17 Nov Saturday in New York
A Perfect First Day in New York
When you’re lucky, you’re lucky.
The first full day I spent in New York made me fall in love with the city instantly.
Amazing weather and a bright blue sky made the day feel more like early summer than the 28th of October. As I walked along 8th Avenue towards Columbus Circle, I slowly started catching a taste of the city.
Morning joggers, tourists with cameras ready, policemen eating bagels in small corner restaurants — all races and colors mixed together on the wide avenues and narrow streets of New York.
It felt alive.
Discovering Central Park
I moved along Central Park West, doing exactly what a tourist does in a new city: taking photos, my eyes hungry for the architecture and the details of the houses and buildings surrounding the park.
For anyone who thinks New York is only about skyscrapers, glass and steel, that idea is completely wrong.
There is architecture — beautiful architecture. Small streets with colored buildings, elegant doors and staircases. Quiet streets that look as if they came straight out of a movie.
My first stop was Strawberry Fields.
Even though I was never a huge Beatles fan (partly because I am too young to truly understand the period in which they reached their peak), I must admit there are quite a few songs from them that still make me smile and nod my head while listening.
From there I slowly continued walking through the paths of Central Park until I reached Bow Bridge.
Bow Bridge and New York Hospitality
Without exaggerating, Bow Bridge is probably one of the most photographed places in New York that is not a skyscraper or a large building.
As I walked across the bridge, hearing the sound of my footsteps on the wooden boards, I looked at the few other tourists who had also woken up early to avoid the crowds.
They were smiling, taking photos and helping each other.
That moment was the first time I truly noticed New York hospitality.
Throughout my trip I was constantly surprised by the people I met and the small conversations that happened along the way — whether it was my host, strangers giving directions or someone simply smiling and saying hello.
At Bow Bridge a kind lady approached me after seeing me struggling to take a selfie. She offered to take my photo and then pointed out another beautiful location in the park — a quieter corner that was not as photographed as the bridge but equally stunning.
Bethesda Fountain
Following her advice, I walked toward that place together with another tourist. We chatted and shared stories until we reached Bethesda Fountain, where our paths eventually separated.
She had already explored this part of the park, while I wanted to spend some time there.
For another reason as well.
This was the place where Keanu Reeves delivers his famous line in John Wick:
“Tell them all. Whoever comes, whoever it is, I’ll kill them all.”
Yes, I’m a John Wick fan, and I cannot wait for another sequel.
By the time I reached the fountain it was already 10 AM, and the park was slowly filling with more visitors enjoying the beautiful weather.
The Pond and The Plaza Hotel
From there I continued my walk towards The Pond, the quiet place I mentioned earlier.
You can find it near one of the park’s entrances, close to The Plaza Hotel. It is fairly easy to reach and the small brick bridge together with the calm water of the pond create a wonderful scene.
When I finally left Central Park, I couldn’t resist taking a few photos of The Plaza Hotel.
The reason is simple.
I watched Home Alone more times than I can remember when I was a kid. Those movies were always on TV during the winter holidays — a time when the whole family stayed home together and, fortunately for us, no child was ever lost.
Sweet memories.
Rockefeller Plaza and Top of the Rock
From there I slowly made my way toward Carnegie Hall, taking only a few quick photos before continuing toward my next destination.
Interestingly, Rockefeller Plaza was the only attraction for which I had not purchased an e-ticket before arriving in New York.
Seeing the large crowds waiting at the entrance, I sat on a small bench in the plaza, opened the Top of the Rock website and booked the first available slot for both a daytime and nighttime visit.
Before climbing up, I had about an hour to spare.
So I walked a few meters away and admired St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a masterpiece that deserves at least a closer look even if you don’t enter inside.
As for Top of the Rock, I must say this: it might not be the tallest building in New York, nor the newest or most modern.
But trust me — it might still be the best observation deck in the city.
The view is spectacular.
An Unexpected Reunion in New York
Later that day something completely unexpected happened.
When I was in first and second grade I had a friend and classmate who moved away. The last time I had seen him was in 1989.
Thanks to Facebook we had exchanged a few messages the previous year after more than 25 years without contact.
When I arrived in New York I did what almost every tourist does — I checked in on Facebook from Times Square. Tasteless perhaps, but I am still a kid sometimes.
That is when he saw my check-in and sent me a message asking if I wanted to meet. He had been living in the United States since 1999.
Of course I said yes.
That evening we met and spent hours catching up — laughing, telling stories and remembering old times.
Did it feel strange after 28 years?
Not at all.
It felt as if we had never stopped talking.
Seeing him again brought back memories from a time when my only worries were whether my mom would let me go out with the bigger boys or if cartoons would be on TV that evening.
It was one of the most unexpected and beautiful moments of the trip.
The City at Night
After we said goodbye, I ran toward the Metropolitan Opera for a performance that I will describe in a separate article.
Later that night I returned to Top of the Rock for my second visit of the day.
The view from above was simply incredible.
The lights of the city, the colors of Manhattan and the dark peaceful silence of Central Park created one of the most memorable scenes of the entire trip.
That is how my first full day in New York unfolded.
The next post will tell the story of Day 2 — Sunday, October 29th.
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