My Birthday in New York City
Have you ever listened to the sound of waves splashing against a pier? What about traffic moving 60 miles an hour on a bridge far away? Multiple helicopters whirring right above your head asynchronously?
Well, if you’ve ever been to a pier onlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, you would be able to listen to this mixture of ambient sounds that are just noises when heard individually, but when they’re heard together it feels like music. Music that gives a special vibe, making you feel a part of the busiest city in the world.
It was my birthday. 2019 was very exciting for me. I was traveling around the world for business conferences, meeting people from all walks of life, and multiple cultural backgrounds. Every city has its charm and uniqueness, but New York City has something more. Maybe it is the history that lingers around in the city for decades together. In my opinion, the ‘spirit of New York’ is more than just an intangible feeling. I understood this fact when on my birthday I walked across downtown Manhattan and sat on a high rise stool in Pier 17 onlooking the East River.
I saw people young and old. Black, White, and Asian alike, chattering away in a hundred different languages. For some reason, it all sounded the same to me. Whatever language I heard, all of them had paused at similar intervals that were followed by laughter.
Pouts, Poses, and Selfies for Instagram were occasionally interrupted by a ferry that carried almost the same lot of people across the river. I saw a lot of tiny devices springing up to take photos whenever a ferry passed by.
The older ones seemed to be least bothered about capturing the moment. They were enjoying the sight, hands-free, and soaking in the view with their naked eyes. Isn’t that the best lens in the world? I thought to myself.
Most young people were either with a gang of friends, a lover, or with kids. The ones who weren’t with anyone were busy grinning broadly, giggling and almost blushing as they whisper into their mobile phones or have their eyes glued to the screens as their fingers tap-danced on the screen.
Such is the beauty of these places. They remind you dearly of the people you love. Makes you want to share moments and experiences in these places, with people you love.
Two people. Probably in their late twenties who must’ve just gotten off work came there engaged in a heated debate, only to take a break and be awed by the magnificent beauty that this view was.
An old couple was playing scrabble. I could see the man smiling ear to ear as he placed one letter after the other. Once he was done, he got off his chair, did a little dance, and threw his hands up in jubilation. The old woman who is probably his wife was smiling and I think she was embarrassed by his antics. I would like to think that the woman let him win because that is what women in love do. Aren’t they the sweetest?
The sun was completely down now and a very cool breeze started hitting my face and ran through my hair.
The bridge lit up. The buildings in Brooklyn across the river started lighting up with shiny bright little lights. Red, yellow and white, casting a long reflection on the water that was already lit white and grey by the rising moon.
I wondered how many people sat there thinking about their worries at work or home and watch them fade away, thanks to the magic that this place had to offer. What fascinates me the most about places like these is that people come and people go. The view, environment, and setting remains the same though, never failing to trigger emotions in each and everyone who visits.
I’m sure a lot of people cried here, laughed here, celebrated here, probably even broke up here. Shared food, shared love, shared memories, created art, consumed art, and probably even fought here. I am sure that there is something for everyone here, for there is never a dull moment.
I spent four hours of my 25th birthday here, sitting and gazing at these marvelous sights, doing nothing. I can do it again, all day, every day.
I thought I probably should leave when I saw a young Jewish couple who came and sat near me with coffee in their hands. I didn’t understand a word they spoke, but I could see that the guy adores the girl and is trying to confess his feelings to her. I can relate to him and I can understand how much easier, and romantic it would be when there is no one around but them, when he does it. So I wished him good luck in my head and left.
Fascinating right? This reminded me of something my friend said a couple of days back, “Irrespective of where they are from, Humans are cute.”
