The city in which everything happens. Most of television, most of cinema, and all of the excitement. I wanted to see this city all my life. I had heard about it from so many people and almost felt its vibrance through so many other virtual experiences, I had to see it.
The sister went to see it while my school had just started, she came back with a non-stop rant about how she loved it and more so about how I would love it.
So it was decided. My first break, coinciding with christmas had to be spent in NYC.
Stoic plans were made, the ticket purchased(the first ticket I bought without a help of a ticket executive) many of these firsts were to follow, but this was a great start up for my excitement.
Close family friends lived in manhattan and I was thrilled to be spending time with family, after so long.
So NYC, here I came.
I spent the first day walking the streets and thought of it as a warm up, little did I know I would want to walk on these streets everyday, well-entertained. I always, somehow found my way. It was a first timer for me, especially since I was so used to my pathetic sense of direction. A part of my driving routine back home included rolling down windows and asking cabs for directions.
In New York I never got lost, at times I even showed directions to some tourists. I was surprising myself everyday.
Now the roads were well-learnt. I had to soon learn to take on the Subway. The sister as talented as Columbus warned me it was difficult and not half as easy as the London tube that both of us had mastered over just two days.
So I was super scared, I tried memorizing the map but in vain. With extreme courage one day I decided to tide over geographic phobias and take on the Sub. So I did. Yes initially I stuck to only one line but after a while kept changing trains with super ease.
This was a dream come true couple that with bright Christmas lights all around and the humungous sales on my favorite brands. I was living the dream!
Dad had pulled a John Lennon and said you would be more excited to see NYC in Christmas than Jesus on Christmas.
I loved it. Walking the streets alone, discovering museums, spending hours in trial rooms, all of it.
Another thing about NYC’s vibrant character that I absolutely related with was the blaahness of New Yorkers.
People had loud and I mean loud conversations carelessly not bothering if someone judged them about it.
Yes there were girls dressed as super models but there was a lot of casualty too, and not just in dressing but in everything.
I might sound like a little child besotted with the big city lights , but guess what, I was!
Being back to the peaceful beach felt like going back into a spiritual trance after a life full of speed.
For now I am happy to be enjoying the season in the sun but will always cherish the first city I saw all by myself, and will wait for a second encounter with it:)