| As an experienced traveler and someone who visited | | | | of August. Here you are not breathing a nice fresh air, |
| New York City nine years ago, I was not sure what to | | | | rather something of a sensory mix of sewer, garbage, |
| expect when taking the whole family this time, in the | | | | fancy 5th avenue scent and phenomenal food. Really |
| middle of the summer. | | | | difficult to describe how the city smells - not the most |
| We were really lucky to have had a pilot who handled | | | | pleasant, yet distinct experience. |
| the plane like it was a Porsche, and drove right over | | | | Regardless, there was so much to soak in: a great |
| Manhattan at night, following with a sharp turn to the | | | | diversity of people, impressive architecture, the best |
| LaGuardia airport. I told the kids that we are going to | | | | shopping, etc... But in the end, it is not the 5th avenue |
| show them a big city, and I am not kidding; it is a really | | | | that makes New York, or the Statue of Liberty, or the |
| big city. | | | | Central Park. What makes this a true metropolis is the |
| After the initial settling into our sweet hotel on the | | | | fact that New Yorkers are a welcoming, honest, |
| upper west side, the next morning we started | | | | hard-working bunch of people who are just a little tired |
| exploring the city. First things first: locate Starbucks and | | | | sometimes, yet always courteous and kind. In the end, |
| Subway following with the kids expressing their | | | | the New York can only be understood through its |
| wonder, and 7 year old concluding that it probably took | | | | people. Many are struggling to make a living in this |
| couple of years to build all the tall buildings. | | | | expensive city - they work hard, catering to you and |
| During the seven-day stay, we have covered the | | | | me - the visitors. They don't cheat, steal or do anything |
| entire Manhattan and seen it by foot, by subway, bus, | | | | hostile to tourists. This is what makes it a great city! |
| taxi, plane and ferry. It is New York City, and it | | | | What makes a big city is not its buildings, or the display |
| deserves to be seen. Manhattan felt somewhat as | | | | of wealth and extravagance - there is much more to |
| being a bee in beehive and being a sub-terrestrial ant, a | | | | being world class than just having those things. New |
| little spackle of energy that gives the city its power | | | | York City captivates the visitor with its culture. Here, a |
| and magnificence. | | | | person can be himself. Loosing oneself in the sea of |
| Finally, on the 5th day I've got it. I knew why New York | | | | people and not being judged for a second makes you |
| City is so popular and loved. Theoretically speaking | | | | feel uniquely accepted and special. New Yorkers have |
| there is a lot of negatives: so many people (up to 6 | | | | an unprecedented understanding for all kinds of people. |
| million on Manhattan alone) on a daily basis create a lot | | | | They all happily share one big city, a big machine that |
| of trash, and subway system although convenient and | | | | beats a unique fast-paced beat, one fueled by the |
| fast was similar to a human cooker during the month | | | | hearts of the many who love and visit the Big Apple. |