New York, New York: An Unconventional Guide

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New York holds a special place in my heart, it holds a miracle there. You see, two years ago this past April my mom was told she had a basketball sized tumor in her stomach. Fear, oblivion, uncertainty all settled in. How would my mom and dad be able to afford treatment for my mom with no medical insurance? I remember the early morning hours when I first found out her diagnosis. I cried. I hid away. I called Josh. The word cancer was not uttered. We prayed and cried out to God.

A week after finding out about the tumor, my parents were on their way to New York for my mom to take place in a essentially free to her research cancer treatment study. She settled down in to her apartment in Manhattan on Wall Street. The 11th floor with a window that overlooked the city.  

My two visits to New York have been no less than magical. What made my time there so magical, you ask? Let me share with you my unconventional guide to New York:

+ If you ever happen to find yourself in New York, for any period of time, make the absolute most of it.

+ Rent an apartment with a window that looks across the city.

+ From that window be sure to people watch non-stop. My sister and I would sit in my mom's living room and people watch till the wee hours of the night.

+ Sleep on the apartment couch, leave the blinds up, and let the light and noise from the city pour in. Don't get annoyed by the loud dump trucks at 2 am. Just embrace it as part of the city's culture.

+ Wake up early and go get a smoothie from the food cart right outside the apartment. Then run down the street and grab something new you haven't tried from a food truck. Feed some of it to the pigeons. 

+ Visit Central Park. Walk slowly, take it all in. Go there multiple times to see it all. Watch all the artists with their puppets, drawing portraits, dancing, singing, playing instruments. Go ahead and throw some change in their tip jar. You just might make their day. Be sure to tell them how well they are doing.

+ Go visit the Museum of Natural History, but don't do it on the same day that you visit Central Park. Your feet will be screaming at you, loudly.

+ Be sure to go to the 2nd Ave Deli. Order the hot corned beef sandwich, Matzoh Ball soup, and a chocolate soda. Even if you don't have to use the bathroom, just walk in there and press the button on the toilet to watch how the sanitize the seat. Afterwards, go visit the Empire State building. Be sure to get the ipod that they offer for 10 extra dollars that tells you all about the history of NY. It is very worth it.

+ Eat greek food and then go to the bakery shop and buy a pack of macaroons. 

+ Grab a cupcake from Crumbs bakery and take it down to Seaport to eat. Be sure to take fancy photo's of it.

+ Walk all the streets of New York. As much as you can. Ride the subway to Rockaway beach. Pick up a bag of chips and sandwiches to eat while the waves crash at your feet. Share with the seagulls. It'll make for great pictures.

Just remember, if you ever find yourself in New York to make the most of it, to have a good time, and to create an adventure that you will never forget.