Sometimes my boyfriend and I joke that I am a lot more excited about him living in the middle of Manhattan than he is. I would totally move there if I could and hardly ever leave the island again. But since this is almost impossible thanks to my visa, I have to make do with regular visits. Not that I have ever complained … only about the stairs really because my boyfriend’s apartment is up on the 6th floor, there isn’t any elevator, and the stairs simply kill me (did I tell you about me helping him move in in June when we had to carry all those boxes up all those at least one trillion steps – on a Sunday – at 7 a.m. – after a while I just felt like throwing up). But that’s about it. Else I just love love love Manhattan. Please also notice that I really confine myself to this part of New York City because I don’t really know the others at all. All I’ve ever been to was the beginning of Brooklyn, you know where it is closest to Manhattan. As mentioned before, I have never felt the need to leave the island.
For once, Manhattan’s buildings are so tall that I can see other parts of the city from above and afar. I have always loved observation towers, and Manhattan offers them with all its skyscrapers. I could sit on my boyfriend’s rooftop terrace for hours – it feels like being in a valley since all houses around it are way taller. Obviously, New York City is a real big city with its 8.5 million inhabitants, 1.6 million of whom live on the small island of Manhattan. When I am in Boston, I miss this feeling. In Manhattan I like the faster walking pace, the busy streets, that there are cafés everywhere and street vendors. There are so many things to do – we can have breakfast all day long in one of the many diners; we can visit numerous museums; it takes us five minutes to reach the coast and walk along the water; the entertainment facilities feel endless with all the theaters and musicals.
When we want a break, but still leave the house, Central Park always seems the right option. For me the giant park is a place I like to be in during all seasons. Last weekend was the first one when temperatures dropped so much that we could only wear winter clothes. I am definitely a person who would never wear a warm hat until it is absolutely necessary. That time I walked alone because my boyfriend had to work, but I have never been bored alone in Central Park. There are so many different parts – I enjoy watching the ice skaters on the big rink and the fat squirrels racing up and down the trees. I have wanted to go rowing on the little lake for a long time, but this year we have missed the opportunity because it got cold earlier than expected. I now insist on skating soon.
What I also like about Central Park is that there are many small cafés and also coffee and snack selling vendors around plus some quite nice public bathrooms. Every time I go, I spend at least three to four hours in the park. Despite the cold, last Sunday was lovely and sunny. I could see some last bits and pieces of this fall’s foliage. There were many small dogs chasing around. One couple had apparently lost their dog that had just run off with others. They asked me if one of them belonged to me. Well, no … as if I looked like a dog person …
Maybe I find Manhattan also more enjoyable because I do not live there. I only go there every few weeks, which makes it the more appealing. But then I also remember the first time I ever went to New York City – for winter break in 2013. And I loved it so much despite the weather being gruesome.
© janavar