like a spear, with an observation deck perched high above the teeming streets below that offers a breathtaking vista of the city that never sleeps. The sun began to slip below the horizon casting the sky in shades of fiery red and orange while I casually took the rapid ascent to the very top. The elevator ride was dizzying as I hurtled upwards at breakneck speeds, the city quickly falling away beneath me. When the doors opened I stepped out onto the observation deck and was immediately struck by the sheer scale of the view before me. Skyscrapers stretch out in every direction like steel giants standing sentinel over the busy streets below. The Hudson River glittered in the distance, a ribbon of silver snaking its way through the jagged concrete jungle.

Taking in the breathtaking view that spread out before me, the observation deck was my platform to witness the city stretch out across the distant horizon, a sea of lights and shadows that seemed to go on forever. Making my way to the edge of the deck, looking out over the city, the sun began to slowly dip below the horizon mockingly speeding up in its arching descent. The sky turned a deep shade of orange and pink painting the buildings and streets below in a warm golden glow. I inhaled the view letting the disappearing light of the day dance across my face. It's moments like this that made me feel that time seemed to stop ever so briefly, just for me, to allow me the solitary enjoyment of one moment of beauty and wonder that exists in the world, before suddenly starting back up again.

I slowly blinked, and missed the sudden transition as the sky exploded in a riot of color. The city took on a magical and almost otherworldly quality. The buildings seemed to glow with an inner light as if the very soul of New York was being revealed before my eyes. I watched as the sun slinked lower and lower casting long shadows across the city feeling an almost primal sense of awe wash over me. As if on cue from an unseen timer, some light switch sitting at the ready, some person sitting with their finger on the dial in a hidden location, the lights of the city flickered to life, a sea of twinkling stars spreading out across the horizon. The Empire State Building itself transformed, bathed in a warm golden glow that seems to emanate from deep within. I stood there transfixed for what seems like hours drinking in the view and the atmosphere and the sheer majesty of this wonderful place, this city where time paused just for me and all those around me sharing in this one moment of astonishment and magic.

I imagined all of the people who have stood in this very spot before me. From tourists to locals, each person came here for their own reasons seeking a moment of peace or a glimpse of something extraordinary. Some taking a moment of solitary interlude, others enjoying the company of friends and loved ones, family taking a moment of togetherness to witness the day’s end and other’s still passing a brief moment in time before making their way to their next attraction. What ever the reason may be, we all stood together, united by one glorious, brief segment in time bearing witness to a scene of sheer beauty and artful bliss.

The sounds of the city below me drifted up on the breeze, a cacophony of honking horns and distant sirens. But up here, high above the chaos, there was a sense of tranquility and peace as I stood removed far above the streets beneath my feet. I drifted, caught between the etherial and the harsh reality of the city. Stunned and overtaken by the delicate and unrepeatable view. And as the last traces of light faded from the sky shifting the heavens to a deep inky purple, I turned to make my way back down to the streets. Back to a swarming sea of life. Back to organized chaos of movement and light. Back to the blur of motion and emotion. Back to the energy and the flow.

I step into the elevator and started the descent, shifting slightly as the elevator hurtled downward. I folded my arms giving space to those standing around me who stood witness to the beauty that we, only moments ago, shared together. We descended, guarding the shared secrets that we now took with us as we departed. Watching the sunset from the top of the Empire State Building is yet another reminder of the magic and wonder that can be found in even the busiest and most chaotic of places. I made my way back down and out to the busy sidewalk, to the glorious randomness of the streets. Stepping out into the crowd, I buttoned my jacket with a deep sense of melancholy hanging on my heart at once again having to leave this magical place behind. But even in my departure, I also knew that I would be back, drawn back once again to the siren song of the Empire State Building, to the breathtaking views of the city stretched out in every direction, to casting light and shadows that made time stop for all who took part, to a vantage like Mount Olympus, to stand far removed from the canyon floors below as serenity and beauty washed over me in the moments between day and night. One thing held close. One thought always prevailed. One feeling forever stayed true. One emotion always overtook me every time I was here. New York, I love you. I carry you forever in my heart.