Bright Lights, Big City

Day 331

“I go to Paris, I go to London, I go to Rome, and I always say, “There’s no place like New York. It’s the most exciting city in the world now. That’s the way it is. That’s it.”

– Robert De Niro

The holiday season is upon us, with all its merriment, food and festivities, social gatherings, decorations, lights and general spectacular-ness, but no matter where I am at this time of year, the holidays make me think of Manhattan.

When I was in kindergarten, I played an elf in the holiday school play. I don’t remember much else from the play except that I had a green felt costume, and we sang Silver Bells. The song conjured up images of Santa on the streets of New York city, bells ringing everywhere and lots of lights – endless lights of all colors flickering, blinking and shining brighter than anything I’d ever seen.

I didn’t know then that I’d live in Manhattan one day, and have the good fortune to experience the holiday season in Manhattan firsthand. It’s even better than I’d imagined – the whole city is a magical winter wonderland. The trees on all the streets are lit up, and every shop window is decorated like something out of a fairy-tale. Walking up fifth avenue from Times Square to 57th Street is like walking in a dream. The skating rink at Bryant Park is the crowning jewel in the center of winter village, and the aroma of hot chocolate and roasted nuts fills the air.

Here are a few iconic images of Christmas in New York: