Rediscovering New York

Having prepared the escapade for months, I was more than thrilled to get off the plane at JFK and even though it was still dark, gaze out the windows of the train which would take us to Manhattan. This is a city that has made a name for itself in more than one way, from being the home to various superheroes or gangsters, to a city of romance and adventure. Still, no one can truly sense New York City until they’re there, taking in every sight, smell and feeling; living with the rush of life the city has.

Visiting the city was a mix of finding new places in every corner and rediscovering things I’ve seen years ago. Actually, walking through central park and back and forth from upper east to west side was like a dream; glancing at the gorgeous apartments and wishing I could be there, looking down to the breathing life of the city. There are never enough days to really get to know New York City, you’ll always have museums to visit like the MET, the Museum of Natural History or smaller ones like the Frick Collection, which will take up more than a day to really get to appreciate; or visiting the great landmarks like the Empire State, One World Trade Center or newer ones like the Vessel even if just walking past them. To me, the city is so much more than just those places, or even going to shows, it’s the smaller things like grabbing a coffee and sitting by the fountain on Lincoln Center, or staying in line for a while for a slice of pizza at Scar´s. The spirit of the city is infectious and will make you fall in love with a part of it.

One of my favorite discoveries in the city during this trip was an incredible ramen restaurant, called Ippudo. They have around three locations in the city, by 5th avenue, westside and east village. After a long day of walking and touristing we looked at a list of recommended restaurants and by sheer luck ended in the westside location. Not only was the place absolutely charming, but the people were some of the nicest staff we encountered. Now onto the food, there´s no easy way to describe it, but every bite felt absolutely perfect, filled with flavor and something new. We spent our time peacefully enjoying each bite, rejoicing on the ambient and since then, dreaming to go back.

One of the must do’s while in New York City is to visit the Brooklyn Bridge, an incredible and beautiful infrastructure that’s surrounded by gorgeous sights. I would recommend walking the south side by morning, stopping to have lunch in one of the great spots in Manhattan overlooking the bridge and finally heading over to the bridge. You’ll then overtake the great task of crossing over the bridge. This is a fun plan if you’re into walking and it’s a chance to take great pictures, you’ll definitely have the time of your life; and it’s not as long as it may look, you may take up to 25 or 30 minutes to cross from one side to the other. Once you’re on the other side, you’ll be part of the famous Dumbo, one of the renown spots for taking pictures of the bridge with Manhattan as a background. Since you’re there, definitely take some time to walk and look around, visit Jane’s Carousel or Time Out Market.