When I came to New York I didn’t have a specific schedule for Times Square. I know I need to go there, but didn’t set a day for it. I just know that whenever I want to go, Times Square is just one train away and may it be morning or evening, the place will have its own present for me.

It was one hot afternoon when I unexpectedly came to pass by Times Square. I was on my way to Top of The Rock coming from Empire State Building. It was far I know, but I choose to walk instead of stressing my brain figuring out how to navigate the train. I was still learning that time and walking has it good outcomes. First, I was able to see the streets, the normal day that it passes by. Second, I get to watch the crowd and the diversity it has. Lastly, I get to meet fellow Pinays on the way and they took my pictures too. I don’t have a good camera back then (because I didn’t charge the battery), but they were able to capture that special moment.

Times Square is a known icon of New York. When you see the digital billboards, tall buildings and a busy intersection, you know you’ve achieved the New York goals. It is one of the places where you’ll see different races trying to capture the location, making a living, doing their business and checking out the same things as you do. You can feel assured that even though the place screams ‘overcrowded’, you can bump into a fellow kababayan, or fellow solo-traveler. In a thousand people walking by this place, surprisingly, I didn’t feel alone.

I came here multiple times, mostly to end my day. I just want to see it and luckily, during the length of my stay, my last activity was always near Times Square. I grab some coffee on the way, watch different group of people every time I come by, and check out a nearby store or street market for ‘pasalubong’. It was a busy intersection, indeed. It is so crowded that you can get face to face with a passerby. One even coughed at my face. So lesson learned – wear face mask or just do not face the one in front of you vulnerably.

There’s a platform on the center to either sit or see the place on a bigger perspective. Come night time, it is standing-only. Tour buses also come and go carrying another flock of tourists. And as stressful the place can be at night time, street performers relieves the headaches with some groovy and entertaining performances. Mascots, men and women, offer their products and services on the sidewalk. Some are even persistent. Overall, it is still entertaining with all that is there on the ground and on the sky (digital screens).

I saw a lot of people take videos and stuff, like who will not. One group of teenagers even asked me a question with their camera on. As to what the question is, I can’t remember. I was irritated that time because I can’t take a video. (As I came here every end of the day, my camera/phone battery are always dead). A Japanese man also offered to take my pictures but I was boxed up so it ended on the trash bin. So with the little pictures that I have, I cherish them deeply. Hahaha

There are no other notable moments with my visit to Times Square but I can say that I truly am in New York after being there. I explored the different train stations that I can ride going home and the streets became familiar at one point. I was happy and fulfilled to be in a very touristy place and yet I didn’t feel lonely. Considering it was my first time being out of the country (and I was solo), I just love how it turned out. 

Save your congratulations for later, because I have more stories in store. 😉

Note: This is a late post. This trip was last July 2017.