From Times Square Lights to Jersey City Nights

Kyna Nair
Mar 31
3 min read

A trip that was magical, chaotic, unforgettable… and yes, passport-losing.

There are trips that feel like a chapter. And then there are trips that feel like a whole plot twist in your life.

New York was the second kind.

From rainy Times Square nights to quiet Jersey City sunsets, and the moment I realized I’d lost my passport in the middle of Manhattan, this trip had everything. And honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing.

UNGA Mornings & My “I’m Really Here” Moment

You know those dreams that feel too big when you first say them out loud? Standing in front of the giant #UNGA sign… that was the moment mine didn’t feel big anymore, it felt real.

The chilly New York air, the mist over the skyline, the heavy coat, everything felt cinematic. Then I stepped inside the United Nations General Assembly Hall, and the golden wall literally took my breath away.

Sitting where world leaders sit, walking the same aisles diplomats walk, wearing my pass like it was the most precious thing I owned, it was surreal. A quiet little “you made it” moment.

Times Square: Neon, Rain & Chaos

Times Square in the rain hits different. The lights reflect on the wet pavement, taxis honk like it’s part of the soundtrack, and the whole world feels awake even if you’re exhausted.

And then… the drama started.

I reached for my passport, and it wasn’t there.

If there is one place on Earth where you do NOT want to lose anything, it’s Times Square. My heart literally dropped to my shoes. But somehow, even in that maze of people and flashing screens, I found the help I needed. Full story coming next in my “Passport Lost in NYC” guide, stay tuned.

NYC Days: Pizza, Parks & Pretty Little Moments

After the chaos, the city softened.

Washington Square Park was full of guitar music, sunshine, and people just enjoying being alive. I sat on a bench and just let myself breathe.

Then came the legendary New York pizza slices, the kind that fold in your hand and drip cheese like a warning label. The BBQ chicken slice? Probably life-changing.

Inside the Cathedral, the gold glow made everything feel hopeful again. Even if you’re not religious, the peace there feels like a warm hug.

Central Park: Quiet Skies & Soft Thoughts

Central Park in winter is underrated. Bare trees. Grey skies. Soft ripples on the lake. It’s the kind of quiet that makes you stop and think, and maybe feel just a little poetic. On Bow Bridge, wrapped in my pink jacket, the city felt gentler than ever.

Jersey City Nights: The Calm Across the River

If Manhattan is the heartbeat, Jersey City is the exhale. I wasn’t expecting the sky to look like a painting, but it did, soft pink clouds melting into glass towers. The city reflections on the Hudson looked unreal.