Clever Magazine, Vol. V, #2 "New York City " (www.clevermag.com)

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I New York City!

by Monique Rider

Here's the New York City skyline from the Ellis Island ferry. We couldn't help but notice the difference.

My first trip to New York City was overwhelming to say the least. My husband and I were joined by our 17 year old daughter and we gave her full charge of the itinerary. Big mistake! She ran us ragged! There is literally something for everyone in this multicultural city. My daughter uses the following words to describe New York: "Big, noisy, fun, crowded, everything everywhere!"

This photo was taken through the chain link fence that now surrounds Ground Zero. The area still receives droves of visitors every day and is vigilantly guarded by New York City's finest.

That does sum it up and since I'm not a city person I went quickly into visual overload. However, a quieter portion of our trip included a relaxing, scenic carriage ride through Central Park. We also enjoyed seeing Les Miserables at the theater. It was a tear jerker but we'll see it again. New York has restaurants to satisfy even the most unusual palate. It's important to make reservations, though. The summer weather seemed even hotter because of all the concrete - water is a must.

The ground of the United Nations Headquarters is made up of beautiful gardens, stone statues, bronze sculptures and plaques, many of which were gifts to the UN from other countries. Here by daughter, Angie, sitting beneath the stone Trophy of Civil Rights.

What I really loved was the architecture of many of the old buildings. We attended mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral and the inside (and outside) looks exactly like cathedrals I've seen in Paris. It felt like stepping into another century. Even the New York Public Library looked like a huge museum inside. We went up two floors and still didn't see any books. It was all statues, carvings, and marble staircases. It is definitely a city I'll visit again!

Times Square bustles with activity twenty-four hours a day. It's easy to become visually overloaded by the people, the sights, the sounds and the lights. And you can't stop to look around. Everything is in motion.

Monique Rider is the owner of Trinity Coaching Services, a business that offers fitness training and personal development services to clients worldwide. Monique's mission is to use her life experiences to help others grow. To learn more about Monique, visit her website http://www.personaljoy.com
or email her: monique_rider@msn.com