# Winter spirit @ NYC

Christmas is around the corner and before the end of year celebrations begin, I want to share with you some images of the true atmosphere at Christmas in New York, that I have finally had the chance to discover and be a part of, this year…and it is safe to say I have not been disappointed !!!
It was a big first for me, and I was pleasantly surprised by the energy and excitement that invades NY following Thanksgiving. This frenzy is mostly welcome, because we can find that magical aspect of Christmas, in a sort of Disneyland fashion, which for several years now we have completely lost and certainly do not experience in France anymore…

The enormous traditional Christmas tree of the Rockefeller center has been set up , just infront of the little ice rink, installed just in for Christmas ..

The shops and streets all lit up and decorated with fairy lights are beautiful and the shop windows come alive, like Sacks on 5th AV, Tiffany, Lord & Taylor… and the Christmas carols resound all the way to the streets of Brooklyn..

I particularly love the charity volunteers, who are there to raise money and help. They shake their bells and make up all sorts of different choreographies in the entrances and exits of the department stores to collect money for important causes.. Respect!

Of course, I am not the only one to appreciate this unique atmosphere which resides in the Big Apple since Thanksgiving … A crowd of New Yorkers, Americans and tourists come specially to join in this New York wave of madness, hovering with anticipation in front of shop windows and in the streets.. Venturing into places like Rockfeller, Time Square, or in stores like Barneys or Saks, and it is difficult to enjoy a nice stroll amid the insanity. And do not even try to go for lunch or brunch, unless you have the patience of a saint…

To try and escape this bustle, there are always parks .. and ice rinks .. Because New York would not be New York without its temporary ice rinks, that we have seen hundreds of times in romantic movies…I have to agree that it is very dreamy and romantic, especially in November when they have just been installed, and when they are not too busy (which is no longer the case, so can forget about your marriage proposal in the middle of a deserted ice rink.) In spite of the number of skaters and the price, the experience is a must ..

I adore the ice rink in Central Park which is quite large, but very pleasant and surrounded with nature ..

.. and also the rink in Bryant park which is surrounded by a little Christmas market where you can do shopping and have a little snack.. Feels like winter spirit .. Love that feeling 😉

I’m less keen on the one in Rockefeller, which is always soooo crowded .. But its fairy lights and Christmas decorations truly worth it !! It is magical !!!

All good things come to an end however, and after 3 amazing months in NYC it was time for me to return to Paris.
For my last New York evening I went for a lovely walk, soaking in the atmosphere and admiring the magnificent show from Sacks 5^th AV and the Disney castle, which is majestically illuminated and surrounded by the sound of Christmas music. The show was really worth seeing, it was splendid..