Along the Way: Empire State of Affairs

Even though some days I'd never admit it - deep down I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. I was once again reminded of my romanticism after going to the top of the Empire State Building for the very first time yesterday.

What's so special about the Empire State Building, you ask. Well for starters it is the tallest building New York City with 102 floors and approximately 1,453 feet tall. The spectacular views of NYC from the 86th and 100th floor observatories will take one's breath away. To be there at sunset is no less than fabulous. And I hear that lights of the city after dark are just as supremely amazing.

Anyway, regardless of statistics, the ESB has been the backdrop and setting of many movies as well. Two of my favorites - 'An Affair to Remember' (1957) with the lovely Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant, and 'Sleepless in Seattle' (1993) starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Now even though it's been years since I've actually sat down and watched these films, I couldn't help but be reminded of their charm and just how magical it made my visit to the Empire State Building. No, no I didn't meet a handsome date, but perhaps it was just as meaningful.

You see, I have a very dear friend whom I randomly met whilst living in the Czech Republic some years ago. She decided to come to Czech to teach English and we were roommates for 5 short months. During this time we laughed and cried and helped each other get through some hard times. She later fell in love, got married, moved to Germany, and I have not seen her since - until yesterday.

Now the interesting part about it was that even though I knew she and her husband were coming to New York and we definitely planned to meet - this meeting at the Empire State Building was all by chance. We were originally to meet in Brooklyn, but because of my tardiness it turned out to be the ESB.

And so, it is not until after our brief, but very lovely reunion that I'm putting this together and savoring the sweet memory.

And of course, it wouldn't be me if I didn't capture some great photos along the way :-)