Exploring New York
Our first full day in New York began early due to the excitement. Milo and Peaches, the two adorable dogs from the family S., mistrusted me the first few days and growled in the hallway the instant I stepped through the bedroom door...
“Live your life by a compass, not a clock.” — Stephen Covey
A meeting before breakfast
The first thing on the agenda was a meeting with the New York-based accountant. We met I. at the Tomato Wars a couple of days earlier. We walked through Central Park to the office, passed by Trump Tower, and entered the skyscraper I. works in.
The security guards stopped us upon entering the building. We had to give our ID cards and they rang to confirm whether we had any business there. K. walked out of an elevator after being called to guide us to the correct office. We prepared the tomato wars together last week, it was a big surprise to see him in this completely different setting.
The first thing I noticed walking out of the elevator and taking my first steps into the office, was the stunning view over New York. I. greeted us and discussed the school and the fundraiser over coffee.
Once the meeting ended and we were standing back on solid ground, we ate bagels—you eat bagels when in New York, right?
Truth be told, the New York bagels really are something else! They are so delicious, especially the one with salmon! We felt like locals since we ate our bagels, just like hundreds of New Yorkers, outside on public tables and benches between skyscrapers, outside the Big Apple.
A tour through Central Park
After lunch, we retraced our steps toward Central Park and searched for our pedicab driver. We purchased the 'New York Pass ' a couple of months in advance, enabling us to do fun tourist activities for a better price. Some activities were even wholly included in the pass—like this pedicab tour through Central Park.
Our driver was hilarious. He took funny pictures with us, showed us some nice places, and gave us some insights into the history of New York, all while cracking jokes and making witty comments.
In Central Park, the driver showed us the Friends fountain, the bridge from Elf, and the Spider-Man kiss bridge, where in the movie Stuart Little, people were having a boat competition, and many other interesting places. I strongly recommend that everyone who visits New York look into the New York City Pass and try out the pedicab to see Central Park in a different light.
At the end of the tour, we thanked and tipped the driver - how American - to continue our day.
The first of many Skydecks
We walked to the Top of the Rock, took the elevator to the Skydeck at Rockefeller, enjoyed the stunning view, and learned about this phenomenal building and its history, before walking all the way back to the Upper East Side.
The Rockefeller Center, built during the Great Depression, symbolized New York City's resilience. This project created thousands of jobs, giving hope and stability to families during difficult economic times.
Rockefeller Center became a cultural and economic hub, hosting iconic landmarks like Radio City Music Hall and the Christmas tree lighting tradition. This ambitious project helped New York during a time of despair and solidified its position as a global capital of opportunity and progress, the realization of the American Dream.