Last year, right around this time, I found myself in the Big Apple, New York City.
I was going through a lot of changes in my life; I needed a change of scenery and I needed my support system around me. Fortunately, I could find both in New York.
I have family members that live in the city and they were kind enough to let me stay with them during the week of Thanksgiving.
To be honest, I had a lot of anxiety leading up to this trip. My world was a bit topsy-turvy at the time and I didn’t know how to break away from that feeling. I flew in to NYC on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I remember seeing the city lights and the water on approach. Looking down, I felt as though the city held all of the cleansing for which I had been searching.
I arrived to the apartment late, past 11 pm, and was so happy to be with family. I was also starving, which in New York in the middle of the night is not a problem! We walked down the street (maybe a 30 second walk) and into a diner serving donuts and grilled cheese and other comfort foods. It was a perfect, delicious welcome.
The next day, Thanksgiving Day, we slept in. I had every intention of getting up early to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I have watched the parade while lounging in my pajamas every year, without fail, and have always daydreamed about seeing it in person. But, on that day, I needed to rest and sleep in, and so that is exactly what I did. Later that day we walked around Brooklyn, DUMBO, and got a subway card that I could use for the time I was there.
That evening we had what was unquestionably the most unique Thanksgiving meal I’ve ever enjoyed. We went to the apartment of some friends and they fixed Japanese dishes for dinner. I wish I could remember all of the names of the food they served, because it was all delicious. There were different kinds of sushi, takoyaki, Japanese green beans, and other beautifully prepared cuisine. We sat around the table together, and I soaked up the warm company of family and new friends.
During the rest of my time in the city I visited the Met, walked through Central Park, saw the Statue of Liberty, and spent time at the 9/11 Memorial. There is nothing quite like the energy of New York City, and it was exactly what I needed.
The other part of this trip that I can’t forget to mention is the food. I tried so much deliciousness on this trip. We had Dim Sum in Chinatown. Ethiopian food and pad thai in Brooklyn. I tried vegatarian chili and Sweetgreen in Manhattan. The food was just as much part of the experience of the city as the sites, streets, and buildings were.
It always seemed to me as though there was nothing you couldn’t find. You want to try a food or restaurant you’ve never tried? New York has it. You want to see old, classical art and architecture? New York has it. You want to see modern architecture? Performance art? An eclectic book store? A huge chain store or a hole-in-the-wall? A demonstration? A Broadway show? An off Broadway show? You name it, New York has it.
When it came time to head back home, my initial anxieties about the trip had waned and I was so glad for the change of scenery. I was ready to get home and tackle the things that were waiting for me; I felt recharged and energized. Focusing particularly on gratitude during this holiday, I was beyond grateful for the new perspective I received throughout my time in the city. This trip couldn’t have come at a better time, and I’ll always remember the Thanksgiving I spent in New York City.