So, I remember that time I was in New York. Everyone kept talking about the new big tower, the tallest one, you know? One World Trade Center. I figured, well, I’m here, might as well go see it, maybe even go up.
Getting there wasn’t too bad. Took the subway down towards the financial district. Lots of people rushing around, as always in that city. Found the place okay, it’s hard to miss, really. Stands out quite a bit.
But man, when I got closer, the crowds. It was just packed. Lines snaking around. And the price to go up? Wow. Made me stop and think for a second. Do I really need to go to the very top? Pay all that money just to say I did it?
I stood there for a good while, just looking up at it. It’s impressive, no doubt about that. Really scrapes the sky. But I saw folks coming out, some looking happy, others just kind of… done. Like ticking off a box.
And I thought back to why I even wanted to go up. Was it for the view? Or just because it was the ‘tallest’? I realized, standing there on the ground, looking up, feeling the buzz of the city around me, that was kind of enough for me.
Maybe it sounds weird, but I decided against going up. Saved myself the money and the crazy long wait. Instead, I just walked around the area for a bit. Saw the memorial pools, which felt more important, honestly. More grounding.
- Walked around the plaza.
- Looked at the names on the memorial.
- Just watched the building from different spots.
Sometimes, I think, we get caught up in needing to do the ‘biggest’ or ‘best’ thing. Go to the highest point, eat at the fanciest place. But that day, just being there, near the tallest tower, felt more real than maybe being crammed in an elevator and looking out a window would have.
It’s funny how things work out. I went there expecting to go all the way up, but ended up finding something more valuable just by staying on the ground and taking it all in differently. Definitely a day I remember. Didn’t need the expensive ticket for that.
