Springtime in New York (Part 1)

“Start spreaadddin’ the newwssss! I’m leavin’ todaayyyy, I want to be a part of it! New York, New York!”

My mom shot me an annoyed look.
“Hey, finish packing, we have to leave soon.”

"-and find I’m king of the hill! Top of the heap!” I sang from the top of the stairs.

“Juliette! Finish packing NOW.”

“Geez, mom, just trying to get everybody in the mood.” I turned the volume up on my speakers, letting Mr. Sinatra take over.

After stuffing articles of clothing in my suitcase, we said our goodbyes to the pets, loaded up the car, and drove to the airport.
Despite the initial rush to catch our flight, the rest of the plane ride was smooth sailing. I settled in with my Rollingstone magazine and the sweet sounds of Vampire Weekend and awaited our descent to the Big Apple.

After several hours, I could finally see the outline of skyscrapers from my window. We flew over the city, the sparkling buildings and hazy horizon sent shivers of excitement through my body.

I want to be a part of it, New York, New York...

After a safe landing, we gathered our suitcases and boarded the subway. I slowly ascended the stairs; the ethereal sunlight and sounds of the city floated down into the dark subway tunnel. Nothing short of what Harry Potter must have felt like entering Hogwarts, or the Pevensie children entering Narnia through the wardrobe, I emerged from the subway and stepped out into New York City.

For a long time New York has existed inside my head, an imaginary place that I’ve escaped to in my daydreams. I’ve constructed imaginary conversations between contemporary urbanites in this romantic dream land, images stolen from movies and photographs that I’ve recycled over and over again in my mind.
But now to finally see the city, to find it living, breathing, and tangible...is so surreal. I have to keep convincing myself that it’s real and that I’m really here. I have to keep convincing myself that it exists, that it’s not some fictitious fantasy world.

I love everything about this city, my home for the next six days. And it has lived up to my expectations.

We trudged down the narrow hallway, burdened with our bags. The apartment was small, but cozy, with modern decorations and a beautiful view of the street.

"We've got a big day planned tomorrow! Get some rest, sweetie," my dad smiled.

After we unpacked and I had changed into my pajamas, I laid down on the pull out sofa bed. As I drifted off to sleep, I sang softly into my pillow, mouthing the words, “I want to wake up, in a city that never sleeps…”

New York, New York...


(photos taken by either myself, my dad, or random strangers on the street)

Central Park






in our apartment


turkey burger at The Boathouse restaurant












The 39 Steps play with my family




Fuerza Bruta show








To be continued...