I arrived in the afternoon in New York City. Before booking a couple of months back my Miles & More award flight, I had consulted ChatGPT on how to beat the jet lag. The advice I got based on my input was arrive during daytime hours to experience dusk, go out and move and stay awake at least till 10 pm.
Boarding in Munich & Landing in New York City (JFK)
I stayed at a hotel on 5th Avenue so there was always something to hear that could keep you awake if you are a light sleeper.
My first evening, I spent at the 18th birthday party of Internations at 5th & Mad to fight the jet lag and staying awake. Luckily, just around the corner from my hotel.
Great Gatsby Gala/ 18th Anniversary InterNations
The second night, I went on a night bus tour from Time Square on an open top double-decker that was supposed to leave at 8 pm and left with 70 min delay. I saw all the major sights like Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, Bryant/ Madison Square/ Washington Square Park, drove by Little Italy and China Town and crossed into Brooklyn on Manhattan Bridge with a great view on Brooklyn Bridge. Bring some warm clothes - it’s windy up there and remain seated or one of the traffic signs might knock you out.
Time Square
Night skylines
On Sunday night, I went to Madison Square Garden - an arena that is home to the New York Rangers (ice hockey) and the New York Knicks (basketball) and hosts also concerts, dog shows and bull riding. The ice is frozen at the beginning of the season and then covered with a layer of rubber whenever something other than hockey is on. I enjoyed a concert by Dua Lipa who did a great show. Earlier that day, I joined a tour and learned a lot about the history (like it’s the fourth Madison Square Garden) and its defining moments, e.g. the box fight between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.
There is a memory for every day of the year - Shakira was there and
Billy Joel performed on my 4th birthday.
The stage 8h apart - during the tour and during Dua Lipa's concert
On top and below
On Tuesday, the last night of the first segment of the trip, I met with Viola at Hao Noodle for dinner and we talked about life since she returned to the US. The food was great, but it was very cold and loud in the open space of the main room. We then walked together to Penn Station/ Madison Square Garden before we said goodbye and headed off in different directions.
First night in Washington, I met Julianne for dinner who was also an exchange student that I hosted two years after Viola. We had American food at a diner and updated each other on our life, what’s going on in Munich and everything else.
Second night, I met Syddia - a fellow AIESEC alumna from Panama living in DC - close to the White House. Due to visits by the presidents of Turkey and Israel those days the area was quite locked down and I got a security screening when entering the Williard Hotel. We ended up at Vue on the top floor of Hotel Washington around the corner. There, we had a great sunset view on the Washington Monument and the White House. We had a lovely and expensive dinner and followed up with a drive around town before Syddia dropped me at my hotel.
Back in New York, I spent Friday night at the Yankees Stadium watching the New York Yankees against the Boston Orioles. Very entertaining, several home runs, strike outs and sing alongs. I admit I only have a rough idea of the rules. I also got a hotdog and fries - nothing to write home about. As the Yankees won, the evening ended on a high note with everyone singing New York, New York.
Saturday afternoon, I met for drinks with alumni from AIESEC Life and continued for dinner with some current AIESECers of the US, Canada and Japan. We had great conversations and it was a good time hanging out.
AlumNite in NYC
For Sunday, I started the evening with a sunset cruise around New York up to the Statue of Liberty and then walked back downtown. Stepping into Mercer Labs felt like stepping inside a living digital dream, where immersive light, sound, and interactive installations constantly shift around you. You are not just a visitor or observer but can participate in creating art.
Sunset cruise with great views of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline
Mercer Labs
ball pit
My creation coming to life and
then roaming through the virtual environment on the screens and displays.
My last night in New York I had another dinner with Viola (and her little dog) and this time we went for Korean BBQ at Miss Korea. After our final goodbyes, I headed back downtown for my hotel.
Chris with Viola and her dog
The trip isn’t over yet — next stop: Washington, D.C. Follow Leaving L.E. and come along for the next part.
