One of the greatest blessings about being alive is the ability to explore and enjoy all the beauty in the world. There are natural wonders, like Niagara Falls, and man-made wonders, like the pyramids of Giza. Indeed, traveling serves as a reminder that the world is full of wonder.

I have been fortunate enough to visit so many amazing sights all over America, including Hawaii and Washington, D.C. However, I have not yet had the chance to travel outside of the United States. I would love to eventually, but for now I’ll savor my experiences exploring the U.S. Out of all of the places that I have visited so far, my most memorable place to date is New York City. New York stole my heart because of my love affair with art and culture.

I am lucky enough to live relatively close to Los Angeles, but my heart yearns to be with the grandiose Broadway stages in New York City. I am a huge fan of musicals and film adaptations of those shows. When I was in New York during the summer of 2008, I was approaching my senior year of high school. During my brief stay, I visited the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, and marveled at the advertisements for Broadway musicals. New York City was simply a pleasant sensory experience!

One of my favorite parts about visiting was seeing all of the references to films that take place in New York. As a fan of Audrey Hepburn, I was filled with joy when I saw posters for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and images of Hepburn in her silky black gown. I simply adore Audrey Hepburn because of her elegance and refinement within some of the greatest motion pictures of all time, including Roman Holiday (1953) and My Fair Lady (1964). She was definitely a classy lady!

Breakfast at Tiffany’s was one of my personal favorites from the beloved actress, and it was a pleasure to walk around the city in which that film was set. Looking at the jewels from the famed store made me feel like Holly Golightly, and I imagined what it would be like as a Broadway performer or film star. I was actually really tempted to literally have “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” – I contemplated getting a pastry at a Starbucks and then eating it inside of the renowned diamond store – but I chose not to because that might seem a bit awkward in public. It surprised me that, in November 2017, Tiffany’s started allowing people to actually eat breakfast at that beloved location when they added a café. Who knew that Tiffany’s would decide to open its Blue Box Café 56 years after audiences marveled at the iconic scene of Audrey Hepburn eating a croissant in front of a famed jewelry store. I only wish I had a chance to try it out.

Not only was walking around New York a great adventure, but visiting the Empire State building was an awe-inspiring experience. The top floor contains memorabilia from King Kong (1933) and its other film adaptations. I actually visited this area three years after watching the 2005 remake of King Kong, starring Naomi Watts. Being on the top floor made me wonder what it would be like if a terrifying monster were to rampage throughout New York City and climb all the way to the top of this iconic skyscraper. It was fascinating to get that unique perspective from the top and look out across the city below. This experience was particularly memorable due to my love affair with cinema.

Even though it was fun sightseeing throughout the city, visiting Ground Zero made me a humbler human being because it was a stark reminder of the devastation that shook the world on September 11, 2001. I still remember being a ten-year old that was scared and confused by the chaos that happened on that terrible day. As I stood at the site, there was a certain sense of solemnness that led to a quiet reflection about how that day affected so many people. I also experienced a sense of gratitude for simply being alive, and being lucky that the attack did not directly affect me or my loved ones. Being at Ground Zero filled me with so many different emotions, but it was an experience that left a profound impression on me.

My favorite part about visiting New York, though, was seeing all of the marques for the various theatrical productions littered throughout the city. There were billboards and advertisements for shows ranging from Chicago to Mamma Mia!  Unfortunately, I was unable to actually watch any of those productions during my visit to New York because of financial and time constraints, but hopefully I will have a chance to in the future. Nevertheless, I was fortunate enough to roam the city while feeling like Princess Giselle from the Disney film Enchanted (2007). I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in New York even though it was only for a brief period of time.

Although the city was full of glamour, I must admit that I felt somewhat claustrophobic while walking around skyscrapers. I get the same feeling whenever I visit Downtown Los Angeles. That was the only aspect of my trip that I did not like. Ironically, being nervous made the trip even more unforgettable because I can still remember that anxious but enamored feeling that I had while frolicking around that beautiful city.

Years have passed since I was in New York, but I still think of it as both a high point and a low point in my life. Perhaps that sense of mixed emotions is why I remember it so vividly. I am not sure if I will ever return to New York City, but I can still be grateful for having a once-in-a-lifetime experience in one of the most iconic places on Earth. New York City might be on the opposite coast of where I live in California, but I can still express thankfulness for having one short day to explore all of its glamour. That memorable place will stay in my heart, mind, and soul forevermore.