NYC: Un verano en Nueva York 🌇🗽

Before we start off… lets just note that I take being a city girl, VERY personally.

So it was only right to take my talents from the largest city in North America (CDMX) to the one and only, New York City. 🍎

“of all places,
why New York?”

I got this question a few times lol With the currently ability to experience life anywhere… why NYC?

Well, why not?

I typically visit NYC about 1-2 times a year, it’s the only other city outside of Miami that I’ve ever TRULY considered to potentially become my home. I have traveled all around the country and no other cities have given me the same feeling.

But the thing was – I was only ever in NYC for 2-4 days at a time… quick weekends, popping in and out – of course everything is easy to romanticize at that limited capacity.

So that’s what this trip was about! To see if it was something I truly wanted one day.

10 days, just me, myself and New York City. ✨

where I stayed:

Two of my dearest friends live up in the city – so I was fortunate enough to spend a few days with each of them and crashed at their places for a couple days when I got to NY!

I stayed with them in Brooklyn and in Jersey City.

For the majority of the trip I wanted to have my own space, so I booked an AirBnb in Brooklyn to fully immerse and experience life in NYC.

and uh… yeah lugging 2 suitcases up a 3 story walk up definitely gave me that OG NY experience for sure… I still haven’t mentally recovered from that LOL

My AirBnb was in a beautiful neighborhood near Downtown Brooklyn. I had access to multiple train lines, which made it so easy for me to head into the city as needed! (I still got lost though 💀)

what I got into!

Anyone who has been here for a bit knows, I’m here for a good time not a long time!

& if you’re new here, Hi 🙂 My name is Dyani and I’m a girl who just loves to do things, that is all.

NYC has SO much to do – that I spent 10 days and barely made a dent.

I wanted to stray away from your typical “NYC Must-Do’s” … if one more person told me to go to the Statue of Liberty I was going to block them.

I wanted local, chill, creative, immersive experiences. I truly feel that I was able to give myself exactly that.

Let’s get into it!

Day 1:

• Morning walk at the Brooklyn Bridge
  • Okay I know I just said I didn’t want to do the typical tourist things… but I hadn’t seen it, in all of my years of coming to NYC!
  • I started my morning here with a morning walk, journal session, nice coffee, and intention setting for my trip.
• Family Day
  • I met up with my cousins for a bit in Manhattan to grab happy hour at “The Ready Rooftop” it was okay, overall rating 7/10
  • But then we grabbed some Mango ice cream at H-Mart andddd 10/10!
• Din Din
  • Shukette Chelsea is a MUST!
  • I met up with my girl Lilo and felt like I was in an episode of The Bear, beautiful restaurant, delicious mediterranean food, 10/10 bar tender with all natural cocktails and wine. I can’t wait to go back!

Day 2:

• On this day, I drove from Queen’s, New York to Hoboken, New Jersey… at 5AM. I just would like to say that after doing this drive, I can confidently say I can do anything.
• Morning Sunrise @ Hoboken Waterfront
  • I caught a beautiful sunrise with the best view of New York City.
    • Moments like these always put my life into perspective, they make me grateful to be alive and grateful to be able to give myself these experiences.
• After this I met with my girl Annette and slept for HOURSSS – that drive drained me
• Pier 13 Hoboken
  • We came for happy hour and had dinner at Lola’s Tapas Bar – a spanish tapas bar that gave us delishhh (and strong) sangrias togo which fueled our monthly “Partynextdoor is so misunderstood” debate – but this time in person. #LongDistanceBesties

Day 3:

