My roommates and I lucked out with a room on the top floor of the hotel. I arrived earlier than them and found myself with a few minutes of unexpected silence - a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of traveling. I contemplated how best to spend my time - more research? Go on a hunt for a New York bagel? Scrub the stench of Newark airport off my body? In the end, I relished my hour of silence and alone time. I sat, reflecting on the moment, knowing that I probably wouldn’t get another chance to do so. 

Something about New York has always felt romantic to me - busy and dirty and expensive, yes, but alluring in a way I can’t quite pinpoint. That’s what I’d like to nail down this week: why is New York attractive to me? What about this city makes it worth pursuing? Every one of us will find our own reasons to return (or not), but we get to decide them for ourselves. Here’s to finding our New York. 

Olivia Bowman 5/5/19