Wacky Holidays

I checked my phone as I busted out of the front doors of Baruch. 1:50. Class had gotten out early, and I had my whole day ahead of me. As I looked up at the sky and felt the familiar chilled breeze of November, I reckoned it was a beautiful day. Time for a stroll.

I took an unorthodox trail to the train station that day. I walked around twenty-fifth street, up the avenues and through parks, past skyscrapers and hole-in-the-wall stores that I never passed. It was simply beautiful.

The station was in sight, and I took in my last few glances as I crossed sprawling Sixth Avenue. But as I walked, I saw yet another wonder. A huge pick-up truck, dusty to an almost disgusting degree – an odd sight to see in New York – with writing on the exterior. Someone had thumbed “Happy Holidays” in the gathering dust of this car. It brought a smile to my face as I passed, and on to the train. But then I paused, ran back, whipped out my phone and took a picture. The marvels of technology.

I’ve been looking forward to Christmas in the city for a while now. It’s my favorite time of year. Christmas songs have been blasting in my room weeks before Thanksgiving, and I covered my room in Christmas lights ages ago. Christmas just brings such a warm, jovial feeling to me and who knows, hopefully those around me. And in New York City no less! The magic of the city goes unnoticed to us sometimes, but Christmas brings New York to life like I have never seen. At night, with everyone bundled and skating in Bryant Park, it seems like a black and white film full of joy and wonder.

This odd little reminder just goes to show the change of pace New York goes through during the Holidays. Everything slows down for you, everyone seems to be happier. Some sadder. But mostly people seem to be more jovial – and if you don’t believe in the Christmas spirit, here in NYC, that is just fine by me. But it’s never fun being the Grinch.