Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind and choppy turbulence occupied me during my overwhelming feelings of excitement.  I was inching of my seat while gazing out the plane window to see the breathtaking view of the coruscating lights across the city skyline.  I felt like I was in a movie, like I was on top of the world. I felt a belonging to this city.

A taxi cab was my transportation to my hotel.  I gaped up at every skyscraper; I had never seen buildings this tall. “Concrete jungle” was definitely fitting.  Days were passing on this trip and I was being as touristy as ever.  Eating in cafes in SoHo, sitting on the steps of the MET, strolling through central park, posing with Lady Liberty, looking at every billboard throughout Times Square; these memories were being implanted in my head as the hours were passing. 

I think about these well spent five days habitually.  Pictures of this beautifully diverse city fill me with nostalgia.  New York, I love you.