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Published: December 2nd 2011
Christmas in New York is unsurpassed in terms of a uniquely metropolitan experience - the lights, sights and iconic holiday displays. The rest of the winter is rather miserable, unless, of course, you come with the express purpose of enduring the cold, snowy, slushy mess that is Manhattan. I did not, and having spent the past two winters with my nose in a book or my fingers on a keyboard while staring out into the dark, dreary cloud layers, pounding out thoughts to finish off the semesters, I could not prevent the feelings of claustrophobia setting in. But (there's always a but) when all was said and done, after my extremities had thawed and there was no longer salt-laden ice melt threatening to ruin the hems of my pants with every venture outside, I realized that maybe the days between December and February aren't so bad,
if you're prepared, and
if you don't have anywhere in particular you need to be on the days during the Nor'easter blizzards and
if you make the time to enjoy it. Satisfy those requirements and it can actually be quite charming.
First and foremost I had to make a pointed effort not to wish
anyone a "Merry Christmas" because there was 50% or greater chance they aren't celebrating it. It's not so much that this is unusual, more that I'd never spent the holiday season anywhere where it was so noticeable before. It's all "Enjoy the New Year!" and "Happy Interfaith Winter Holiday!" My landlord decorated the stairwell is a amusing mixture of what I can only describe as "Christmannukah" which brought a smile to my face each as I ever time as I trudged my way upstairs trying to kick off as much smog-stained slush from my boots so as not to track it back with me. Staring out over the fire-escape from my sixth floor apartment I can look across the street and count the many menorahs lighting up window-sills at the same time that I see Christmas trees and brightly-colored lights decorating the windows of units above and below. Especially on the days that snowfall obliterates the view further out, it gives the street a cozy feel, like I'm standing in one multifarious, cosmopolitan living room.
And when I finally get the opportunity to venture out, there is plenty to do. The various 'touristy' things, which - don't let yourself
First Snow of the Season
Oh how excited I was as the first snowflakes fell near Astor Place. If only I had known what was in store!be fooled - are also being enjoyed by the denizens of the five boroughs. First the skating rink in Bryant Park opens to the public and overnight the window displays on 5th Avenue transform in seasonal show-boxes of whim and fancy. Then the Rockettes begin performing in Radio City Music Hall and the tree lights up in Rockefeller Center. Before you know it, Central Park is covered in white and the sounds of sleds, and children shrieking and the snow-crunch of boots replaces the sound of falling leaves and bird-song.
At least, those were my thoughts in December 2009. It's Christmastime once again, but I've long since graduated, we have a house, our tree is up, family is in town and I'm scrolling through the unpublished blog list trying to catch-up and create a fresh start for the new year. So many entries languishing, partially written, waiting for the day when I can finish them up, and others collecting the proverbial dust as they slip further and further into the past. I'm struck by how much I've forgotten in the last five years. Reading the words was like discovering this time of life all over again - whisked
back to that 300 sq ft apartment in the Upper East Side. Then back to the "Snowpocalypse" and "Snowmageddon" blizzards of 2010 and 2011 (making the opening observation of this blog a little premature, in hindsight). First time I'd ever experienced a blizzard. Then we got two. I'm accustom to snowfall in the mountains, but 19-22" in the city, overnight - it was amazing. The roads were quiet, subways stopped running, and people slowly emerged onto the street - work closed, businesses closed, schools closed. We woke early and went to the park as soon as the sun rose to witness the pristine fields of snow, undisturbed. I suppose that's why we blog and photograph in the first place - to capture and preserve the memories for our future selves. So - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the cusp of 2014/2015. I've finally allowed myself to let this one go - to preserve what it is, rather than configure it to meet my original expectations. Let's consider that the resolution for the year to come.
(Note regarding the photos: I'm normally not one to post duplicate photos of the same scene, but unfortunately a hard-disk
crash destroyed the original images from several months of time - so only those uploaded to Travelblog before then survived (three cheers for that!). Also the reason none of them are edited)
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
NYC
I loved your list of ifs...indeed. Your blogs are always fantastic to read. Glad you found some time to go back in time and make an attempt to get caught up. We are hoping to do NYC at the holidays. It seems like a perfect setting. Sorry you lost some photos.