Fiction, Writing

Capturing New York City

Linda Cassidy Lewis

Landmarks: Macy's and the Empire State Building
Landmarks: Macy's and the Empire State Building
Visiting New York City was never on my bucket list, but I’m home from my first trip there and I confess; I loved it far more than I expected to. I’m not averse to cities. I grew up in Indianapolis, and when I moved back to that city after living away for ten years, I was thrilled to see how much it had grown and developed its “downtown.” That was only a microcosm of Manhattan, though.

I had the impression NYC was overhyped. I was wrong. I quickly tired of the traffic and hustling crowds, but I could spend many hours in Central Park and the Museum of Natural History. It was humbling to stand quietly for a moment contemplating what the sight of the Statue of Liberty has meant to so many people.

I could feel at home in Greenwich Village, slipping into a routine of grabbing a breakfast sandwich from a deli, fruit from a sidewalk display, or a coke and a slice of real pizza. I would love spending warm summer evenings people watching or sunny winter afternoons reading in Washington Park.

I tell myself these things and yet inside, I know that I’m only capturing these scenes through my writer’s eyes. I’m creating a world in my imagination. In reality, I’d end up spending most of my time in front of this computer trying to create the stories that could very well be taking place in New York City … or my own.

Central Park in late afternoon.
Central Park in late afternoon.

A ghostly sundown in Central Park.
A ghostly sundown in Central Park.


Times Square
Approaching Times Square

Manhattan skyline over the Central Park zoo.
Manhattan skyline over the Central Park zoo.

Lady Liberty viewed from the Staten Island ferry.
Lady Liberty viewed from the Staten Island ferry.

26 thoughts on “Capturing New York City”

  1. Great photos! I too love New York-Even though I am a country girl at heart and live a stone’s throw from Boston and Providence there is something about the Apple…

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  2. It sure is the city that never sleeps.. I felt, there’s a certain rythm and spirit that runs along the winding veins of the city.. The traffic and the people can be overwhelming, yes, but somehow, from a certain perspective, they form a delightful harmony.. None better viewed, than in Time’s Square… You captured a beautiful and signature glimpse of the world’s most hyped city, that is every bit deserving of the exalted praise that comes its way…

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    1. I think you’re right, even though it was crowded and hustling, there was a sense of order to it, like machinery. I guess you just have to make sure you step out of that machine from time to time to remain human. That’s the beauty of Central Park, I think, the human heart within the machine.

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  3. Welcome back. New York is on my bucket list. I was there on a layover to London, but that doesn’t count. I would like quality time for the people watching and pizza eating.

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