gets me every time!

a couple of weeks ago, i spent the weekend in new york – my very favorite of cities.  the weekend was spent catching up with old friends and celebrating life events, and therefore did not lend itself to site-seeing or checking out new restaurants or shops.  but just being in the city is enough, to see the loud nypd direct traffic, to hear the ridiculous cacophony (big word) of the horns and bike bells, to experience the energy that inspires millions.

tulips on park avenue

also, it’s spring.  spring in new york, which never ceases to amaze me.  my very first visit to new york was in april of 1999.  it was over easter weekend, and we stayed downtown in the hotel between the world trade center towers.  we took photos of all the people rushing up the escalators in the morning.  instantly, i fell in love.  despite being cold (why must the new york weather be the last to hear of spring?), central park was in full bloom, and our carriage driver (yes, carriage driver) shouted “happy easter!” to each passing hasidic jew.

stumbled upon a mile-long sikh festival, and couldn’t resist invading some personal space for a closer look at these earrings (let’s be honest, there was no personal space at that parade).

fifteen years later and i’m still in love.  maybe because i don’t live there and the magic isn’t replaced with tired feet and freezing winters and cramped apartments, but rather still exists in the tulips on park avenue, the random cultural events that pop up at a moment’s notice, the pure joy of quietly reading a book in bryant park while surrounded by the nation’s craziest intersection.

a bagel and a novel (thanks, bagel & schmear) during a quiet morning in bryant park

after many visits, new york still isn’t my home (and may never be), but it’s my happy place.  and with spring being my happy season, it doesn’t get much better than april in manhattan.

bright and cheery at madison square in new york

what’s your favorite place for spring?