Aug

New York - The Big Apple

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Who has not wanted to visit New York ? There is no better place to make all your desires. Simply choose what you want to be: romantic in Central Park, trendy Soho, wasteful on Madison Avenue, crazy in the East Village, Chelsea artist, shop in Chinatown, or better yet, be any one of these people in any of these places .

The combinations are endless. After all, where in the world can be on the same day, buy two pairs of shoes for as separate watch the spectacle of the last best band of all time, eat a delicious hot dog on any street corner, bump into the your favorite celebrity, a skating rink, discover the rare copy of your favorite book and cry with the last piece of opera? If you still not convinced, remember, the Metropolitan is here, gospel choirs in Harlem, too, as the charm of art deco skyscrapers Empire State and Chrysler, the protective gaze of the Statue of Liberty , the best museum modern art world and the Broadway musical.

After the attacks on the World Trade Center, the city has changed. But still the same, since one does not exclude the other. New York will always be the same because its nature is precisely this: constantly changing. Since its discovery by Giovanni da Verrazano in 1524, even for a second she did not even discreet on the map. So much so that you may have heard millions of stories about the city. But even better is having your own to tell.

New York is fascinating, the most fascinating of all cities. Why? I do not know, say it's a matter of passion and that any rational assessment of this feeling would come here to absurdity. It was love that I felt on my first trip and also in the second, third and fourth time that I arrived here. Chaotic, noisy and polluted, has the grandeur of aristocratic Paris , the beauty, color and history of Rome or geography, the tropical climate and relaxed pace of Rio de Janeiro . It also has great monuments, buildings or secular, is not exactly welcoming. And yet, addictive and seduces our steps, drawing us into it. Maybe it's the lights that dim, electrifying energy that lives in your street, call the rampant consumption, the speed with which everything happens, the whirlwind of people, the feeling of power, power, and that anything could happen . Tempting, the "apple" attracts, let us savor it and then grabs them forever. But this is no mystery and charm of a passion?

After the first impact, is the feeling of deja vu. For wherever we go, everything seems familiar, yellow cabs, the distinctive smoke coming out of the underground pipes in cold weather, the buildings, the uniforms of the police ... The truth is that we have seen them, we know almost to detail some neighborhoods, colors, habits and movements of the city, many movies were filmed here.

Let's start with clichés. New York is full of them. High Line - The hanging gardens of New York. Fifth Avenue, or if you prefer, Fifth Avenue is one of them. Very little original suggestion to ride, but an absolute must for any tourist worth his salt, is a kind of nerve center for consumption ondeconvergem passing crowds, shopping or simply attracted by the magnificence and brilliance of the stores. It was here that the millionaire William Henry Vanderbilt built his mansion in 1883, followed by powerful families like the Astor or Gould. It was also here that houses such as Cartier and the legendary Tiffany, Gucci, Fendi, Prada, warehouses Sak's Fifth Avenue, chiquérrimo Bergdorf Goodman and the most popular (and cheap) Banana Republic and Gap established its headquarters. And because there are many symbols of power in the main avenues, will be faced with the gleaming Trump Tower, built by mogul Donald Trump in the 80's and the Plaza Hotel, which is also an icon of ostentatious luxury.

Another of the great landmarks of Fifth Avenue and one of the most visited places in New York is, without doubt, the Rockefeller Center. The first complex of buildings in the world to focus both offices, shops, restaurants, entertainment and gardens , was built between 1931 and 1940 thanks to John D. Today Rockefeller Jr. continues to merit a visit, especially in December when the Christmas lights are placed and the ice rink is filled with people of all ages to slide to the sound of songs about the season. Scenario there is no tourist, but this is a good place to go on the first night in town, it's fun and gives us the first bite of the serpent. Hardly we neglect, we are already humming a melody and a desire to skate. It is true, gentlemen, the "American way of life" is contagious and quickly!

We are in Midtown, downtown Manhattan, where cohabit the most important landmarks of the city and home to the highest concentration of unique architectural diversity in the world with some of the most innovative skyscrapers and striking of all time. It is impossible to ignore the Chrysler Building, a tower, too, art deco stainless steel decorated with radiator covers, steering wheels, cars and gargoyles inspired by a hood, built to host, precisely, Chrysler, or a little more south, the Empire State Building, the most famous skyscrapers in New York (and the world) and recently (after the attacks on the WTC) regained the title of tallest. Believe me, it's worth gaining courage, not to lose patience in queues, and climb to the observation deck in 86. Floor where Cary Grant waited for Deborah Kerr in Affair to Remember.

Another must-visit sites for lovers of architecture and nostalgia film is the Grand Central Terminal, the famous train station that was the scene of a kiss between the fugitive Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman in Hitchcock's Spellbound and where, fourteen years later, same master of suspense filmed North by Northwest. Inaugurated in 1913, Grand Central was designed by architect duo of Warren & Wetmore and became a reference port of entry and exit in the city, receiving a daily and a half million people. Until very recently hidden by pollution, with its recent restoration - carried out by Beyer Blinder Belle, the company responsible for the work in the museum of Ellis Island - Grand Central Hall and its vaulted ceiling and large marble staircases inspired Opéra de Paris , recovered its splendor neoclassical to the fullest.

Then his eyes closed ground in Times Square. When open, it will be believing in the Blade Runner, will look at all sides, and the crowd that passes, your eyes will go upwards, towards the lights and colorful posters of Broadway. It will seem even a tourist newcomer as his expression of surprise, but it does not matter because it is impossible to be indifente the show and nobody will notice you. Towering buildings, billboards and neon lights that illuminate the dark night, several background music, a cowboy with no clothes, but guitar in hand, a drummer in search of success, a siren in the middle ... Buy Time Out, decide by a musical or continue your path, dancing ...

For a good time in New York there are several options for staying, including advise: Crosby Street Hotel .

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