Have you ever visited New York?
By veejay19
@veejay19 (3589)
India
May 26, 2010 2:15am CST
I had always dream`t of going to New York at least once in my lifetime and my wish did get fulfilled but in a rather strange way.The year was 1983 and i had been sent to Muscat,Oman by my home office since they had started a new office there.I had become afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy, a neuromuscular progressive disease since 1970 and when i joined this office it had progressed considerably.
In Sep 1983 the chairman of our company who had come to Muscat asked me whether i would like to go to America to see if there was any treatment for my problem.I readily agreed since this was a God sent opportunity to visit this country. I first made inquiries by contacting some relatives who lived in New York. After a few days i received their reply saying that they had contacted a doctor known to some of their close friends who was a specialist in this disease. I made all the required arrangements and on 6th Oct 1983 i flew down to New York and landed at JFK International Airport.My relatives who stayed on Mercer Street, Manhattan, not very far from the now destroyed World Trade Center Twin Towers came to meet me.We stayed in New York for 10 days and then shifted to Edison,New Jersey since they had bought a new house there. Fortunately my doctors clinic was close by so i had no problem.
During my short stay in New York the family took me to all the well known tourist sites and drove me around the huge city with its skyscraper buildings. Being an Architect i was quite thrilled and interested in seeing all the different buildings which was quite a bit of education for me. I managed to capture a fair bit of the city on m camera and is now a part of my collection. I am back to my country and also aware that my short stay in this magnificient Metropolis would be my first and last, but it does not matter. I had fulfilled my dream and i was content.
4 people like this
15 responses
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
26 May 10
This is so weird Veejay because back in October of 1983 I was working at the World Trade Center. I worked for a company for 25 years and was there the day the planes flew into them. What a small world we live in. I'm so happy that you were able to fulfill your dream of visiting New York. Have a great day!
@karen1969 (1779)
•
26 May 10
Wow! I can't imagine how terrifying it would have been to be in those Twin Towers on 9-11. It must have been such a terrible experience. I am glad to hear you are okay.
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
27 May 10
I wish we had known each other then lelin.I did not go up the WTC towers as there was no time since i had to travel 45 kms every day to Edison NJ for my clinic for the 10 days that i was in Manhattan. Once i shifted to Edison i could not go back to NY.I did see the towers been knocked down by the planes on TV and am horrified to know that you were there. You had a new birth my friend and God saved you on that terrible day.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
28 May 10
Yes My Friend Veejay, God did save my life that day. I have to tell you that while running down the stairs of the Twin Tower my guardian angel spoke to me in my ear and said "Janet you have to get out of the building" she repeated this at least 3 times. Since the day this happened I believe even more then ever in something bigger then all of us. It was for me a miracle that I will never forget. I too wish I had known you then. That would have been so nice. Have a great weekend!
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
28 May 10
Hurrah, Veejay, and good for you. So glad you fulfilled your dream. Live on with those wonderful memories.
Were you also able to see the (or another) doctor in NY?
I actually was born in New York, and lived there for the first several years of my life before moving out of town. I loved it there, and remember throwing a kids' protest with my older sister when my parents said we had to move (job transfe).
Well, cheers for you reaching your dreams, and I wish you health and more good days to come.
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
28 May 10
Yes, Loen, i did go to the doctor but his clinic was in Edison, NJ which was a 45 min drive exiting NY through the Lincoln tunnel.The gentleman with whom i lived would come home from work and then after a little rest would drive me along with the family to Edison.Fortunately this was only for 10 days as they had purchased and independant house there .So 10 days later we left Manhattan and shifted to Edison bag and baggage and i was able to access my doc whose clinic was a stones throw away.Thanks for the good wishes and your comment.
@AmbiePam (85487)
• United States
27 May 10
Going to New York has been a dream of mine since I was a small child. I always wanted to see a Broadway show, go see a Yankee game, and just absorb everything. I have not been there, and I probably will never be able to go. It's just not financially realistic. But I can always dream.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 May 10
I'm sorry you have that condition.
