New York City on New Year's Day.

Start spreading the news.

It's another one for my books. I made it to this town and another entry ticked off in my must-go to list - New York City. And what perfect time to be there than New Year's Day.

Oh, we didn't make it to the center of action and catch the ball drop at Times Square but the Davao team celebrated our own countdown- counting the bottles we empty long before the clock struck twelve in Texas. There was an SOS - Houston, we have a problem - sent out not knowing where to buy more fizz at that hour.

Maybe it was for the best, the flight to the East was at early hour on the first day of the year.

We made it to the city that doesn't sleep just before the sun set in the horizon. There seem to be a difference in the energy of the place, it is quite exciting to feel it finally. It has been years since I have so wanted to visit this place. Cats was still showing on Broadway, that's how long it was. No matter, I made it to New York City!

Nothing beats starting the year in a place you have on your dream destinations. It's a dream coming true on at the start of the calendar. More great things are coming my way for sure.

Surprisingly, it was like summer. No, I am not pertaining to the weather- it was too damn cold for me- but the number of tourists in the city was teeming. Unbelievable!

Host and BFF Tenny made sure we were at the center of the action, we stayed in a chic hotel in upper Manhattan where we were a block away from Radio City Music Hall, the Rockefeller Center where it was difficult to get a good photo with the iconic Christmas Tree and the angels since everyone was wanting the same thing, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park and yes, the most important street for the shopaholic- Fifth Avenue.

New Year's nightfall in New York is just astounding. It is indeed a bright city, twice brighter in fact. The neon flashes from the giant electronic billboards were simultaneously beaming with the millions of Christmas lights set up for the Yuletide Season.

It was a great time to get lost in this city. Maybe it really doesn't sleep and this was a good time to see that for myself...if I still can.

There is so much to explore in this bustling metropolis but the strong wind was blowing a bit too strongly making the temperature feels like it's on the negative scale. Just the universe telling me to call it a night and gather the strength we will need for the coming days of exploration.

It was another happy new year indeed. In New York City no less. Perfect!

So I start spreading the news . . .

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 13, 2011.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/lifestyle/new-york-new-years-day