About the Author: Crystal is new to the blogging world, but loves to share her travels. She encourages people to step outside of the guide book and experience not only the big stuff, but the small stuff too! After working at a corporate desk job for nine years she knew it was time to start following her passion…writing and travelling. She created www.youhavegottogohere.wordpress.com to share the amazing wonders she has seen along her way.
Crystal resides in Southern California with her husband Mark and dogger (that is a dog daughter) Hannah. Her goal in life is the live life on her own terms, and help others to do the same.
They say it’s where dreams are made, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to see the bright lights of New York City…
I can’t put a finger on my love for the city that never sleeps, but I always imagined seeing the skyline for the first time, feeling the breeze through my hair as I walked in Central Park and of course eating a slice of pizza in Little Italy.
Aside from one trip to Florida with my family I had never really had the chance to travel and explore all the wonders that come with discovering something new…so when I got a call from a dear friend asking me to accompany her to New York how could I say no?
This was my chance to be carefree and seek out adventure. At the age of 19, I had no ties – all I needed was my luggage and a good friend.
The butterflies in my stomach were rampant with movement as I drove (yes drove-I was a brave young girl!) through the Lincoln Tunnel to the heart of the city. The skyline was all that I had imagined, but the energy of the city was nothing like I had ever been a part of. The movement of people, cars and lights was dizzying…BUT I loved it. I couldn’t park the car fast enough; I wanted to be in the middle of it.
Our clothes were barely unpacked before we were out the door. There was not much time and I wanted to see it all!
First stop…pizza! All I can say is that it is true; there is no pizza like New York pizza. I set my sights on a giant cheese and olive slice. I pointed to it, as the man behind the counter only spoke Italian, and it was mine. It was truly a slice of heaven…the spices, the cheese, the goodness – a flavor that still lives in my palette until this day.
With tummies full we were ready for a walk, and by walk I mean marathon. We left no stone unturned – Fashion Institute, Times Square, FAO Schwartz, Central Park, Greenwich Village, NYU, Macy’s on 34th, Empire State Building, but nothing prepared me for the feeling I got when I saw the Statue of Liberty for the first time.
I’m not going to lie…I was tired. We hadn’t figured out the subway so our feet hated us, but that all went away when I spotted Lady Liberty. She was majestic even from a far and I knew that I had to get up close. I dragged my friend to the boat for one last excursion of the day and boy am I glad I did.
We were lucky enough to get to Liberty Island right before it closed. Although we could not walk up to the crown, we were fortunate to be able to stand at the base and marvel. I had to pinch myself, how had I been so lucky to be in New York and partaking in things I had only seen on T.V.?
As we rode the boat back to the main land I knew that there was another day a head, but it would never be as special as the first day. There would also be more trips in my future, but never anything like the excitement and freedom I felt my first time exploring New York City.
Today she is a continent away, but I want to thank my friend, Theresa, for picking up the phone and giving me the chance to go on my first of many adventures!
About Pamela
Oh my beloved Big Apple!!!