A Weekend in New York City

It has been years—maybe 20—since I spent a Fall weekend in Manhattan. This past one was certainly a standout—Saturday Halloween and the Marathon on Sunday, plus the added special sauce of a magical evening at Cipriani’s across from Grand Central for my best friend’s granddaughter’s wedding. Despite the traffic and the ever-present street repair, the energy of the City was palpable, with Indian Summer weather drawing everyone out of their apartments to enjoy the sunshine. The sidewalks were full of children – and their parents - dressed in costume for trick-or-treating. New York City kids don’t knock on neighbors’ doors; rather, they hit all the street-level businesses that handed out candy all weekend. Many gathered for photos before townhouses decked out with pumpkins and chrysanthemums. Families and friends were meeting up with hugs. The city was aglow.

On Sunday, the eerie early morning quiet was broken by the cheers of the crowds when the first marathon runners started crossing the finish line in Central Park. I recalled when my own children were small enough to sit on my shoulders to watch the race, and how exciting it was simply to observe the athletes as they passed by.
I left the city for the drive back to East Hampton, stopping at Ben’s Kosher Deli along the way for my favorite stuffed cabbage. It was the perfect ending to a New York kind of weekend.