• This day was for my multifaceted girls! Who love a lil wellness moment but also a lil wreckless moment
• Started the day off with Yoga at Urban Souls in Hoboken 🧘🏽‍♀️
• Neighbors Studio Summer Festival @ Hamilton Park
  • Let’s talk about community really quick – one of the things that constantly draws me to NY/NJ is the culture. That feeling everyone talks about… is due to the community that builds *and shows up* for each other.
  • I found this event through one of my sorority sisters from here who I always kept in touch with. One of those people who you may not be the closest to – but always shows love. This time it was my turn to do the same! She was a part of the collective that put this event together for their community and it was a huge success! I left feeling motivated and inspired to do the same for mine back home. Proud of you Lini! xo, Nani
• Wine for me BK
  • A WINE party?? C’mon. I’m there.
  • This party was in Brooklyn and happens once a month. We had a time! All natural wines served, great music, impeccable vibes and I met my fav creator. Win.
• Toñitas
  • Como dijo Benito “un shot de cañita en casa de Toñita, PR se siente cerquita” 🏝️
  • From the heat, to the crowded room, the salsa blasting – Toñita’s brings a little piece of the island to the city. It is the last Latin owned social club in Williamsburg. An originally predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood in NY, prior to gentrification pricing the community out of the neighborhood. So you know we had to show up for her! $4 drinks, beers, and cash only.
  • It was veryyy crowded so I’d suggest getting there relatively early to manage the crowds.

Day 4

• Dominican Day Parade
  • Coincidentally my stay lined right up to the parade! From pica pollo being given away, dembow blasting and catching Yailin – we had so much fun.
• 1st Yankee’s Game!
  • Since the Marlin’s are just… – I’ve been a self proclaimed Yankee fan as of this day.
  • Met up with my girl Dahiana and her family at the game!
• The cost of the tickets were reasonable and definitely something I’d add to your trip if you have the time to head to the Bronx.
• Dyckman Street
  • Sunday’s in Uptown are otherworldly – you’d swear it was late night on Saturday but its actually just 4pm on Sunday.
  • We got a bite to eat at Inwood Bar & Grill and spent the rest of the day dancing at El Jefe NYC! If Michael, Dahiana’s bf, wasn’t Dominican by then, he sure is now.

Day 5:

• First solo day in NYC! Ah!
  • I managed to cross from Jersey to Manhattan without getting lost who is sheeee
• I spent the day doing the following:
  • MoMa – Museum of Modern Art
    • got lost in here for hourssss
  • McLaren’s – Bar that inspired How I met your mother
    • this healed something in me lol
  • Met for sunset Happy Hour @ Leonessa
    • Hugo Spritz me foreverrrr
  • Dinner at Brooklyn Chop House for NY Restaurant Month

Day 6:

This day I wanted to stay in Brooklyn, and simply just draw.

• I headed over to “Drawing Room” a gorgeous coworking space for artists in Williamsburg.
  • This space had everything you could need to create whatever you wanted! I came with my own supplies and got to sketching. The calmness I felt while I was there was serene. I loved being in a space where everyone was working toward something that expressed their creativity.
  • It made me realize that we don’t have these spaces in Miami, and how that needs to change! I’m putting it here as a mark of accountability – I will lead and create an event of some sort (don’t know what yet lol) that will foster community and allow for creative expression. I eventually hope to have a physical space for that, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Day 7:

• Today I wanted to shop!
• NYC being one of the fashion capitals of the world, the people here have such a unique and bold sense of style. I am still working on developing my own and with that, I wanted to try things out in the stores here. I found some pretty solid pieces in a couple vintage thrift stores in BK!
• Brooklyn Museum
  • After a full day of shopping and a rainy afternoon, I popped into the Brooklyn Museum for a few hours to wind down. Museum curation is something that has peaked my interests in the recent years, it always amazes me how curators design a space that effortlessly flows and tells a story with art. I hope to one day dabble in that space.

Day 8:

This might’ve been my favorite day on this trip.

• When I said I wanted different experiences in New York, I meant ones like these! My favorite thing about the city is the accessibility you have to everything… like what’s a girl like me, from Miami, Florida doing in upstate New York? Frolicing. That’s what.
• Day trip to Cold Spring, NY
  • Start at Grand Central Station – get a ticket for the Metro North Railroad (~$36 RT)
  • They have greatttt food options at the station, I’d recommend getting there early. I picked up a coffee and yogurt then left on the 8:30AM train. (Trains leave roughly every hour)
  • Ride the train and get off on the Cold Spring stop (1.5 hrs)
  • The stop leaves you right on Main Street!
    • Shopping, coffee shops, vintage stores, restaurants
  • Walk ~15 mins to Hudson Highlands Gateway
    • Access to multiple hiking trails from easy – more advanced
  • I took the hike to Little Stony Point, took in the scenery, journaled and reflected.
  • Walk to the Cold Spring pier and get ice cream from Moo Moo’s creamery and head back home.
• Jazz Bar in Brooklyn
  • After a lovely cold shower and nap – I met up with a friend at Bar Bayeux, an intimate local Jazz bar with a live band. This experience was straight out of a movie, I loved it. +the pisco cocktails were everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

Day 9:

Pop-Up Photoshoot:

The Self-Portrait Project was hosting a pop up on the Lower East Side, in which you can have a full photoshoot for free! So I had to make my way there.

