New York is a metropolis of constant motion
Words by Alexandra Alden
Hop over, via Amsterdam, to the city that never sleeps if you want to feel like you are in the centre of everything.
“I need to buy new shoes again, these ones lasted a year. I walked along the Chelsea Line, in Brooklyn found a tear...” These are the opening lines of my new song Stonefruit, set to be released on my upcoming album next year. Written during a whirlwind of international concerts, it was inspired by an autumnal stop in New York City, where I performed at the iconic Bowery Electric just in time to see the leaves changing colour in Central Park.
As I disembarked at JFK Airport, a fellow passenger heading to a sci-fi convention in Manhattan mysteriously pressed a handful of googly eyes into my palm, whispering: “Here, take these. You’ll need them.” Confused but intrigued, I ventured into the heart of The Big Apple, brimming with excitement. New York’s vastness hit me immediately. The towering skyscrapers, the constant buzz of activity – it’s a city that makes you feel like you’re at the centre of everything. Yet, despite its grandeur, New York doesn’t exude superiority. Instead, it pulses with the energy of countless ambitious entrepreneurs and hustling artists, each chasing their dreams.
I’m a firm believer that the best way to experience a city is on foot, and New York, being one of the world’s most walkable cities, beckoned me to explore every inch. Over my 10-day visit, I traversed Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, once clocking an astounding 60,000 steps in a single day. My shoes, unsurprisingly, bore the brunt of my urban adventure. As I zigzagged through Manhattan, I couldn’t help but marvel at how each district has its own distinct personality. It’s like the island is a patchwork quilt of mini-cities, each with its own vibe:
Midtown: This is where you’ll find the New York of postcards. Times Square’s neon playground, the art deco masterpiece that is the Chrysler Building, and the towering Empire State Building. It’s touristy, sure, but there’s a reason everyone flocks here – it’s electric. Say hi to the Naked Cowboy and be sure to give him a dollar.
Upper East Side: Think Gossip Girl levels of posh. Museum Mile is here, including the Met, which is basically an excuse to pretend you’re in Night at the Museum.
Greenwich Village and East Village: This is where I felt most at home: quirky cafés, vintage shops, and the kind of bars where you might stumble upon the next big thing in music. Washington Square Park is great for people-watching – meet poets, play chess and possibly end up having your portrait painted.
SoHo and Lower East Side: If you’re into fashion and want to pretend you’re an off-duty model, this is your spot. The cobblestone streets are lined with boutiques that will make your wallet weep. I treated myself to exactly one (1) overpriced coffee and hurried onwards.
Financial District: Home to Wall Street and the 9/11 Memorial, it’s a jarring mix of suited power-lunchers and sombre tourists. The contrast is striking and very ‘New York’.
Chinatown and Little Italy: These neighbourhoods bleed into each other in a delicious cultural mishmash. You can slurp noodles for lunch and twirl pasta for dinner, all within a block radius. Of course, I couldn’t resist hitting up some of the classic tourist spots. The Statue of Liberty gave me a little wave (or was that just the wind?); Central Park provided much-needed green respite; and Top of the Rock offered views that made me feel like I was in a real-life SimCity.
While Broadway remained just out of reach due to budget constraints, I did catch an intimate Novo Amor concert downtown with my cousin and reconnected with friends and family scattered across the city. New York is a metropolis of constant motion. Sirens wail, traffic hums and construction never ceases. Smoke wafts from gutters, just like in the movies, and it’s not uncommon to stumble upon a film set on any given street corner. It’s a city of smoke and mirrors, always evolving, always surprising.
As I boarded my flight back to Malta, my shoes worn but my spirit invigorated, I realised that New York had left an indelible mark on me. It’s a city that demands to be experienced, one step at a time. Unpacking my suitcase back home, I found those googly eyes nestled between my city maps and torn-up boots. It turns out that mysterious stranger was right – I did need them after all. They’ve become my quirky souvenir, reminding me that when you’re open to new experiences, every corner holds a potential adventure and every passerby a possible story – just as my time in New York proved to be.
