Exploring The Concrete Jungle!

The main thing that I will always remember about my first time in New York City is that it was cold as all get out.  It was 14 degrees but it felt like a million below zero. As soon as the plane landed I could see snow everywhere. It's been seven years since I've seen snow, so I think I concentrated more on that thought than the fact that snow equals cold.

It didn't really hit me how cold it was until I just walked out of the airport and across the street to the Atrain station. That short five minute walk turned my cheeks into icicles.

Getting around New York was super easy with the help of the subway. Little did I know, my day in New York completely prepared me for the Milan subway.  I took the Atrain to Jamaica station and from there, the E train to 42nd street and Port Authority. Once I got off the train there, it was only a short walk to Time Square.  

It has always been a huge dream of mine to see Time Square in person. It was emotional when I finally did. New York as a whole is just a city full of surprises and wonder and all I want is to be apart of that. Time Square is a place I know well from watching years of Dick Clark's Rocking New Years Eve and it is a high priority goal for me to be in the square to see the ball drop in person.  But at the time, I was just happy with seeing the square.  It was everything I imagined it would be. I looked for jumbo trons featuring images that I had only seen before on the internet or in magazines. Images such as Beyonce's halftime performance ad:

Or images featuring ads for the new season of Smash:

Time Square was absolutely a sight to see.  There were people everywhere. Many of whom, were lining up to get discount tickets for Broadway shows (believe me when I say that one day I will see The Lion King Musical on Broadway and when I do, my life will be complete). But time was short and I had other things I wanted to see. 

My next stop was Ground Zero.  It was so surreal to see the two fountains that are basically footprints of where the twin towers stood.  I still remember where I was when I first heard of what happened, Mr. Ridge's 4th grade math class at Lincoln Elementary School, and since then I have had trouble accepting the fact that something like this could happen anywhere in the world. If the fountains in ground zero didn't make this historic moment a reality for me, then it was definitely the massive, airplane type, security check beforehand that did it.  Either way, it was an honor to be there and witness it.

The last stop on my must see list was the statue of liberty. But, because my time was running low, and I couldn't withstand the cold ( my leggings, K-swiss, and my small jacket were not doing the job of keeping me warm), I settled for walking from Ground Zero to Battery Park.  From Battery Park, there is a decent view of the Statue of Liberty.  My first thought when I saw it was..."is that all there is?".  I always thought the Statue of Liberty was this massive sized landmark, but from where I was standing it was very small.  It was still a dream come true to see, just not what I expected.  

                                     

Sadly, I was unable to visit Central Park or even have a hot dog from a street vendor. I'm not worried though. On my return from Milan in June, I have another six hour layover in New York and hopefully during the summer it will be easier to travel around the city.

It's safe to say that this was not my last trip to New York. This city and I have a long and beautiful relationship stretched out before us.  I already feel so blessed from the time we've had thus far. 

Thank you for sharing in this Blessing with me!

Forever yours,

~Ms. JasmineMaree