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December 26, 2008

Christmas Night at the South Street Seaport

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I was more excited about Christmas, it seemed, than anyone else in my home this morning, more so even than the kids. It took my forever to fall asleep as I thought about the several boxes my husband had placed with my name on them underneath the tree. I thought about the excitement on my boys’ faces when they opened their gifts. My excitement was almost unbearable, but somehow I managed to fall asleep.

When my 3- and 2-year-old crawled up into our bed at 3am as they often do, I hoped that they would stay up and demand to open gifts, but instead they curled up, one with me and the other with his daddy, and they both fell asleep. I couldn’t this time, and when I noticed the faint glare of morning light peeping through my bedroom window I began to stir up the little ones.

“Wake up!” I whispered, “Santa came! He put presents under the tree for you!” The boys stirred. My husband lifted his head, looked at me through sleepy eyes and smiled. “Wake up!  Oh my goodness! Soooo many presents!” I continued.  The 3-year-old mumbled, “No, sleep.” The 2-year-old just said, “No!”

I couldn’t believe it! Kids who sleep through Christmas morning.  “What has this world come to?” I thought. So I sat up in the bed and like a child sulked at the thought of having to wait two or three more hours till wake up time. Only on Christmas morning would this be a problem for me and only on Christmas morning would this even happen.

But my husband, sensing my eagerness, began to rub the babies and whisper in their ears until both boys, rubbing their eyes, got out of bed and walked out to the living room to stare at the empty plate of cookies “Santa” had eaten, and the gifts he had left behind. Soon after, my 11-year-old joined in and we opened gifts, took pictures, and started playing with our new gadgets and toys, before getting hungry, and thinking about breakfast.

The day in general was lazy and spent at home. Kids playing with toys, or video games. I was figuring out my new camera and my husband relaxed reading or watching tv, both often taking turns calling loved ones far away.

I was loving the city today, because even from home I could sense the wonderfulness of spending the holiday season in New York City. Though rarely will you see a white Christmas here what you will sense is something almost as great: a city all your own. With the sudden migration of New Yorkers to cities a lot warmer, families members a lot farther, or just any other place that’s not here, one can really walk around and feel a sense of calm in the air. Though it is the energy and vibrance of the city that I love so much, I do enjoy these rare moments of peace and quiet as I walk along the streets, and in the parks, through stores, and down blocks. It’s nice, even if just for a moment. Because of course, it is inevitable that at some point you will find the crowds, mostly tourists, and the festivities of the day, happening at one place or another.

We did eventually venture out but not until the sun that gave way to the moonlight. We decided to visit the Christmas tree at the South Street Seaport and take in the views before our favorite day of the year was officially over.

One often hears about the marvelous Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center. Its beauty cannot be denied, with the ceremonial lighting each year ushering the beginning of the Christmas gift giving season. The ice skating rink is probably the most visited in the city, surrounded by numerous crowds, restaurants, and shops galore. These are all things we visit each year, more than once to be precise, but I also enjoys the other locations, just as great and twice as nice especially if forcefully rubbing shoulders with strangers is just not your thing.

photo-15.jpgRockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The kids were happy to get out of the apartment. The breeze was cold once we arrived to South Street. It was perfect. The streets are empty. Couples slowly walked by, smiling and holding hands. Children ran around on the empty cobble stone streets, peeking into the festive holiday windows and closed store fronts. The Christmas tree stood tall and proud, with the empty microphone stands that the holiday chorus left behind.

South Street Seaport TreeSouth Street Seaport Tree

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We walked across the street onto the empty pier. The festive lights decorating the docked boats glistened on the still waters of the East River. The night sky was glimmering with millions of stars, putting to rest the myth that one can never enjoy starry nights in this wonderful city.

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I took a deep breath of the fresh winter air and though I know every corner of the pier by heart, I recorded each second with my new camera as my boys ran about, posed for pictures, tried counting stars, and admired the Brooklyn Bridge’s beauty at night.

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There was festive holiday music playing in the hidden speakers throughout, but no food to eat, no shops to explore into. Most restaurants had closed moments before our arrival, which was fine by us. It is one of those wonderful places that can be peacefully appreciated, if you know when to go.

And for our family, this was the perfect time.  To be able to enjoy a piece of our city, on this beautiful Christmas night, without the hustle and bustle of everyone else. It was the perfect ending to a series of hectic days that led to a morning full of surprises and excitement.

The boys, my husband, and I sat along the dock a bit longer before someone mentioned the word “pizza”. With this and a sudden hunger, we all got up and took one last look at the city lights before happily making our way back home.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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4 Comments
  • Evelyn
    December 30, 2008

    You sound entirely like me with gifts…. if I buy them early, wrap them and hide them, I can't make it! i end up so excited and give them early.. LOL!

