#FriFotos: Monuments
The Statue of Liberty off in the distance
Ah, New York City. The first time I traveled to NYC, it was like a right of passage. I had just turned 18 and even though I had been to London before and traveled around Scotland, I felt like I was never in the cool group of my friends who went to the city all the time. They knew all the cool neighborhoods, what the heck LES meant and where to see the best theatre. I, on the other hand, only really knew what I read in history books or had seen on TV. Yes, I was very excited to window shop on 5th Avenue and see Times Square, but more importantly I wanted to feel what made NYC so special.
Another shot from the ferry ride
Early one morning, we were wandering around the Seaport TKTS booth and I snapped this photo. For me, this is what NYC is all about. We were in the present- buying theatre tickets and getting ready for a morning shopping trip and then you see The Statue of Liberty and it puts everything else into perspective. You can’t deny the historical presence all around you. It made my experience so much richer and I felt a strong connection to my country that I’m not sure I had ever felt before.
What was your first NYC experience? Do you care about the Statue of Liberty?
*This photo was submitted for #FriFotos! Each week a new category is selected and we all share our photos on Twitter! Join the fun!
Cute story. I felt the same way about NYC until I finally visited last October. I’ve since been back twice- I love it!
Thanks, Lindsay! I love NYC too!
I reeeeeally want to visit the statue of liberty. I suppose I should visit the UK’s monuments first though… I think it’s kinda lame I’ve been in the UK for 20 years and never seen Big Ben!
Okay- Dan… the first thing Bob and I are going to do when we see you is take you to Big Ben!! haha
I love New York and lived there for five years. It’s so true that things like the Statue of Liberty pop into view, and your heart stops. Love it! Love the first photo.
You lived there for 5 years?! Love! We’ve always talked about living there… maybe one day!
The first time NYC made an impact on me, I was 12 and we actually stayed in our own apartment on the UWS, as my parents friends were out of town the weekend we were there. I felt so grown up and cosmopolitan, learning how to hail cabs and eat bagels on the sidewalk!
The first time I went back as an adult, I was 18 and did a bunch of touristy things myself. I finally made it up to the top of the Statue of Liberty (so much fun!) and since I had done the top of one tall-ish structure, I skipped the top of the Twin Towers, telling myself, oh, they’ll always be there, I’ll do that some other time. FAMOUS LAST WORDS! Which is why I pretty much do everything I want to do as soon as I arrive, just in case it’s not there tomorrow.
Oh, wow! I remember when you told me that story about the Twin Towers… It actually makes me do things the same day now too. just in case…