Posted by Noe on December 31st, 2024.
Felt it is important to document the New York experience.
In a nutshell, i was overwhelmed -pardon the lapses in the following recollection. There was just too much to take in: sights, sounds, history, culture in two days 29-30December 2024.
Big city filled with a lot of people on the streets, everyone anticipating the New Year festivities.
We could barely walk together because of the crowds. In a nutshell I was overwhelmed not just by the experience but also with pain as my feet were overwhelmed too due to much walking about. With me were college chums Alex,Jo(and their son Aaron),Emil,Nenette. Emil and Nette were our hosts as they were NY denizens, having lived and worked in the place for a long time – they are great guides and narrators.
We had coffee waiting for Emil at Wendy’s just across Macy’s where we met a Donald Trump supporter who inquired if we were Filipinos. Engaged the old lady into interesting conversation, who described American society as Republic(an)and not Democrat(ic).
Amazed at how the World Trade Center buildings were built and awed by the twisted giant metal structures after it fell. In place where the two towers were are now giant memorial pools on the north and south tower’s footprints. Many lives were lost during the tragedy and incredible national effort to bring those responsible specifically, Bin Laden, to justice during Obama’s presidency.
For lunch, our group enjoyed Biryani at an Indian resto near the World Trade Center area. From there we walked about the Madison Square Garden Arena which hosted iconic past boxing and basketball events. We lounged within the Oculus station where were joined by Emil and Nenette.
Stepped into St Patrick Cathedral took in the sights of towering buildings in the area includin’g the gigantic Louis Vuitton luggage of a building and gawking at Trump tower.
We took pics of the iconic Empire State building from a distance. We trudged through the entertainment area – a place to watch broadway shows and concerts. Times square is filled with people anticipating the New Year activities mostly tourists on foot like us. Lots of people snapping pics and pausing for street performers including a nude cowboy on his underwear singing and braving the cold;)
The lights and signs are all over the buildings flashing advertizements and dazzling our eyes. The police were busy erecting barriers and the performance main stage being built for the dropping of the year’s midnight ball. We passed by TKTSKTSS kiosk where lots of people que to buy tickets for broadway shows.
We went to see the Rock(efeller) building to see the giant Xmas tree below which was the skating rink. Took time to wait for pics at the point overlooking the place. We sat down to rest beside the fountain prior to walking beside the southeast corner of Central Park.
We proceeded to the Hudson Yards settling in Little Spain where Nette joined us for lunch. It was just below the High Line – a repurposed elevated train tracks into a promenade. We had turns for pics in front of glass building with a small base. Alex was my crutches as my feet already gave way at this point.
We slowly trudged back to the Moynihan Train station where we commuted back to Newark Penn station to complete our journey. Alex and Jo were later picked up by son Aaron at the station where i also waited for my homeward bound bus to Toronto.
We took in a lot of NY in just two days. There was no strength left for other sights like Liberty, Ellis and Roosevelt islands and the Manhattan bridge crossing to Brooklyn. No splurging on NY pizza and street hot dogs or pirogies paellas and tapas.
These will be for another trip in the future. As for me, I could no longer walk upon reaching downtown Toronto so i took a taxi home instead of communing – Ika nga, go to New York City when looking for pain – foot pain!!!
Thanks Happy New Year 2025 everyone 🙂