New York, always a unique and fun place, is especially so at Christmas. Spirits are lightened (and flowing!), hearts are warm(er), the pace slows – just a little. There’s the sence that things are closing – ‘the books’, the year, the season. The feeling is one of relief plus the inevitable question – where did that year go?

The city celebrates through its buildings, with skyscraper tops painted in red and green lighting, snowflakes are projected across the Rockefeller Center and, at every opportunity, lights of all kinds bring the seasons shapes and symbols to life.

I was in the city the night ‘the tree’ was switched-on. Just three blocks from my hotel the Rockefeller Christmas Tree switch was thrown by the mayor, Lionel Ritchie and Alec Baldwin (don’t ask!), and the tree’s 30,00 lights were illuminated. I didn’t see the ceremony, the crowds were enormous and streaming by the hotel entrance, enough to make me keep my distance. Kids were in abundance, enjoying a night-in-the-city. NYPD were everywhere, but it was nice evening and the festive season prevailed.

Wall Street and the NY Stock Exchange joins the party with its own tree, though not as prestigious nor the quality of the Rock Center.

I like NY, it knows how to enjoy!

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 9th, 2006 at 10:14 pm and is filed under Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.