I'm glad you had that opportunity.
Trips of a lifetime usually come but once for most of us. This sounds like your relatives really went all out for you and really did it right.
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
27 May 10
I live in New York State and I have visted NYC. I love it there just the shopping part anyways. I go there for sport games too though. I don't whats so great about NY but I dont mind where I live. Nice quiet neighborhood!
@yuansplace (543)
• Switzerland
26 May 10
Well I was never there yet and I really wanted to visit there when I have the chance. First is to get a visa and enough money to travel. Second is to consider the places in New York where to visit. Third is not to forget camera to take memories while in New York. I have relatives in New York and hopefully I can visit them in two years time. It will be a dream come true for someone like me to see a wonderful place like NY. I hope to be there. Let us dream.
@enola1692 (3323)
• United States
26 May 10
I am from Boston an moved to Florida then to South Carolina an been to New York a few times on my way to visit Boston an i liked what I seen an tasted the food was great but I guess I am a country girl in heart I love South Carolina I am close to the mountains now so its a site to seeI am sorry you had such a short visit there
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
26 May 10
I am happy for you that you got to fulfill your wish to visit New York, NY, but sorry that it took contacting a disease to get you there. I learned something today about MD. I had always thought that a person was born with it.
I, somehow, contracted another neurological disease, multiple sclerosis, rather late in life. People sometimes confuse MS and MD, but they are two different diseases and are, to my knowledge, not related.
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
26 May 10
I would love to see New York someday. The museums and theaters would be great. I enjoy architecture as well. I am glad you got to go and see your dream place. What a wonderful thing. Are you still working as a architect? I am glad you were able to see it no matter how short a stay. Sounds like a great trip!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
26 May 10
I have never been to New York and it is on the list of places I would like to visit in this lifetime. It is a shame the World Trade Centre Twin Towers are gone but not as horrific as the lives lost there. It sounds like your family made sure you enjoyed your stay and got to visit some great spots. I am sorry about your Muscular Dystrophy, I hope you are doing okay and I am so pleased you got to make the journey of a lifetime!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 May 10
I have visited New York City. It was back in 1998. I was in the USA for work. I worked in a ski resort on the West Coast of the country for four months and then travelled across to New York via lots of different National Parks and famous sight seeing places.
Unfortunately we ran out of time and had to leave the country so we could only stay in New York for two days. In that time we stayed in Times Square in Manhattan and visited The Empire State Building, The Statue Of Liberty and various other famous streets around the city. I did see the World Trade Centre Twin Towers too and we thought about going up to the top of them, but then decided not to as we did not have much time. We spent some time in Central Park which was great. I would have liked to have seen more of the park. It is so incredibly large that we only saw a small area of it.
It is funny that you should ask this question today as I spent the day yesterday with an author from the USA who grew up in Brooklyn in New York and has that famous strong New York accent. 
How are you going with the Muscular Dystrophy these days?
How are you going with the Muscular Dystrophy these days? @thekelz (277)
• United Kingdom
26 May 10
I went to New York in September 2008 and it ROCKS. It's the best city in the world, so much to see so much to do. I went to the Empire State building, got the ferry to staten island so I could get a close up of the statue of libety. Went to ground zero which was quite surreal. So a play just off broadway, I did so many things and there is still loads I didn't do. Definately going to try to get back, maybe one christmas time, when it snows that would be good
@kae06_tigger (86)
•
26 May 10
it was my dream to visit new york to see my mom again :) really miss her so much :(
@karen1969 (1779)
•
26 May 10
I am pleased to hear you fulfilled your dream and got to visit New York. I would love to go there one day. I would love to see a play in New York and look round the shops and see all the famous sights there. I have not been outside Europe yet but one day, I do want to go to the USA. I'd love to go to Los Angeles too and see Hollywood and all the film locations. Disney would be another great place to visit.
