An Unforgettable Weekend in New York City: Living the Big Apple Dream
For as long as I can remember, New York City has existed as a vibrant, almost mythical entity in my mind. I’d seen the sprawling metropolis probably a thousand times – its iconic skyline gracing countless movie screens, its bustling streets brought to life through television series like Friends, Sex and the City, and Suits, and its dynamic energy captured in countless newspaper photographs. The allure of the Big Apple never waned; in fact, with every re-run and every new glimpse, its charm only deepened. Its bright, ambitious lights, emanating from a city thousands of miles away, called out to me, inspiring daydreams of one day experiencing its grandeur firsthand, in the flesh.
The moment we moved to Washington D.C., a mere four-hour bus ride from New York, a surge of excitement coursed through me. I knew then that my long-held dream was finally within reach. The opportunity solidified when our dear friend Vennie – a brilliant Bulgarian girl we’d first met during our student exchange in Mannheim, Germany – generously offered for us to stay at her apartment in NYC’s Upper West Side. I was absolutely ecstatic; Juan and I seized the chance, eagerly planning a memorable weekend getaway to the city that never sleeps.
Just two weeks prior, with spirits high and anticipation bubbling, Juan and I packed our bags for a weekend’s adventure. We hopped on the metro to D.C.’s historic Union Station and boarded our BestBus to New York. The journey itself was filled with excited chatter and planning, each mile bringing us closer to a lifelong aspiration. Four and a half hours later, around 11:30 PM on that bustling Friday night, our bus pulled over somewhere near the glittering spectacle of Times Square. Stepping off the bus, the contrast with D.C. was immediate and striking. Unlike D.C., which often feels calm, collected, and spacious with its lower skyline and broader avenues, New York pulsed with an electric energy. It throbbed with life, a vibrant tapestry of towering skyscrapers whose lights twinkled like countless stars in the night sky. Despite the fatigue from the journey, my eyes were wide with wonder as I breathed in the crisp night air, taking in the endless stream of people and traffic moving with purpose to destinations unknown. It was an immersive, exhilarating sensory overload, and even in that initial rush, NYC managed to steal my heart, this time, face to face, in all its magnificent chaos.
Exploring the Upper West Side and a Cherished Reunion
Moving with the same brisk pace as the New Yorkers around us, we quickly navigated our way to the subway. Boarding the number 1 line, we headed north, the rhythmic rumble of the train underscoring our excitement. We disembarked at 110th Street, a short walk from Vennie’s apartment. A quick buzz of the doorbell, and the door opened to reveal our wonderful friend. The embrace that followed was tight and heartfelt – it was truly amazing to reunite after almost eight years! Our last encounter had been during our student exchange in Mannheim, a charming university town an hour south of Frankfurt, Germany, where our friendship had first blossomed amidst academic pursuits and European adventures.
Vennie, ever the thoughtful and gracious person I remembered, had anticipated our late arrival and potential hunger. She had thoughtfully prepared a delightful spread of grapes, cheese, crackers, and hummus, a perfect light supper for weary travelers. We settled comfortably on her couch, sharing stories and laughter, catching up on eight years of life over the next few hours. The conversation flowed effortlessly, a testament to enduring friendship and shared memories. Finally, exhausted but incredibly happy, we retired for the night. (Vennie, with her characteristic generosity, had insisted we take her master bedroom while she slept on the couch, an act of kindness I remain eternally grateful for. Thank you, sweetie!)
Saturday morning dawned bright and beautiful, with the sun gently peeking through the blinds, painting the Upper West Side in golden hues. We were eager not to waste a single moment of our precious New York weekend. After a quick, energizing breakfast of yogurt, fruit, and nuts, we joined Vennie for a stroll to her alma mater, the prestigious Columbia University, just a five-minute walk from her apartment. She proudly showed us the impressive neoclassical architecture of the library, her Mathematics building where she spent countless hours, and shared fascinating insights into student life and the rich history of the institution. The sprawling campus, with its grand buildings, verdant quads, and scholarly atmosphere, offered a serene contrast to the bustling city streets, providing a tranquil glimpse into another intellectual facet of New York life.
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