I still love you, New York

We meet again, New York. It’s been 15 years since last time. I was younger and curious with unrealistic expectations, while you were still in recovery from a horrible event. One year had passed since 9/11 but I could still see it in your eyes. The suspicion with which you regarded me, searching for hidden agendas that never were.

Now I’m back and our roles are somewhat reversed. Like River Song and the Doctor, we meet again under different circumstances. You have risen from the ashes, cleared out some rough ends and the Big Apple hype has even surpassed passed hey-days.

Sunset from Empire State Building.

Me on the other hand, I’m a bit weary. As Indiana Jones would put it, “it’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage”. A bittersweet reunion, to say the least.

But I still love you, New York.

“The world won’t wait and I watched you shake
But honey, I don’t blame you
Hell, I still love you, New York”
— Ryan Adams, New York New York (2001)