The island of Manhattan casts a charm, it really does. Every time I visit, from the first moment I see the skyline I start to smile. Yesterday I looked around the Bolt bus just to see if I was the only one. The truth is, everyone perked up, and most everyone smiled.
The energy of the island is sexy. There's an electric feeling of uplift that makes me want to stay up all night in spite of the fact that I am not a night person. It makes me want to get out and mix it up with all the people, though I'm a serious introvert. I get high on New York, I really do!
The tall buildings look to me like that energy made manifest, rising, rising, rising. I was wondering yesterday if the Indians felt that buzzy uplift or if it's more literal than energetic, an effect that occurs because of the many electrical cables running just beneath the pavement. Is the electric sexiness indigenous, or the result of the industrial revolution? Who knows?
On the subway last night, around 11:30 pm.
It's a very very special place. Only in New York are certain things possible, like a walk along the High Line, bright and cheerful, on a perfect early Autumn afternoon, followed by a drink at the Temple Bar, dark and mysterious, uber-atmospheric, with someone who traveled literally halfway round the earth to visit. In fact I was so elated all day yesterday I could hardly contain myself.
Today I'm back on the Bolt bus, headed home. Though slightly hungover (perhaps one cocktail would have been sufficient) and sleep deprived, I am still smiling. I love New York.
30 comments:
You're right; New York has it's own special energy. I absolutely love it, but it is not a place I would ever be able to live. I require a little more space and a lot more calm.
I got a kick out of Winnie the Pooh riding the subway!
Ahhh, I've never been but your description makes me want to go. Like D.C., it is architectually very interesting. GO WINNIE!
I love the postcard snaps you took; they are just the punctuation to your post.
I visited N.Y twice. The first time as we drove through, at noon, around Wall Street. The tsunami of people spilling in the streets from all sides was fearful.
The second time, as a tourist, with digs in midtown, walking everywhere, including the theaters and the restaurants that never closed. That city is on major steroids; after two days I needed my lakeview aspirin.
I'm so glad you could visit! Get some good sleep!
(How are you posting from the Bolt Bus? Do you have wireless?)
I LOVE NEW YORK!
Haven't been in too many years!
Love you and Happy 5770!
Steve YES from the Bolt bus. Wireless and plug-ins, too.
It was a fantastic visit! I'll be back.
And oh yeah, Steve and I cracked up at Winnie. That was one hulkin dude of a Winnie, too. Big. Yeah.
Hmmm. Maybe I'll give the Big Apple another try some day.
Sounds like heaven, hangover or not.
We were in Flushing Meadows the last week of August, attending the US Open which was a total trip. Did not make it into the city as we were there only 2 1/2 days. Next year, we plan to go back and stay longer, 3 days @ Open, 1 or 2 in the city, if we can afford it. While lots of things are free or inexpensive, hotels are not.
Do you know there is a reliable overview of street side cart food now? I saw it on tv and can't recall the name of the site but i'm going to look it up.
Nan and Calif. Girl - Let's meet up in NYC when you're there. Don't know about the street food, CG - but I do know of a reasonable hotel in Chinatown. I don't stay there since I have friends who let me crash, but I will be happy to pass along the infor if you like!
Why did I notice the man's hairy calf as much as Winnie? Was it his posture of "hey, this is not mine, really!"?
I like to visit NYC but couldn't live there. Hartford was great 'cause it was a little trip south to the City or a little trip north to Boston. Fun times
Ahhhh, New York. Such a mind stretch for this 'ole piney woods country boy. I do find it interesting.
what i wouldn't do to live in Central Park for a week or a month...i'd happily sweep, rake leaves or even clean up pidgeon poop for a nice comfy park bench.
Hey Reya,
Did you see the last National Geographic? "Before New York" It does make you wonder about the energy that was there before all that concrete. Peace.
I love your new picture.
You do look wonderfully buzzy and cheerful and elated.
You must take the Bolt Bus more often.
Much love.
I love the huge Pooh!
We'll be there in November. A little old lady from Down Under in New York? A scary thought.
Alaine you will have a wonderful time.
And YES Elizabeth I totally agree! I see many more NYC adventures ahead. Yeah!!
Butternut I did see the Nat Geographic. Very cool.
steven - sweet post reya!!! it made me go back to when i was a sixteen years old in nyc to see the ss france on its final voyage. dinner at the benihana, blintzes at three in the morning at the russian tea room, rooms at the algonquin. running through times square and along alleyways without fear. champagne breakfast on board the liner. allied to the rich. i've never been back since. electric high. that's it reya!!!
Steven, every time I go to NYC I feel like I'm having the adventure you described, every time. GREAT story!
My daughter uses that Bolt bus all the time to go into the city. Fun pics. Wish I lived closer!
The Bolt bus people felt compelled to tell me every hideous story they could about the infamous Bus from Chinatown, once upon a time the cheapest bus option for getting back and forth. My oh my.
Bolt is great, though. Pleasant - wifi and plug-ins, and they only stop once, at a rest stop for 10 minutes, halfway between DC and NYC. There is a toilet in the busses, they're clean, people are extremely considerate of each other (except when they persist in telling horror stories) and the ride is SO cheap! I am now a believer. BOLT to NYC. Yeah.
The train used to be he cool way to get to NY. Now it's the Bolt bus. Go figure!
Yes, yes, Reya! That's what I was trying to express when I was talking about Rhapsody in Blue over at The Turtle. New York is unique and wonderful. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
I love NYC, too. All those tall buildings! I used to drive my husband crazy by continuing to look up when in Manhattan. He was always in a hurry in those days.
I agree about the energy - great point - is it because of all the electrical current running, or just the feeling of energy?
a wonderful new york story
:-)
x
It sounds fun, but I have never been to NYC and am totally not sure if I want to go there. I barely can handle going to Los Angeles cause I seem to feel boxed in for some reason. But I guess I can live vicariously through others.
Glad you had fun and I hope you can go more often.
God bless.
Obviously you never know what you'll find on the subway in NYC!
I love Pooh-bear.
NYC is on my list. I want to feel that energy too. What a mix!
The photos are amazing.
Thanks for sharing.
I love New York. Hey, maybe that could be a slogan.
I never feel energy anywhere else the way I feel it in NYC. I've always thought it was the people, but you might be right about other forms of man-made electricity!
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