New York

My first day in New York Layla and I ran from place to place like maniacs. We rushed from the airport to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and then to see West Side Story. We ogled at Lady Liberty, searched for family members and wiped tears from our eyes when Tony died. We also ate plenty of sweets and enjoyed a late dinner of frozen hot chocolate and pasta.
My second day we rushed from the Flea Market to an estate sale (where I almost puked from the smell) and then to Grimaldes and the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Later that night we watched the hilarious show The Fantastiks, played in the spray from an abandoned fire truck in Time Square, and munched hot dogs at Grey's Papaya.
Day three made me cry. We went shopping at Century 21 and then visited Ground Zero and St. Paul's Chapel. The chapel was full of letters of encouragement from around the world to all the rescue workers who helped during 9/11, photographs, paper cranes from Japan, and reminders of that dreadful day in 2001. My heart was so touched by all the brave people who helped America as it struggled to recover from such a tragedy. Then we ate at the Shake Shake where a hungry squirrel dropped his crumbs in our fries and almost lost hold of his branch and plummeted onto our table. We spent our evening sitting in the rain watching 12 Angry Men in Bryant Park.

My last day was a sad one. We ate an amazing breakfast at Cafe Lalo and then Layla took me to some of her favorite antique shops. We probably could have spent and entire day, maybe two, trying on all the beautiful clothes and digging through all the forgotten treasures some of those shops held.

I enjoyed my time with my beautiful cousin so very much. It was nice to spend some time doing her favorite things and getting to know her better. It was also just wonderful to be in New York City again. I love the sounds, smells, and sights of the city. There is nothing like New York. It makes me feel so alive! I could spend months just walking the streets observing the different cultures, hearing the different languages, and gazing up at the distant tops of buildings. I can't wait to go back.