    Glad you had a great Christmas!

    Reply
  • Nicole
    December 30, 2008

    I love reading your blogs because the idea of living somewhere like NYC is completely foreign and exciting to me. I live in a very small, forested area, and I never really think about the fact that there are families living in NYC. I always imagine wealthy Manhattan Businessmen/Businesswomen living in fancy high-rises. It's really cool to see what family life is like in NYC. I love all the pictures, too!

    Reply
  • Gloria @ Nose Hair C
    May 16, 2011

    My husband and I are planning a trip to NYC to visit my oldest son and I was wondering what other places to visit during night time to be as lovely as South Street Seaport. Got any suggestions? Looking forward to your response, Thank you!

    Reply
    • Carol Cain
      Gloria @ Nose Hair C
      May 16, 2011

      Hi Gloria — If you like the views of the water, you can head over to the West side of town and take advantage of any of these eateries https://girlgonetravel.com/2010/03/nyc-outdoor-res…

      Or you can go further uptown on the East side of Manhattan and enjoy the walk along the East River park: https://girlgonetravel.com/2009/04/a-lazy-afternoo…

      Or you can cross the majestic Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the same view from across the river: https://girlgonetravel.com/2009/03/revisiting-broo…

      Hope you enjoy your visit to NYC!

      — Carol

      Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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Every time I’m in NYC I feel both a longing for Every time I’m in NYC I feel both a longing for it and a relief to not be living here full time.

I love that there are still communities holding on to remaining close knit, authentic, and supportive of each other. Nowhere anywhere can compete with the diversity - food, people, languages - all of it. 😭

The access to creativity…and if you come in the spring (or in the fall) it’s magic. 

But…there is so much that remains inaccessible to so many. The inequality and economic disparities are glaring and any sense of balance is a dream, with so many living paycheck to paycheck trying to get their heads above water.

Don’t get me wrong. I love it here. I miss it, and feel so damn lucky that I can come and get my fix, see family, visit with friends any time I want without a hassle. It is my city and I’d be mad if someone talked sh*t about it 😂😂 But I get it. It’s tough. But that’s why I love fellow city folks too, because we’re tougher.

Grateful for everything life in the Finger Lakes has gifted us. We remain so happy to have made the move and have built such a dream life there. And also that my city is a short drive away. ♥️

#nyc #lifeinnyc
New York City moment: This poor hawk was just tr New York City moment: 

This poor hawk was just trying to have its breakfast when a large audience not only gathered to watch it, but also proceeded to mislabel it calling it an eagle. The insult. 😂 

One lady to her male partner:
 Her: “Omg. I didn’t know eagles ate other birds!”
Male partner: “Of course eagles do! They are predators!”
Me: 💀💀

#nyclife #nycmoment #nyc
Last night I explored the @tinbuilding located in Last night I explored the @tinbuilding located in the historic South St Seaport of Manhattan on Pier 17. 

This 53,000-square foot, two-story market really is a beautiful culinary destination. Shop for everything from delightful sweets, unique spices and aromatics, olive oils, coffee, and other artisan goods. Eat everything from vegan to seafood, pastas, and meats. Or, like I did, spend time with friends at any one of their eateries.

This marketplace opened in September 28, 2022, by French Chef and restaurant owner Jean-Georges Vongerichten and is helping to bring new life to a beloved NYC neighborhood that has continuously worked to recover after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

I absolutely indulged in shopping at this market, loved my dining experience at Frenchman’s Dough, and can’t wait to go back.

#nyceats #upscalemarketplace #tinbuilding #iloveny
This photo is 12 years old. Hahaha...can you tell? This photo is 12 years old. Hahaha...can you tell? This memory. I had just started blogging not too long before (2008!!!)...and was already experiencing so many accolades, a surge of opportunities, success, and growth. I honestly could not believe my life then; I had entered this space so blindly. I just wanted to share my insights with my family, not realizing it would reach so many more. And I certainly had NO idea how far it would take my family AND me. My goodness.

I recently sent my CV...yup, my whole resume, to someone who requested it, and in doing so, I seriously thought, "Oh, they're not going to think I've accomplished enough in my professional life." Instead, in the following interview, they expressed being in awe of all I have done and continue to do. "You are BUSY!" Though these hardworking-but-never-hard-enough immigrant genes don't always allow me to appreciate all I have accomplished, photos like these take me back to this moment that truly says, "Damn, girl. YOU DID THAT." Thank you to all the readers and followers who uplifted me and my work over these 10+ years and continue to do so. It's been an incredible adventure!
If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext

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