New York, I Love You

“Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothin' you can't do
Now you're in New York”

— Alicia Keys
Empire State of Mind

Vessel

Hudson Yards

I love New York. Being from Shanghai, NYC is the closest city in America that resembles home. I’d love to live there one day, but I’d only want to live in Manhattan. I want to be a part of NYC and bask in the busy ambience of the city that never sleeps.

I visited the city last April; it was one of the funnest weekends I had. So, I’m sharing some pics I took during my short trip.

Dumbo

Brooklyn

Well I did it. I took the most basic shot in New York, or in this case, Brooklyn. I think this is the most photographed spot in the whole state, but you know I had to do it one time. It’s photogenic for a reason. The iconic bridge looms in the distance as the brick buildings surround you all around.

NYC invokes a certain feeling in me. Home? Nostalgia? Connectedness? I don’t think I can even describe it with words, but I will reiterate the fact that I love the place. Besides Shanghai, I really don’t think there are any other cities that compare.

“These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York”

— Alicia

Favorite things I’ve done in NYC

• Met two really cool girls who showed me around the city

• Saw my high school friends who I haven’t seen in years

• Dined at my first Georgian (the country) restaurant because my friend is trying to sell his own wine there

• Ate late night /early morning pizza (why is pizza so damn good at 2am)

• Crashed a random rooftop party at someone’s apartment complex

• Ate dessert from a flower pot, though tbh it was for the Gram'

• Woke up at 6am just to get a fresh, NY bagel

• Approached by strangers asking if my Supreme hoodie was legit

• Did a bunch of fun shit that is not appropriate to write here :)

Chinatown

On my last full day, my friend had to go meet his girlfriend, so I decided to wander around the city by myself. After I exited a random church mass I walked into, I came upon the cultural gem that is Chinatown. Fate…

Anyways, it was definitely busier than the one in Boston, where I live. I always love the complete contrast of Chinatowns from the rest of the city, and the one in NYC is no exception.

I snapped this photo and cropped the hell out of it because there was so much going on. Eventually, I then came across a noodle shop that advertised traditional beef noodle soup, It’s one of my favorite meals growing up in China, so I had to get it even though I was full af… Unfortunately, it did not taste like home. RIP!

🤢

I was just trying to have a good time, then I saw this and felt so attacked. If you didn’t know, I go by “Zac”. Everyone assumes that my name is “Zach” or “Zack”, but I don’t fuck with the extra letter. ZAC. Short and to the point.

When I saw this sign, I was shook. Who is smelling me?!

On Top of the City

Views of Upper East Side

My friends and I chilling at his apartment rooftop

Night Scene

Late night NY pizzas

g o o d t i m e s

“I want to wake up in that city
That doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill
Top of the heap

My little town blues
They are melting away
I gonna make a brand new start of it
In old New York

If I can make it there
I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you
New York, New York”

— Frank Sinatra
New York, New York

Who else but me?