NYC: WEEKEND OF CONNECTION
The Occasion:
To ring in the 33rd year of calling Earth home.
To celebrate the love of our friend Josh and Robb.
DAY 1
Arrival & The First Bites
One of the best parts of living in Providence now is how easily we can get to different landscapes—the woods, the mountains, the ocean, and, of course, NYC. A quick three-hour ride on Amtrak Acela, and suddenly, we were in the heart of it all. Side note: I wish Acela was available across the entire country. Game changer.
We checked into CitizenM, a hotel chain I’m quickly becoming a fan of. After stays in both Boston and NYC, I appreciate its quirky, modern approach. It’s a strange little hotel, but it has a distinct culture and feel that I really enjoy.
With bags thrown down, there was only one logical first stop: Halal Guys. A staple for every NYC visit—because nothing beats chicken from a cart.
The city was shrouded in fog, dense clouds settling between the skyscrapers. It had a Gotham-esque energy. Taylor joked that Batman could appear at any moment. I, on the other hand, expected the Joker. That probably says something about how we both see the world, ha.
Central Park & A Glimpse of the Future
We introduced Robb to Bethesda Fountain—the site of his and Josh’s wedding ceremony in a few months. Seeing it through his eyes, imagining it as a backdrop to their vows, made the moment even more special.
I was particularly drawn to the street musicians and photo vendors. While I have only been to NYC 3 times, to me, they’re part of the fabric of NYC—adding music, movement, and character to the city.
The Chaos of Time Square
Next up: Times Square. It’s a place you have to visit, but also a place that feels oddly soulless. A fever dream of LED screens and capitalism. Welcome to America, baby.
An Escape to Governors Island
After a quick recharge at the hotel (and some ibuprofen for a nasty headache), we headed to QC Spa on Governors Island. This might be one of NYC’s best-kept secrets.
Sitting in a heated outdoor pool, looking out at the New York City skyline it was easy to feel completely disconnected from the chaos of the city. Inside, we roasted in saunas, floated in pools, and just existed—no phones, no distractions, just deep relaxation with people we love.
Pizza, Ice Cream, and a Cookie Puss Introduction
Back in Manhattan, we grabbed dinner at John’s Pizzeria—four brick ovens across 2 floors of an old theater. Highly recommend to anyone, as I will be thinking about this pizza for a while. The atmosphere was also incredibly unique.
Instead of dessert there, we opted for Carvel, specifically to introduce Josh and Robb to the absurdity that is Cookie Puss. If you don’t know what that is, I’ll leave you to Google it.
DAY 2
Shopping, The Weight of History & Reflection
The second day was mostly about shopping, which—shockingly—resulted in me spending the least.
We started at Bagel Pub, because a good bagel is something I sorely miss. Louisville had some decent options, but I haven’t found the one in Providence yet. (I digress.)
Stops included Fjällräven, Chelsea Market, Thursday Boots, and Buck Mason before heading to the World Trade Center Memorial.
I wasn’t sure what to expect emotionally. Memorials like this always stir something complex in me—deep empathy for the unimaginable pain tied to this place, but also a mental block that stops me from fully unpacking it in the moment. It’s a strange tension, one I don’t have the words for yet.
A Final Meal & The Journey Home
Lunch at Eataly wrapped up the trip before we caught our train back.
As I type this on the train, I feel full—not just from food, but from the experience itself.
Josh is dozing off, quiet little snores escaping. Robb is catching up on his phone. Taylor is deep into his latest book. And me? I’m just sitting here, taking it all in—feeling grounded, connected, and reminded of why I love big cities.
I’m ready to be home, but I’m grateful for every moment of this trip.
That’s all for now…
MENTAL MUSINGS:
I’m often reminded of a quote from Thomas Merton about the interconnectedness of humanity—that while we each live a unique experience, we are all undeniably connected. Something about being in NYC always makes this concept feel more tangible. The sheer number of people, cultures, and stories colliding in one place creates a kind of magic.
“In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness, of spurious self-isolation in a special world. . . . ~Thomas Merton
That’s it for now…
