Calgary is a great city. It has everything you could want in a metropolitan centre including scenery, people, architecture and commerce. There aren’t many better places to be in this world but Calgary plays in the minor league of cities compared to my favourite, New York City. Tomorrow, Mary will make her first trip to NYC and I will make my umpteenth. New York is a fantastic city.

 

This trip is special for me in a few ways. Firstly, I get to share the experience with Mary and see, feel and smell the city through her perspective. I have done almost everything you should do in that city but I haven’t done it from a romantic perspective. I can’t think of a greater backdrop for romance than there. Secondly, I get to see the big city in the winter and through the holidays. This city is electric at the best of times and even more so at Christmas. Lastly, Mary and I get to knock one off the ole’ bucket list. We get to stand with a million of our closest friends and bring in the New Year under the giant ball in Times Square. There are things you do in your life that you look back on and think, “Holy shit, we actually did that!” This is surely going to be one of the those moments that we tell people about for a lifetime. It won’t come without it’s interesting scenarios though.

 

If you have ever read anything about this experience, it is not an easy day. A million plus people jammed into a small space creates it’s own challenges. If you hate crowds, being jostled and shoved, conversing with strangers and frankly standing on your feet for 9-12 hours, this is torture for you. That would explain why “only” 40+ million people have ever taken on the experience from across the globe over the years. To my eyes, those experiences are what make this so interesting to me. I will be completely enthralled with the mass of humanity who have come from everywhere to celebrate a new beginning. I want to enjoy as many of their stories as possible because we all have our reasons for being there. Mine is just less interesting. I want to see it with my eyes and ring in the year hanging out with Dick Clark’s ghost.

We have some challenges to overcome though. The cold will be a factor as NYC is not exactly balmy this time of year. Try packing a suitcase that ranges from boots to suits to everything in between. We will stay warm no matter what. The real issue is surviving the day without being able to use the bathroom. You have little choice as there are no public restrooms (nor could there be even enough) for the million people. The rule is simple. With all the security that exists and the masses, if you leave to pee, you are gone for the night with your spot taken by some dude with a bad hat from some country you have never heard of. No point complaining about it. Either dehydrate your bladder or get creative with your ability to whizz in a bottle in the middle of a crowd. I know Mary is worried about it and I am too. My bladder isn’t what it used to be. Stay tuned for the sordid details.

We are going to have a great time. We don’t get to enjoy holidays often where it is just the two of us so I plan to enjoy the time. We will see some of the greatest historical sites in the world and do it all within this concrete jungle. Stay tuned for daily updates from our adventures around the city, the people we meet and the moments that only New York, New York can offer.

Marco