Holly Stark

“A hundred times have I thought New York is a catastrophe, and fifty times: It is a beautiful catastrophe.” – Le Corbusier

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Pulling away from the Manhattan skyline, either on the Staten Island Ferry or the Brooklyn Bridge, incites a feeling that is really hard to pinpoint. The city, in its illuminated, intense,overwhelming (in a beautiful way) and alive state, lives on. It feels timeless, unlike the potentially ephemeral nature of those who live in it. As we watch the carefully crafted landscape unfold, Dian says to me “We are really blessed to see this.” And we really are; we are Christian Bale in the Dark Knight Rises.

But we cannot fly, and navigating around a city 4 times bigger than the one I am used to (Sheffield I really miss you, Leadmill I love you don’t forget me) was at times a challenge. Navigation was fine, honestly it was; really fine. The subway is great, and If you have Google Maps, a compass or a Sam then you can’t go wrong, and if you do go wrong it is only to see the sunset fading beyond the Brookyln Bridge. A worthy mistake.

The city has a way of making you embrace your inner child. The Plaza Hotel where Home Alone 2 is filmed, with its lavish chandeliers and golden everything, creates that 8 year old Christmas time excitement. I couldn’t help looking out for Kevin, even though I’m 23 years too late. There’s no sight of 27 years younger Tom Hanks either in FAO Schwarz toy shop where Big was filmed. But the Big Piano remained and begged us to play.

My favourite places in NYC were actually the cheap or free ones. I found the peaceful places were the most beautiful. Such as Greenwich village (I could live there), Strawberry Fields in Central Park, and Ground Zero.

The Strawberry Fields Memorial was strange and peaceful, a quiet part of town where you could hear the birds. There was something ironic and sad about the busker by the memorial with his photo of John Lennon and cold, ungloved fingers strumming his guitar and singing the Beatles. Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can.

The 9/11 memorial was also really quiet and strangely peaceful in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city, the sound of the water from the fountains provoked a sadness, both an emptiness and a fullness, and the square shaped holes reminded me that absence is presence.
The Natural History Museum, Grand Central Station, MOMA, Outback Steakhouse, Maude Comedy night and Story Telling (at the most amazing book store with twinkly lights and a bar) and the incredible view from the Rockerfeller were just a few of the many highlights. But it was the company who made my trip; thank you to my friends who joined me.
It has been an exhausting but amazing holiday. We took the Canadian weather with us; it was the coldest temperature on record. I would love to see the city in spring, summer, and autumn, but there is so much more world to see. Thank you NYC; ’til next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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