A Day in New York City

By Ryan Reinhardt

On Saturday the 22nd of November, Student Development organized a day trip to New York City. A charter bus to the city and a ticket to the Museum of Modern Art were provided to students who paid $20 and registered in advance. Students had about 7 hours in the city to do as they chose.

As someone who had never been to New York City, these nearly 7 hours felt like they had warped time.

Hours whirled by as my steps mingled through the crowds of sidewalks and buildings, yet minutes carried the weight of days as I observed precious paintings, striking architecture, or people simply going about their day.

I enjoyed works by Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and Jackson Pollock, among others. I reveled in the sun setting over the city from the top of the Empire State Building. Being around so many people, conversations, and interactions was exhilarating and energizing.

No matter how I experienced these hours, in the end, I hungered for another day in New York City. The life, energy, and vigor I felt in a few hours were so different from the feelings that I have grown accustomed to from living in predominantly rural areas. This difference at times can be overwhelming or anxiety inducing, but, for me, being in metropolitan areas is ultimately rewarding.

Ultimately, I never would have been introduced to these experiences without day trips like this being organized by various groups at Wilson College. For $20 and a few dollars for a meal, trips like these can change the way you see the world and the fundamental way you experience yourself, much like they have for me.