Bright Lights. Big City

“ There are times when one could wish that the good Lord would start all over again with Creation and straighten a few things out that didn’t turn out so well the first time. He wouldn’t have to look very hard- He would choose New York City, because everything that is assembled there is just like Noah’s Ark: all cultures and all races. It is not only the buildings and skyscrapers, the towers and parks that give NYC its face- it is the people. The United Nations is located on the East River and that’s perfectly logical. But the fact, one can see the United Nations at the anytime on the subway where the world’s people are united on a space of 430 sq ft. It is the people that make NYC more colorful than the brightest lights in Time Square. New York is rich- and at the same time, incredibly poor. New York is both filthy and clean. New York is at the same time decadent and decent, beautiful and ugly. That’s not even contradictory. The city is like a human being with all its emotions and moods, full and sorrow. That is the true charm of New York City. It is the most human city on this planet- with all the attendant merits and shortcomings.”

Each time I arrive back into New York City, I feel as though I’ve never left. I imagine it much like a fish being let back into a stream, immediately back with all the others… in the flow of things.

Entering Manhattan from Jersey, I find that there is a thick blanket of snow covering the city. For a moment, it is as I’m walking through a Stegliz or Coburn photograph. These are those kind of moments that stand out in your mind.. decades from now when you look out the window and see the first snow of winter, you remember walking through Manhattan’s Central Park, the stillness that snow brings with it.

In the morning, I will meet with my sweet friends for brunch. Along with me will come a girl who I am training to lead tours here in the city. She’s never experienced brunch in the city.. so, we are remedying this!

Brunch:
Elephant and Castle • Greenwich Ave and 7th Ave (the Village)
Doma • Perry Street and W 4th Street (the Village) • serves great coffee and French toast
Home • Cornelia Street & Bleeker Street (the Village) • cozy atmosphere, feel good food
Good Eats • 483 Amsterdam Ave & 83rd St (Upper West Side)
Westville • 210 W 10th and Bleeker (the Village)
Clinton Street Bakery • Clinton Street and Houston (Lower East Side) get the scrambled eggs over homemade biscuits topped with tomato puree- amazing!
The Hungarian Bakery • Amsterdam Ave & W 111th St

Tomorrow my NYC tour begins!