The Big Apple- Take a Bite!

As soon as the lights dim and you approach the opening of the Holland Tunnel, named for Clifford Milburn Holland, the first initial engineer who died suddenly in 1924 before the tunnel’s opening (Lueng, 1927), you feel the vibration of the cars and the water, and all at once you can feel the excitement. New York City has been the quintessential big brother of Philadelphia for as long as I can remember. We (Philadelphians) market ourselves as big city folk, and yes, in some ways that’s true. But to me, those claims vanish into thin air when you visit the Big Apple.  The New York skyline is stunning, with towering skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower almost piercing the skies. Walking through Times Square is like a kaleidoscope of colors with giant screens and bright lights. It's historic architecture mixed with a bit of old-world charm. The sounds of New York are a mix of music, construction, car horns, and ambulance sirens, with the distinct sound of people walking and talking. The smells are of delicious hot dogs, pretzels the size of your head, and savory smells of some of the best food I’ve ever tasted, like Spanish Harlem for the pollo y arroz (chicken & rice) or the one-of-a-kind cheesecake from Junior’s in Brooklyn.

When I was about 7 years old, my aunts took me to the famed FAO Schwarz at Rockefeller Center. This was incredibly special because while there are plenty of stores that sell toys, which I have to admit was always interesting to me.  I mean why did we need Santa if the stores sold all the toys?  But that’s a story for a different day. FAO Schwarz was really special. The store carried the special and unique items. One of their showcases included model airplanes and rockets that had all the lights and motors to fly and move. It is a memory I have carried with me my entire life. And while FAO Schwarz has had its struggles, like most retailers, it closed in 2015 due to financial issues. It reopened in 2018 to new shoppers, both young and old. (Bova, 2018). As my Aunt’s car sped along 34th Street and I looked at all the people, even at that young age I knew this city was special. I've been back so many times, and to my surprise, the magic remains. And while this city gives me all the sensations of a home away from home, it has had its worse of times.

         For many years, my family would talk about the tragedy that was 9/11, and while I was not even born yet, there was a feeling of loss. I could not imagine a city that boasts such great places like Times Square, Central Park, and the Empire State Building went through such a horrible tragedy, it truly breaks my heart. But it did happen. On September 11th, 2001, terrorists on two planes attacked the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Almost 3000 people died, and America and Americans were forever changed. The citizens of 77 countries were among the casualties, and New York City lost 441 First Responders. (BBC, 2025). After such a tragedy, an entire world wrapped its arms around the U.S., and a rebuild of the world’s greatest city began. And I was lucky enough to be close enough in distance to witness its rebirth up close and personal. I believe that is the reason I hold New York so close to my heart. Because for a renaissance to occur after that catastrophe is nothing short of grit, determination, but most importantly love, after that kind of loss and pain. (Selyukh, 2016)

         We recently went back for my spring break last year and as always the city felt electric. We went to see a Broadway musical aptly titled “Merrily We Roll Along” starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter). It was a story about three friends who faced challenges as one of the three became famous. (Brantley, 2023). And while I am someone who has never been a big musical guy except for Hamilton (I mean, was that great or what!), the play surprised me. I loved the dress-down nature of Daniel, but I also loved the reality that friends who love one another can sometimes fall to the same jealousies, guilt, and betrayal as anybody else can As we see in the play, those relationships tend to hurt more. Now, could I see this play in Philadelphia, sure. But it would not be the same. It's something about being on Broadway, the big lights, and the people that make it so special. Sure, they charge an arm and a leg for parking. And it was raining so hard we had to pay for ridiculously expensive umbrellas, but would I exchange the time I spent with my family and the memories? Not! New York is a sensory adventure that leaves a lasting impression on all who experience it.