Back in February, I was lucky enough to have the chance to visit one of the most amazing cities on the planet - New York City. After enough persuasion, my Media Studies teacher sorted everything out for a lucky few of us to travel over to the Big Apple for an experience of a lifetime. As one of the most memorable trips I will probably ever have, I wanted to share a few of my favourite moments and memories and the pictures that captured them all. I hope you enjoy!
The Rockefeller Centre
Having just got off a 7 hour flight and attempted to eat dinner, we made our way to the top of the Rockefeller Centre to see the beautiful city lit up before us. The view was absolutely incredible, the lights continued for miles and miles, the true size of New York so overwhelming in the best way possible - I couldn't believe I was seeing it with my own eyes! From left to right, skyscrapers rose to cover the night sky, the roads below laced with tiny cars. It's one of those experiences that can't even be described! Just standing and looking across the city was the perfect way to start the trip and sparked my excitement to explore each and every part possible in the few days I was able to.
Central Park
A snowy Central Park is another memory that will always stay with me. I was so excited to be able to visit somewhere I've seen in so many movies (as corny as it sounds). We walked through the park, laughing as we slipped on the icy paths, stunned at the beauty of the snowfall. Perfect blankets of snow covered the grass and painted the branches and lampposts. How wonderful it must be walk through there each and everyday. We watched those skating on the ice rink and the children playing in the snow with their families. It was so comforting to explore the natural beauty amongst the skyscrapers and roads. A calm amongst the busy city and a familiarity amongst the unknown. I can imagine Central Park is as great as it was all year round, but the snow-covered grounds just made it even more magical. I couldn't have asked for a better morning, enjoying a different side to the New York I had met at the top of the Rockefeller.
Times Square
The first time we visited Time Square, we had managed to get a bit lost and had to walk absolutely ages before we could say we were close. We studied our map, desperate to tell us we were close when we turned the corner to see that right in front of us was the Times Square we had been searching for. We stood in a row, our mouths gaped open, in shock at the amazing sight. Another tourist offered to take a picture for us (
far right), saying we looked so excited to be there. He was right! The rows of shops, covered in bright lights and flashing screens. The busy atmosphere of happy shoppers and excited tourists. We didn't know where to start! We looked in all the different American shops, some that we can't get here in the UK and some just because it was Times Square, like M&M World. We walked up the steps to get a full view of the place and couldn't believe our eyes. '
We are actually in Times Square in New York City' I thought to myself over and over again. To be somewhere you hear so much about, see so much on TV and know you'd do anything to visit, to
finally be there was one of the best things in the world and us girls shopped to our hearts content and loved each and every second we spent there.
The Statue of Liberty
We managed to take a little trip on a boat to see The Statue of Liberty in all her glory. We never actually planned to do this so it was a little extra that was so much fun. It was amazing to see such a famous landmark in the flesh and hear and see all the excited people around me, pointing and gasping with excitement. We had so much fun on that little boat too, holding each other to mimic the scene in Titanic and laughing as we took pictures against the stunning canvas. One of the best things about the trip was the atmosphere. Being with a group of people all so excited to see the sights of New York City completed the already incredible memories.
I'd love to go back to New York City, I'm certain one day I will. Everything that made up the trip was perfect, we even got to visit a little diner for breakfast to complete the whole experience. My trip to New York made me realise to never push something out of mind. I've dreamed of going to New York and now I have! It would have been easy to let a fear of flying or visiting a different country put me off, but when would I get this chance again? If you ever get the chance to visit this beautiful city, don't say no! Thank you New York for being such an amazing host and leaving me with memories to last a lifetime.
- Becca x
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