Travel

[trav-uh 1] • noun

“The only thing you buy that makes you richer”.

Let me start by saying this: if you’re going to take a trip, double-check your hotel reservation dates. This is a lesson I learned the hard way as I stepped off the plane in New York City, all excited to start my vacation, only to realize I’d booked my hotel… a month ahead. Yes, you read that right. A month ahead. How on earth did that slip through the cracks? Maybe I was too caught up daydreaming about NYC skylines.

Anyway, after a few minutes of panic and frantically scrolling through last-minute hotel options, I found one available-because of course there’s always something available if you’re willing to cough up almost $3,000. Yep, I had to shell out a whopping $2,950 for a last-minute room. Not my finest financial decision, but hey, New York was calling!

Now, let’s talk about my hotel. It was brimming with Asian couples, and let me tell you, I love watching the Asians. They have this flair about them. Their fashion sense? Immaculate. And if you meet the super-rich Asians, you know you’re in for a show. The luxury, the style – it’s next-level. Everywhere I turned, there was a gorgeous display of PDA, and the nudity? Well, let’s just say the levels of public nudity in New York made the United Kingdom look like child’s play.

After the hotel fiasco. (and a brief moment of disbelief at my oversight) I needed to shake off that hefty financial blow. First stop: The Summit.

Imagine soaring 1,100 feet up, surrounded by glass, looking out at the city stretched below you. It was surreal-like floating above it all, untouchable. Every dollar I spent felt like it disappeared into the clouds. The views were worth it, though! If you’re ever looking for an experience that screams “big city magic,” this is the place.

I decided to embrace the chaos. The city’s energy is contagious, and once I shook off the hotel hiccup, I was ready for what NYC had to offer.

Picture this: I’m hundreds of feet in the air, gazing over the city, and suddenly everything feels right again. That view alone could justify the hefty hotel bill (almost).

But let’s talk about the real New York experience: the taxis, or rather, the Uber rides that weren’t cheap. At some point, I realized I was single-handedly keeping the city’s rideshare economy afloat. So, I did what any budget-conscious traveler would do – I walked everywhere. Seriously, my legs have never been in better shape.

After my visit to the summit, I spent my evening at the Electric lemon. A beautiful rooftop restaurant with the most amazing view of Newyork and the Hudson yard. Let me tell you, Electric Lemon is the kind of place that makes you feel glamorous just by walking in. The drinks, the music, the vibe – it was the perfect way to celebrate and shake off the stress of my earlier hotel debacle. The night was electric in every sense of the word.

But absolutely nothing had prepared me for the tipping culture in the US of A. I was stunned to say the least and after taking up a couple hundred dollars in food and alcohol bills I tipped my amazing waiter a whooping 25% of the total amount spent. (Kinda a hefty price to pay for dining in a boujiee restaurant). I left the restaurant feeling both fulfilled and tipsy.

By the second day, my cousin took me on the craziest train ride of my life. I thought I had seen it all, but New York’s subway system? It’s like a ride at an amusement park where you have no idea what’s coming next. Between the characters on the train and the stops that seemed to come out of nowhere, I realized this is the real New York experience – unpredictable, chaotic, and completely unforgettable.

We hopped on a boat cruise to see the Statue of Liberty. If you’ve never seen Lady Liberty up close, do it. There’s something surreal about gliding across the water with the Manhattan skyline behind you. It’s a scene straight out of a movie, and for a moment, I felt like the main character.

Of course, no trip to NYC would be complete without indulging in some serious nightlife. We checked out the Korean shopping center (because shopping and eating go hand in hand). I ate the most amazing bbq chicken that was grilled right in front of me..😉 coupled with the very famous rice wine that the Koreans are widely known for. It was a delight to my palette.

Now, I’m not going to lie – there was also a little window-shopping for diamonds in the city. I may not have purchased anything (I mean, after spending nearly three grand on a hotel, my wallet needed a break), but walking through NYC’s diamond district made me feel like I was part of something sparkly and exclusive. A girl can dream, right?

But, if you think the adventure stops there, you’re mistaken. The highlight of the trip wasn’t the skyline, the diamonds, or even the Statue of Liberty – it was Christopher, the cute, handsome American guy I met at a bar. Now, usually, white guys aren’t my type, but there was something about him – maybe it was the laid-back charm or the way we both got sucked into the bartender’s endless stories about his love life and New York. And trust me, this bartender had stories for days. If nothing else, he was entertaining, and he unknowingly set the stage for a connection I didn’t see coming. it was like we had our own personal stand-up comedian serving us drinks. Between Christopher’s good looks and the bartender’s endless anecdotes, I had one of those “this could only happen in New York” kind of nights.

Christopher and I hit it off, which was unexpected but kind of exciting. New York has this way of surprising you – whether it’s with a hotel disaster, a perfect skyline view, or a person you never thought you’d meet. By the end of the night, I was laughing, sipping cocktails, and realizing that this trip, despite its hiccups, was turning into something unforgettable.

By the time I left, I had spent more than I planned (okay, way more), but I walked away with memories that money can’t buy. Booking that hotel by mistake? Yeah, not my brightest move. But everything else? Priceless. Whether it was soaring above the city at The Summit, cruising with family past the Statue of Liberty, or unexpectedly hitting it off with a guy who wasn’t my usual type – it all reminded me why I prefer spending money on experiences rather than things.

So, here’s the takeaway: sometimes the best moments come from the most unexpected oversights (though I don’t recommend spending over $5,000 to learn that lesson). From the stunning views at The Summit to impromptu conversations with strangers, New York delivered. Financially wise? Probably not. Worth every penny? Absolutely.

I wouldn’t trade my whirlwind New York adventure for anything. Because at the end of the day, it’s the stories, the people, and the moments that make life truly rich.

If you’d like to get in depth scoop and all the juicy details then go watch on my YouTube channel and don’t forget to subscribe https://youtu.be/xeIWdaJ-1rM?si=LjCRWfv4BYSeyb_l