United States > New York, New York

The Z Hotel has a shuttle bus to Manhattan. In about fifteen minutes, we are dropped off at the 59th Street subway station. From there, we take the subway all the way to the tip of Manhattan. When we emerge above ground, we are in Battery Park. I can see the Statue of Liberty standing there. Behind us lies the Financial District. The new One World Trade Center skyscraper towers above the city’s skyline.

United States - Rocks along the shore

Around this new skyscraper is an impressive memorial for the 9/11 attacks, which occurred exactly fifteen years ago tomorrow. A truly moving place. We walk through Brookfield Place, with its trendy shops, heading toward the Soho district. It is hot today—the temperature is over 32 degrees Celsius. The heat lingers between the tall buildings. Soho is characterized by its brick buildings with cast-iron fire escapes facing the street. Many film chase scenes have been shot on these fire escapes in New York. At the restaurant The Dutch, we order brunch, as we hadn’t eaten anything that morning. I then wander further through the city. Two Dutch people on the shuttle bus this morning had recommended the High Line. On the elevated route of an old railway line, there is now a walking path with plenty of greenery. The High Line starts at Chelsea Market. The railway literally runs through this old market hall. Today, modern shops occupy the space under the traditional roof. From Chelsea Market, I start walking along the High Line. People sit along the path under the shade of the trees.

United States - A walking promenade on the spot where a railway used to run through the city

Because the railway is elevated, I don’t have to stop at every street crossing for traffic lights. I follow the path past Penn Station, more than two and a half kilometers further. I quickly look for water. Walking in the sun on the elevated path was hot. I continue about ten more blocks to Times Square. It is crowded at the city’s most famous square. All around me are bright billboards. Street performers dressed as the Statue of Liberty try to earn money. A supporter of presidential candidate Johnson tries to persuade me. In vain—I don’t have voting rights in the U.S. We talk briefly about U.S. politics. A man listening asks me afterward who he should vote for—Trump or Johnson. I really have no idea. Johnson seems like a good choice to me. Around Times Square are huge stores. I enter the M&M store, which spans three floors selling all kinds of merchandise related to the chocolate-covered peanuts. How can a brand be stretched this far? Other brands also go big. In Central Park, tranquility returns. While we sit for a while on the grass, squirrels watch us. At the end of the afternoon, we take the shuttle bus back to the hotel. From the rooftop terrace on the twelfth floor, we watch the sun slowly set behind New York. A beautiful farewell to the city and a fitting conclusion to the trip.