A Winter Stroll Witness

Jules Heartly | January 2024

As dawn painted the Manhattan skyline in hues of blue, pink and gold, I embarked on a crisp January morning stroll through its  iconic streets.

 The city, still waking up, felt like a magical haven of tranquility. The brisk air nipped at my nose as I ventured along the avenues lined with towering buildings. 

The distant honking of taxis was replaced by the soothing sound of my footsteps against the pavement. 

Each breath carried a sense of renewal, and the city seemed to exhale its own quiet melody. 

As the sun gradually ascended, casting long shadows on the skyscrapers, I passed by the steaming vents of subway stations, where early risers hurried to catch their trains. 

I love watching the city half asleep, dreaming of a romantic wake up with colorful skies and leafless trees reminding us spring is far away.

I bumped into some stranded tourists looking for their hotel after a night out and others leaving their hotel to experience with me the eye opening of the big city. 

With the first dog walkers stepping into the curve with their canines, oblivious to the street cleaning trucks rushing  to put behind the leftovers of the previous day’s hustle.

There were the usual committed runners, walkers and bikers keeping their bodies happy and fit and their minds at ease.  And the other runners who I could tell by their clothing were taking the first steps towards their New Year’s goals.  Plans  most of them would have forgotten by February, according to the statistics.

I  also saw groups of one person heading probably to their jobs,  their eyes lost in the horizon and their ears covered by headphones,  unable to notice one another. 

Unable to greet anyone. 

Unaccustomed to doing so. 

That is the distant first sign of this ghost crowded city.

Each one ignores each other except for the lunatic that I saw  screaming in the street to every passing soul as if it was a personal fight or an  ongoing disagreement

And perhaps it is 

Definitely for him it was. 

I crossed the street and I saw the traffic was peaking, including the bicycles ridden by white and blue collar workers on their way to start their work day.

I arrived at the coffee shop where the aroma of fresh bagels reminded me once again this is Manhattan although except for the anonymity of the non greeting people it could be any city in the world.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from cozy corner cafes, enticing me to join the locals seeking warmth and caffeine. 

Navigating through the canyons of steel and glass, I discovered hidden gems tucked away in narrow alleys, where art galleries displayed their treasures, and quaint bookstores invited later exploration. 

The city’s heartbeat pulsed with a quiet energy, a serene prelude to the bustling day ahead. 

There had been a silence in the air where all moving parts glided like in a dream. 

People treading the quiet streets.

Homeless already out with their pleading signs. 

Dogs following numerous smells undecided on what direction to go. 

Runners dreaming while their legs kept moving faster and faster. 

Walkers catching a glimpse of the sunrise painting colors in the brand new day sky. 

Coffee shops getting their first customers .

Hotels checking out the early flight customers. 

And so on 

And then suddenly like an alarm clock wailing a siren, the noise came in and the city was up in its full swing.

As the clock neared 9 a.m., the once deserted streets buzzed with activity. Workers in tailored suits hurried past, their breath forming clouds in the chilly air. 

The city had transformed from a tranquil dawn to a vibrant tapestry of urban life, and I marveled at the seamless transition. 

With a heart warmed by the beauty of the winter morning, I concluded my journey through Manhattan’s awakening streets, grateful for the simple yet profound moments that made the city come alive in the early hours of January.

The city has its ups and downs and it keeps evolving, but overall I still like to dream in the city that never sleeps.

I love New York! And I invite you to express your like for it as well. I am looking forward to read your New York tales and share your very own New York experiences.

Thank you for reading my first 2024 blog.

Remember to follow me on Twitter (X), Instagram and TikTok @JBRADIANT