When I arrived, the line wasn’t long at all – but what I later learned was that there was no time limit… so you can take as long or as little time needed to get your picture. As nice as that is, its not ethical when you have a crowd of people waiting outside for hours but digress. I was in too deep.

Once I got situated inside, the crew was incredibly kind and the process was simple. BUT LORD – when I tell you I was stumped a bit, models… hats off to you. To take timeless photos in a room filled with people is nervewrecking. I wasn’t tooo crazy about how they came out but after spending an entire day doing this, they simply had to make do lol One of my pictures will be a part of their gallery exhibitions and I loved the concept 🙂

Last NYC Sunset

• DUMBO – Timeout Market
  • I loved the Brooklyn Bridge View and took advantage of the gorgeous pink sky sunset to appreciate my last evening in NYC.

Day 10:

• Café con Libros, BK

I’ve recently started reading more and have had this bookstore on my list! Coincidentally a quick 10 min walk from where I was staying. On my last morning I knew I had to go.

This book store is owned by Afro-Latine women from Panama. I love supporting locally owned businesses that give back to our communities and they have consistently supported multiple black,brown & latin authors in their endeavors so I highly recommend you check them out if you visit. 🙂

reflections

A common theme some of you may noticed is that I always have my journal on me!

Especially on my solo adventures – it allows me a space to express myself, my thoughts… good or bad in their rawest form.

When looking back at what I wrote in while New York, I actually made a list of reflections (Gosh, I love when I set myself up for success unknowingly LOL)

1. Turns out, I can’t live in New York😂
   • At least not forever. I feel that I could spend a year or two and I would, if the right opportunity presented itself. I would never say never! But what this made me realize is that, if I’m moving… it’s to a new country. But, we can talk about that later.
   • I love NYC, I feel connected to it in ways words can’t explain. It inspires me, I love its vibrancy & energy – it will always be a special place for me. I constantly come here and am amazed by the community and its people.
2. The Power of Community
   • I *personally* feel like the reason so many people want to move to NYC is the community. The way people gather, the way people show up, the way the city almost makes you become that person.
   • These things exist because someone chose to create it for their community, and the community shows up. This made me reflect inward, I carry Miami with me in so much of what I do and who I am. So why can’t I create something in my city? Surprise surprise… I can. & I will. I’m excited. All it in its time.
3. I’m proud of myself.
   • Every choice I have made up to this point came with a sacrifice, but one that was worth what was on the other side. When people ask me how I’ve been post leaving : work/traveling/sabbatical life – my genuine answer is that I feel zen.
     • A chronic over thinker, someone who anxiety knows oh too well, constant headaches, high functioning depression – feeling calmness. For the first time in years… all because I decided to take a step back, leave what no longer served me and figure out what was important to me.
     • I am grateful to be where I am now mentally and emotionally, I am grateful to have been able to make this decision for myself. I know it will pay its dividends in the future. It already has.

I move through my life like it is a movie and romanticize it so much because it TRULY is.

When I landed in NYC, during my first morning walking around Brooklyn, “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield (of ALL songs) came on my spotify shuffle randomly, but I let it play because it felt like the start of my very own 2000s RomCom movie, and the words encompassed everything I was feeling in that moment.

It is not an exaggeration to say this song came on at least 10 times, in the randomest moments over the course of this trip… From restaurants, to the train, to stores, it was actually kinda nuts.

But the moment that really solidified this movie life of mine was at the bookstore… I found a book that I had been searching for by a Dominican author and AS SOON AS I GRABBED IT I hear the beginning of the song. I couldn’t believe it – I had to record to send it to my friends.

All of these little signs always remind me, I’m a lucky girl. Not only has my story only just begun, the rest is still unwritten… and it only gets better. 💌

Thank you guys for reading,

xo,

Nani in the cityyyy ✨