spoiled nation sn 2018 2019
Photography : lauren campbell
NISEWCALLING... YORK
2 Spoiled Nation 2018 / 2019
B
right lights, beautiful people.
WRITTEN BY LAUREN CAMPBELL
T
here are all scopes of people who walk the streets of the city. A father and his daughter on the subway, a couple having a coffee outside of a Café in Soho, a woman walking down the street Givenchy hand-bag over her arm and Celine sunglasses on. Each of these individuals hold their own story, it is one that we can share together if only for a moment before they are swept up in the crowds of New York. The pace is fast and if you blink you will miss that man and his daughter or that business woman with her designer handbag, but that is New York and you have to keep up with her. From the moment my yellow cab from the airport approached the city I could feel the buzz. Cars zigzagged around me beeping at each other, city workers making their commute and tourists clutching their seats as their erratic taxi driver just cut someone else off. Sirens whirred and the buildings were growing in height all around as we edged towards Brooklyn Bridge. This was my second visit to the city but the energy felt different, being older I now recognised it more, like an electric field encompassing the city. Touch down in Times Square and it is hard not to feel overwhelmed, no matter what time of the day it is, this is the part of New York people talk about when referring to the city that never sleeps. The lights glare down on the streets, flashing images of Coca Cola, American Outfitters and the latest TV show slide past eachother on the screens, all competing for the on-looker’s attention. People swirl in and out from each-other and, given this being my first night in the city, I allowed myself to be consumed with the energy surrounding Times Square. Soon I felt myself slip into navigating around confidently but for now I allowed it to swallow me up. The noise from the car horns again, I soon found out that these never cease, the chatter from the crowds, the faint smell of sulphur smoke from the grids. I made my way down Broadway back to my hotel, just set back from central Times Square. I watched the people spill out of their shows, clutching on to each-other with laughter, all sharing a moment of joy and excitement over the experience they just shared and I eagerly anticipated my turn. Broadway is a must! There are so many amazing
shows to suit everyone’s taste, you will be spoilt for choice. Locked back in my hotel, I drifted off to the consistent hum from below floating up to my sixth floor room, usually this would annoy me but being there, it felt somewhat comforting. It’s the crack of dawn when I creep over to my window to see who’s already out for the day, making their way to the diner for corned beef hash and coffee before they continue on to work. It’s cliché and they want it to be, its their way of life. It’s quieter at this hour, there’s a slumber in the air but be sure to know the sleepiness will pass and the city will roar again, ready to tackle another day. The air is crisp, autumn fading and winter fast approaching. Central Park at this time of year is idyllic, it’s more peaceful with a lack of tourists in the city just before the Christmas season is in full swing. The leaves are crisp along the edges of the path and there’s music in the background from the ice rink. It is a given that you must visit the rink, even for the view of Essex House or just for a good laugh at the many, like myself, who can barely stand up on the ice for longer than two minutes before they are sprawled on the floor. Central Park makes for a great reference point too to get around the city, from here it is only a ten-minute walk towards Times Square if you want to go shopping on 5th Avenue. If you fancy a spot of culture, then walk twenty-minutes in the opposite direction, towards the Upper East Side, and you’ll be on the steps of The Metropolitan Museum.
Spoiled Nation 2018 / 2019 3
“ [Brooklyn
is] a fabulous way to see a
bit of native New Yorker culture and pick
�
Photography : lauren campbell
up some mouth-watering street food.
@STEPHANIECHACKO
Another great place to go shopping in the city is Soho, here lies high-end. If you want luxury and somewhere to splash your cash then look no further; Acne Studio’s, Stone Island, The Aime Leon Dore Cafe, Glossier’s Flagship, A.P.C, Chloe and Saint Laurent are to name a few stores you must visit if you have the chance, even if it is to suddenly become a façade of yourself, someone who does have the expendable income to buy a 200 dollar tee. Alongside the coolest stores tends to be the coolest foodie spots right? So try out Black Tap when you need a quick recharge from shopping, with burgers bigger than your face and gigantic shakes, I promise you will not be disappointed! If sightseeing has brought you to the city, then there is plenty of that too of course. The view from the Rockafella centre took my breath away. This is something I skipped on my last visit, and what a fool I was to do so! The Empire State’s rooftop view is beautiful on a night when the skyline is lit up, but Top of Rock is perfect through the day for the vast landscape which includes views of Central Park, The Empire State and The Statue of Liberty. It is definitely a bucket list tick, something not to be missed. I also had the chance to visit Ground Zero whilst in the City, this is something I believe everyone should do. It is incredibly haunting, however highly educational and humbling. As surreal as it may seem whilst listening to first-hand witness accounts, it is important that we take time out from the glitz and the glamour of New York to remember the bravery of those on that day and
to recognise the significance of the event that occurred in a city that otherwise never stops. If you still have time and your feet can still carry you after all that walking, visit Brooklyn and don’t take the subway there. I chose the perfect day to walk the bridge, it was Saturday morning and the city was slow, finally the locals had a morning to themselves. The air was crisp on my face but the sun was so bright! Without that chill you could have mistaken it for summer. The view of the skyline from Brooklyn Bridge is just like no other. The skyscrapers in all of their glory from this point. This walk was something I will never forget and a definite highlight from my trip, the perfect end. Once in Brooklyn visit Dumbo street, it is touristy but it offers a lovely instagram-worthy view of the bridge. Dumbo Market’s are also a fabulous way to see a bit of native New Yorker culture and pick up some mouth-watering street food.
Trust me, everyone’s adventure with the city is different and personal. You will have your own amazing expereince but hopefully mine has offered some inspiration. Have a safe trip! x.
Lauren Campbell.