Working as a flight attendant on a trip assignment to New York, I can still remember my excitement as our plane started its descent. Looking down from the plane’s galley window, I saw magnificent views of undulating Manhattan skyscrapers. I felt butterflies in my stomach, that same feeling you get when you’re on a first date with the boy (or girl) of your dreams. I was eager to get off the plane, and as I strapped my seatbelt before landing, my anticipation tremendous. I could already feel the energy in Manhattan that night, waiting for me to uncover. It was my first time to set foot in the city and I was young, curious, and restless.
It was also on that same flight when I met a Frenchman named Michel, who I’m still in touch with up to this day. On my first trip to France, he invited me to visit him in Avignon, a city in southeastern France’s Provence region. En route, my cousin and I had quite the adventure via the three-hour TGV ride from Paris, filled with a lot of laughter and memories we will forever treasure together. When Michel picked us up at the station, he told me he lived with his partner, Louie. “I’m a om-seshual,” he told me. Unable to fathom the words he just uttered, I curled my nose, the thing I do when I have no idea what people are saying, and asked,”what do you mean?” He asked me if it was a problem, if it bothered me that he’s homosexual, it was only when I understood what he said. I laughed and told him it did not bother me one bit. It is, however, strange to me that homosexuals have to “confess” about their sexual orientation when heterosexuals are not subjected to the same expectations, so why should they be? It would be like me saying to someone I first meet, “hi, I’m Boots, I’m heterosexual!” Honestly, it’s no one else’s business who people choose to love. (Last I heard Michel and his new partner were trekking the Himalayas).
Since then, I’ve fallen madly in love with New York and have made lasting memories each time I visited. I’ve also lived there for a year, flying back and forth from JFK and La Guardia airports in 1995, before I moved to Tokyo with my husband shortly after our honeymoon in Italy. The time I was based in New York was probably the highlight of my airline career. The most memorable was a trip to Athens, Greece, where I was asked by the scheduling department, as a favor, to cover the assignment due to shortage of staff. Glad I did because on our way back to the States, the second officer accidentally opened an armed door and blew a slide. As a result, we stayed another night in Athens and had to share a hotel room with two other flight attendants, something out of the ordinary. But that’s not what made that trip extra-ordinary. Once we found out we were there for another night and none of the first class meals were consumed, our crew bagged everything up, from the caviar to the champagne. We brought all the goodies with us to the hotel and had a feast by poolside. If cellphones were already available then, we probably would’ve all been in trouble.
More recently, in the years 2012, 2013, and 2014, I went back each summer— for three years in a row—yet still couldn’t get enough of it. I have an inexplicable love affair with New York and if you ask me about a soul mate or a true love, I will tell you it’s not “who” but rather “where”.
This year, after exactly three years of being apart, I’m back to celebrate a milestone birthday. I normally don’t like celebrating my birthdays, and I never spend it away from my husband and two sons, but this year I felt I needed to be in New York , the city where I feel most alive.
It is after all the day of my birth, when I should feel most alive! So on that day, I crossed the Brooklyn Bridge! Because the next chapters of my life is unknown as life is always unpredictable. So I ask myself what happens next? Well, I’ll just cross the bridge when I get there. 😜
You take beautiful photos!
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I luv NY!!! I am glad u dropped by as it made me miss u and I came to read this post! I am not writing on the blog much because I finally started writing privately. Well if its good enough maybe it will turn into something special.. Thx again !!
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Hello Alesia! Yeah I’ve missed you! Please don’t abandon your blog and write privately. We all want to read what you’re up to! 😊
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You are so sweet. I will be around. You are very kind. I am going to continue . I just have to say when you are writing on the side and want to put your heart and soul into – you realize the huge sacrifice and energy needed. It just leaves me with little strength to give my all here, but I will not abandon. I always have ideas! You are very very kind!
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I’ve never been to NY, after seeing your pictures I think I should. Nice bridge picture!
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Oh thanks! Yes do go! It’s so much fun there!
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NYC is pretty special though Boots. One of my favourite places. And wait….you’re heterosexual??! Why didn’t you tell me!!!???? 😀
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Hahaha!! Why, you never asked! 😜😂😆
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Lol! 🙂
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Going to new york has always been in my list, hope someday. Happy birthday! Many happiness returns 🙂
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Thank you so much!! New York is definitely a must visit for everyone who love big cities.
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Thank you Larry!! I can’t believe you haven’t been to New York! lol! Let me know if you do go!
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Oops sorry this reply for someone else lol.
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New York is such a great city! I traveled on business there quite a bit in the early 2000’s. Even had Thanksgiving dinner in the Window on the Worlds restaurant in the World Trade Center in 2000. Glad you were able to visit NYC, wish you a belated, but very Happy Birthday!
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Hi Larry!! Wow it must’ve been so nice to have had dined at Window on the Worlds! That must have been a great experience. I’m jealous. You know that I never even went to WTC and I’m so embarrassed to say that. Now I will never get to see it 😰
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Hi Boots, Dinner at Windows on the World is a bittersweet memory. I feel fortunate that we just happened to have our Thanksgiving dinner there after the Macy parade earlier in the day. It’s strange to think back to that beautiful setting and to think it’s now gone. It’s kind of like being in Kathmandu and the earthquake happened just a few months later. Two very dramatic changes in the world.
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Fine post. I’ve never been to NY but I will someday.
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I hope you get to go someday! I’ll have more posts later.
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Happy birthday!! I just love your storytelling so fantastic! And amazing you’re still friends with Michel! I love Manhattan too. I’ve only been twice but always hanker for a trip there! I hope you enjoyed being in your spiritual home. Much love
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But you’re fortunate to be from London, where it’s equally as interesting! 😊
Thank you for the bday greeting. Hope all is well with you and the two cuties!!
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Hi Boots,
Happy birthday!
Interesting timing for you to post this. I’ve never been to New York, and am seriously considering a trip some time in the next few months (probably fall). Question for you – I don’t really have a lot of holidays to work with – so I need to make it a weekend and add a few days, but how long do you think would be good for a first time trip to New York? Would 4 nights be sufficient to at least get a sense of the city?
Any advice from a New York veteran would be appreciated 🙂
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Hi Drew! Thanks for the greetings!
Yes 4 nights would be sufficient to be in NYC. There’s plenty of things to do and see so make sure you maximize your stay. When I go, I don’t do all the touristy stuff anymore and so I focus on the fun stuff such as shopping and bar hopping. Rooftop bars are a great way to see the skyline as well. When you’re ready to go let me know. I can recommend some places for you. I’ll give you my email. New York is seriously my favorite city in the whole world. More than Paris! 😊
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Awesome. You can always reach me through thezombieshuffle@outlook.com.
Thanks
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