7:25-9:05am

It is a cold Wednesday morning and I just came out of my music class to start my report on my experience of walking around New York City. All I can say is that, even though it is cold and early, the embrace of the city makes it all go away. I really do not know exactly what it is about it but it’s just a different experience.

I particularly like the area of Times Square. Broadway’s huge number of animated neon and television-style signage have long made it one of New York‘s iconic symbols. Just seeing all these buildings, and stores, and the different people I encounter makes this city different that any of the other counties like Queens, or the Bronx, or any other city for that matter. Even in the morning when there are not that many lights on, this city is exceptional. A lot of people like the summer to walk, but I really prefer the cold. I don’t know, maybe that’s what I’ve always thought of New York, a cold city and everybody wearing their long and expensive jackets.

It’s funny to see all these people running around. Some serious, some laughing, some happy, or sad, those who are dressed up and wondering where they just came from, and those who are so casual and wonder what they are doing. Those dressed up and wearing sneakers running to catch the train, bus, or cab. The diversity of the city is great.

Now, of course I had to come back at night. All the lights are on, like the ones of the M&M’s store and, of course the gigantic Panasonic screen. I usually come at night with my girlfriend because I think the city makes walking romantic. Just walking and holding hands makes that experience unique. Of course I can walk and hold hands anywhere else, but the embrace of the city makes it much better. Like I said before, I really do not know what it is but the city makes it different. No cars, no cabs. Just the train to get to the city, and then walk. There is not even the need to shop to feel like walking in the city has a purpose. Though, if it is too cold then we would stop for a cup of coffee at Starbucks, which are located on every corner and only New York City has them. But of course, before buying that coffee, we are forced to play football. We have to spin to evade the stampede of fast walkers.

As we kept walking towards the Virgin store, signs that announce Broadway shows, like The Lion King, or people giving out pamphlets to encourage walkers to attend these one-of-a-kind plays, bring you one step closer to being part of an event that millions travel from around the world to enjoy, and millions more simply dream about. Past the Virgin store and only a few blocks away we see the recruiting station of the Armed Forces. I really do not understand why something that has nothing to do with the bright lights, stores, shows and screens is in the middle of Times Square.

As we head to where the lights dim, we realize that in ten minutes we saw from sneaker stores, to restaurants, to Broadway plays and the army. Where else can you find this but in New York City? The whole island is a new world to me, but Times Square is the heart of it.